COTE MER Bleached Guess Denim Trucker with Mosaic Obi Brocade Back and Rib-Knit Cuffs, Size L–XL

COTE MER opens the back of a heavily bleached Guess trucker and replaces it with a mosaic of metallic Japanese brocade, then rebuilds the sleeves from obi fragments and logo panels. Handmade in Japan, this one-of-one jacket sits between boro philosophy, punk deconstruction and wearable textile art.

The Piece

This is not a conventional jacket decorated with a few patches. Its original silhouette has been substantially dismantled and rebuilt: the sleeves are assembled from individually arranged brocade panels, black COTE MER textile sections and ribbed knit cuffs, while the denim back has been opened beneath the shoulder yoke and replaced with a large mosaic of metallic Japanese textiles in vintage kimono and obi styles.

The front preserves the architecture of a classic Guess denim trucker: pointed collar, metal button closure, double flap chest pockets, vertical seaming and a straight cropped hem. An irregular bleach wash leaves cloud-like ivory passages across the shoulders, collar, chest and lower body, some areas holding a deeper blue, others softened to pale mineral tones, an almost ink-washed ground for the textile work.

From the front, the sleeves are the strongest element, each a succession of brocade fragments in black, gold, silver, bronze, olive, orange and muted rose, from dense geometric patterns to scrolling florals and luminous metallic fields. Long black panels carry the COTE MER name in oversized white letters, and black rib-knit cuffs give a bomber-like finish.

The back is the principal composition. The original denim remains across the upper yoke, while a rectangular patchwork panel extends almost to the lower waistband, its sections set like architectural tiles in alternating fields of gold and silver, vermilion and burnt orange, black and charcoal, purple and royal blue, bright green and pale sage, ivory, bronze and muted brown. The asymmetry keeps it from feeling mechanical, and as the arms move the logo sleeves reveal and obscure parts of the brocade, so the jacket behaves like a changing textile installation.

American denim heritage, Japanese obi weaving and streetwear typography coexist in one garment, and the tension between them is the heart of the design. Unlike mass-produced kimono-print clothing, it uses real woven fragments with dimensional threadwork, and no second example could share its combination of base denim, obi sections, wash and reconstruction decisions. It pairs well with black wide-leg trousers, minimal dark denim, cropped or tapered pants, heavy boots or avant-garde sneakers, and plain monochrome layers.

Details

• Maker: COTE MER (designer / remake label)
• Line: Reconstructed denim trucker jacket; Japanese designer remake / wearable textile art
• Era: Contemporary, likely late 2010s or 2020s
• Origin: Japan; care label reads Made in Japan and identifies J.S. International
• Material: Cotton denim (Guess base); Japanese obi brocade; kimono textile; metallic woven thread; polyester textile; black jersey fabric; rib-knit cuffs; metal buttons
• Color: Bleached indigo blue; accents in gold, silver, black, red, orange, purple, green and bronze
• Size: Suggested fit L–XL (relaxed)
• Measurements: Body width near lower chest / hem approx. 56 cm / 22 in · Sleeve length from collar area to cuff approx. 78 cm / 30.7 in (measured flat)
• Closure: Original metal button front
• Pockets: Two buttoned chest pockets
• Cuffs: Black rib knit
• Base garment: Guess denim trucker-style jacket, identifiable by the triangular Guess hem patch, small branded chest tab and original metal hardware

Condition

• Good pre-owned reconstructed condition with strong visual presence.
• The denim shows extensive bleaching, tonal variation, fading and softened coloration as part of the intended design; the brocade panels vary naturally in texture, thickness, sheen and age.
• Light creasing, minor surface irregularity and modest textile-edge wear may be present throughout.
• Visible stitch transitions, former label-placement marks, asymmetric seams and left-right sleeve differences are consistent with handmade reconstruction.
• Metal buttons, front pockets, denim body, reconstructed sleeves and back panel appear well integrated; the photographs record the exact textile placement, washing and condition.

Motif Glossary

The patchwork draws on the broad vocabulary of formal kimono and obi weaving, presented as fragments from different textiles rather than one continuous scene.

• Kikko-inspired geometry: nested hexagons after the tortoiseshell, long associated with longevity, endurance and stable fortune; the central black-and-gold field of concentric hexagons anchors the back
• Floral brocade: stylized chrysanthemums, peony-like blossoms, scrolling leaves and layered petals, evoking seasonal beauty, refinement, prosperity and renewal
• Karakusa: gold scrolling foliage on purple, green and dark grounds, the endlessly extending vine of continuity, vitality and growth
• Geometric borders: key-fret designs, stepped lines, interlocking shapes and bold striped curves that lend a ceremonial, almost armored structure
• Metallic weaving: metallic-wrapped threads imitating gold and silver leaf, shifting from antique shimmer to bright flashes under different light

Reconstruction Record

The jacket was built around the available textile fragments, so its exact arrangement cannot be repeated. Heavy denim, tightly woven brocade, metallic thread and soft black textile give a deliberately varied hand and a sculptural, layered quality.

• Extensive bleach and acid-wash treatment
• Removal and opening of sections of the original denim body
• Lower back replaced with Japanese brocade patchwork
• Completely rebuilt mixed-textile sleeves with black COTE MER graphic inserts
• Rib-knit cuffs added to the sleeve ends
• Individually cut and assembled kimono or obi textile fragments; reinforced seams joining fabrics of different weights
• Original collar, pockets, button placket and denim yoke retained

Authenticity & Care

Built on a genuine Guess denim trucker (triangular hem patch, branded chest tab, original hardware); the interior Japanese care label names J.S. International and states Made in Japan. Every piece is examined and documented in Japan before dispatch and is offered with the Japonista authenticity guarantee.

Delivery from Japan

Packed by hand in Japan and shipped insured and tracked by EMS or an equivalent express service. Import duties and taxes, where applicable, are payable on arrival. Returns follow our published policy.

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