The Cream of the Crop... An American in Japan

In My opinion, as I've said before, the best Vintage Reproduction items are being made in Japan. John Lofgren an America native, has transplanted to another country because of his passion for detail and quality. He is the last of a dieing breed left amongst the looms of history. Recently he started his own clothing line in which I own a few of his items and LOVE them. They are made of very high quality, high detail, timeless, traditional, and superior. I can personally guarantee and recommend anything he sells because he goes to great lengths to make or find clothing of very high quality.
Here's some more info on Mr. Lofgren. Do yourself a favor buy one of his products and you will be hooked!

John Lofgren moved to Japan in the latter 1990s to work as a vintage buyer for a firm that ran a chain of vintage & used clothing shops, and also to operate my own vintage shop. The company he was working for eventually closed as it became difficult to supply quality product to all their shops. He stayed the course and eventually got into some brands that remade vintage style clothing. This lead him into making some items, the first being jewelry, then finally clothes. 


"Moving to Japan wasn't an easy decision of course, but I've had little regrets and the country has endeared itself to me. I've traveled all over the world, there's no place like it here. I've been in Japan over a fourth of my life". -John Lofgren 

A California native and long time resident of Japan, John Lofgren is the creative force behind the Lofgren brand.
John’s vision for a brand began when he first ventured into a thrift store in the early 1980s and sensed a deep connection with the style and quality of another time, a time when substance and tradition were considered important and pride was taken in craftsmanship and excellence. 
The Lofgren brand embodies these values, timeless, traditional, and superior, like an old pair of blue jeans. It’s about garments designed for a customer who understands the difference between fashion and eternal style, who recognizes the graceful fading of indigo or the gentle patina of time on an old leather jacket. It’s a brand that connects the customer to an exclusive circle between the designer, textile maker and craftsman and allows for a rugged individualism in the wearing of the product.
Drawing inspiration from 19th to mid 20th century American style and an archive of original vintage items, the Lofgren brand handcrafts their classic and enduring products in Japan using artisans to construct a collection that has a sense of history underpinned by the highest level of quality in manufacture and materials. 

"Producing our items in Japan ensures a high level of quality and the customer can rest assure that no child or slave labor is used. Every person involved in making my brand is paid a fair living wage. The end result means less monetary profit for myself, but it really isn't just about making money, right? If my small company keeps skilled people working, food on a person's table, rents covered and loans being paid off, how is that not a wonderful profit?" -John Lofgren

Johnny's vintage shop shop opened in 2000 and was called Honky Tonk (thus the company name H.T.C., or Honky Tonk Co.). When he started dealing in new, reproduced items only he thought it was time for a change so I opened Speedway, which reflects my love of vintage cars, motorcycles and planes. Speedway serves customers from all over the world and I think we have a great reputation for quality service. 
 
www.speedway-shop.com
Speedway on Rakuten
Speedway on eBay 

His Japanese sites are always stocked with the latest items, eBay gets a little neglected because of high fees and a simple lack of time. Anything on his Japanese site can be purchased directly from him by emailing shopatspeedway@hotmail.com

Lofgren hand selecting fabric.