Author: Haruna
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<URGENT NOTICE> Importing Shell Buttons into the US
At ApparelX, we sell shell buttons from japanese button manufacturers. We have recently found out that our customers/ US importers require a US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) permit/license to import shell products, including the buttons we sell. We have inquired with the US FWS’s Office of Law Enforcement to gather details. If you plan… Read more
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Study Session: Topman Kogyo – bias tape manufacturer
We had reps from Topman Kogyo visit our company and hold an in-house study session for us a little bit ago. Even if you haven’t heard of Topman Kogyo, many of you may have seen their Italian color sample book. In this blog, I would like to introduce what kind of company Topman Kogyo is,… Read more
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Preview in Daegu, Textile trade show – Daegu, Korea
Have you ever wondered what Preview in Daegu was like? We went to Preview in Daegu 2025, last week from March 5~7, 2025. It was our first time exhibiting at PID and our second time in Korea. Our first time was exhibiting at the PIS (Preview in Seoul) Aug. 2024. We had assumed that PID… Read more
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PFAS Free Fabric
In this article, I’ll be going over what PFAS is and PFAS free fabric in the context of the Japanese textile industry. What is PFAS? PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of man-made chemicals that have been used in a wide variety of products, including fabrics, due to their ability to repel water,… Read more
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LINGO, Kuwamura Textile
What is Lingo? Lingo is a textile brand proposed by Division 5, Section 1 of Kuwamura Seni, headquartered in Hyogo Prefecture . Kuwamura Seni handles a wide variety of fabrics, but this department handles particularly distinctive fabrics. For more information about Kuwamura Seni, please see this blog. Division 1, Section 2, which we have been handling, is… Read more
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Kuwamura Textile and Banshu Weave
Kuwamura Textile Kuwamura Textile is a long-established textile manufacturer founded in 1928. They are located in Hyogo Prefecture and mainly deal in woven fabrics. Each division handles slightly different fabrics, and ApparelX can arrange fabrics from Section 2 of Textile Division 1. Division 1, Section 2 handles a wide range of fabrics for clothing, such… Read more
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Queen Ace (Kasai) – Introducing woven tape manufacturer
I want to introduce Queen Ace today. We receive inquiries about tape for bags (bag straps) and we are always suggesting this brand. What is Kasai? Founded in 1967, this Osaka-based manufacturer primarily designs, manufactures, and sells tapes. The company originally started out as a wholesaler of sewing thread, but seven years later, it launched a… Read more
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Button manufacturer IRIS’s factory tour
Yajima Factory, Metal Buttons Last year, some of our colleagues were invited to tour 3 of Iris’s factories. In this article, we’ll go over their Yajima metal button factory. The Yajima Factory is the factory headquarters. Here, we have a metal production department where they manufacture and plate metal buttons.The company sells many custom-made items… Read more
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ASTOR, a German Apparel Parts Manufacturer
Create your own original covered buckle! What is ASTOR? ASTOR is a German apparel parts manufacturer with a reputation for high quality products and reliability. Astor Berning was founded in Germany in 1919. They were originally a button manufacturer, but have since expanded their product line and now supply a variety of apparel materials.Including apparel… Read more
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Long-established ribbon manufacturer, Telala (Inoue Ribbon)
Do you know Inoue Ribbon (Telala), a leading tape and ribbon manufacturer in Japan?Inoue Ribbon handles a wide variety of products such as ribbons, tapes, cords, and lace.In this article, I would like to explain Inoue Ribbon’s products and their features. What is Inoue Ribbon Industry Co., Ltd.? Inoue Ribbon Kogyo Co., Ltd. is a… Read more