L.L. Bean's Japan Exclusives Are Coming to the US for the First Time Ever
Established in 1992, the outdoor gear purveyor’s Japanese line offers refined silhouettes and honors the brand’s Maine origins.
Maine-based outdoor gear purveyor L.L. Bean is bringing its Japan-exclusive line to the US for the first time since its establishment more than three decades ago. In 1992, the brand opened its first store in Japan, and began designing merchandise catered to the region. Today, as interest in Japanese design surges, L.L. Bean Japan has announced temporary pop-ups offering its products to American shoppers this Spring.
With the key pieces from the Japanese division, the collection has more than 20 styles and colorways, comprising oversized fits, textured materials, and earthen hues with spring accents. Aesthetically, the silhouettes are imbued with the unique perspective of Japanese craftsmanship, while remaining grounded in the brand’s Maine heritage.
Classic L.L. Bean outerwear like canvas work jackets and nylon hooded anoraks are offered in classic outdoor colors with pops of red and dark green. Striped T-shirts are made in spring hues like canary yellow and salmon pink, accompanied by solid graphic tees with wild fishing illustrations and antique L.L. Bean logos.
The collection is a testament to the rich dialogue that continues to thrive between American and Japanese menswear — a unique relationship that has prompted the writing of texts like Ametora: How Japan Saved American Style. L.L. Bean is not alone in this wave, as other Japanese brands like Beams and GU also steadily increased their presence in the US. See the details below for the L.L. Bean Japan Collection pop-ups in New York City and Los Angeles this April:
New York City: 96 North 5th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Friday, April 11 – 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, April 12 – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, April 13 – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Los Angeles: Location TBD
Thursday, April 10 – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday, April 11 – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
