Japanese leather brand blackmeans was launched in 2008 and is inspired by Japanese motorcycle and punk culture. Designer Yujiro Komatsu partnered with a leather manufacturer in Gifu which asked him to open a factory in Tokyo and start his own brand in order to compete with cheaper, low-quality materials coming in from abroad. With this, blackmeans is committed to all products being 100% made in Japan. With great popularity among fashion communities in Japan, the brand has also done collaborations with international brands like 1017 Alyx 9sm and John Elliott.
