Japan’s railway opened in 1872 (Meiji 5) and will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2022 (Reiwa 4). It is known that Japan received assistance from the UK for its introduction, but the UK’s railway opened in 1825 and will soon be celebrating its 200th anniversary. In this article, we will introduce “LYBRO”, created by British designer Nigel Cabourn.
Nigel Cabourn had this to say about LYBRO:
“In 1970, when I was studying fashion, I took part in a design contest held by LYBRO, a leading British workwear brand at the time, and won an award for designing workwear overalls.
The brand “LYBRO” has been special to me ever since, and a few years ago, I happened to come across three vintage “LYBRO” wood advertising signs for sale, dating back to the 1940s and 1950s, when the Liverpool-based company was one of the leading British workwear brands.
I bought the “LYBRO” wood sign. I was very nostalgic about those days, so I checked to see if the company still existed. I was shocked to find out that it no longer existed, but I decided to revive the new “LYBRO” as a workwear brand designed by me.”
■Railroad workers “Nubbies”
Navigators, or “Nabbies” for short, were manual labourers employed to build Britain’s first railway lines. They were unsung heroes whose work was hard and dangerous. Focusing on the period from the 1930s to the 1950s, we have selected the typical styles they wore and updated them with new details and contemporary fabrics.
■RAILWAY DUNGAREE – DENIM 60,500 yen (tax included)
▲In front of “Railway Dungaree”
▲ “Railway Dungaree” back
These dungarees are inspired by designs borrowed from railway workers. Workwear-style overalls, they have a relaxed fit with a straight silhouette and rugged denim. They feature split patch pockets on the chest, two large carpenter-style pockets on the thighs and cotton straps.
The pocket edges are reinforced with bar tacks to increase the strength and long-lasting quality of the garment.
-Material: 100% cotton
・Product number: 80491350520
■Short jacket (SHORT JACKET – DENIM) 39,600 yen (tax included)
▲ “Short jacket” front
▲ Back of “Short Jacket”
This short jacket is inspired by the denim jackets worn by Nigel Cabourn in the 1950s. It features a British Army-style pocket on the chest taken from WWII trousers, combining the ruggedness of workwear with the practicality of military wear. It features tough denim and oversized corozo buttons.
-Material: 100% cotton
・Product number: 80491330010
■6 Pocket Work Pants (6 POCKET WORK PANT – DENIM) 39,600 yen (tax included)
▲ “6-pocket work pants” front
▲ “6-pocket work pants” back
These hardwearing pants are inspired by the functionality of traditional work pants. They feature six pockets, including one bandage pocket, and a reinforced top leg and topstitched gusset at the back make the garment more durable and add a beautiful detail. Cut from sturdy denim, they feature generously sized belt loops, a button fly and brace-compatible buttons.
-Material: 100% cotton
Product number: 80491350010
■Contact Information:> Nigel Cabourn (
