Allevol: Easy Americana and other passions

Allevol is a small clothing label run by Taka Okabe. It started in 2003 when Taka, newly in London and working in IT, wanted dark, straight selvedge jeans and couldn't find ones he liked. He used Japanese connections to make his first denim and later expanded into T‑shirts and other casual pieces. Because Taka is director at Clutch and Allevol appears there, the brand can feel like a house label to some, but it predates Clutch by many years.

# Design approach: update, not reproduce Allevol doesn't focus on exact reproductions of vintage garments. Instead, Taka takes classic pieces and makes modest, functional changes. Examples in the range show that changes are practical rather than stylistic gestures: small adjustments to fit or the addition of a removable hood to a traditional duffle coat.

The result tends to be garments that look familiar to Americana and repro fans but wear lighter and softer than purist repro brands. That applies to denim, sweats, and jackets in the Allevol range. Taka's view is that some mid-century pieces were themselves lighter, and Allevol's pieces often echo that proportion and feel.

# Notable fits and pieces

• Roku Roku jean: an Allevol fit that began as a 501-style reference but evolved with different rises and proportions. The back rise is higher than a classic 1960s 501 to suit people with smaller seats and to create a different overall shape.

• Easterner jacket: an updated Lee‑style denim jacket, cropped with a large chest and two chest pockets. The black denim example noted is lighter and less stiff than many repro denim jackets.

# Trainers that caught attention A recently offered Allevol German army trainer (GAT) drew particular praise. It is made with veg‑tanned leather both inside and out and sells for £195. Taka sourced manufacturing contacts through Slovakia connections — he has made T‑shirts there and knows manufacturers in that region. Allevol has also produced GATs in colors including purple suede and brown chromexcel, but classic white remains a preferred option.

# How Allevol operates and its range mix

Taka develops items he personally wears, and he describes his own style as laidback with roots in streetwear and vintage. This personal approach shapes the collections, keeps runs modest, and gives Allevol a practical, quietly curated character.

# Where Allevol sits Allevol sits between heavy repro specialists and mainstream casual brands. Its pieces borrow heritage references but skew lighter, more wearable, and often more accessible in price and feel. For buyers who want Americana references adapted for everyday wear rather than museum‑accurate reproductions, Allevol offers a consistent option.