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    Iron Heart Fall/Winter 2025 Collection Preview - Now Live

    Under The Radar Classics

    General Info About Iron Heart Products
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    • WlemonW
      Wlemon
      Haraki san Expert
      Joined:

      @BULLITT BEE "back in the day," Levis sued a bunch of Japanese brands (and some from North American, I think) because their designs, as they argued, "borrowed" a bit too much. I found this for you. It doesn't have much info on it, but I'm sure @neph93 or @Giles knows of a better article. It's a bunch of bs IMO, but an interesting part of denim history.

      https://www.heddels.com/2011/05/4-years-later-levis-v-s-japanese-repro-lawsuit-still-fair-game/

      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • David K.K. HansenD
        David K.K. Hansen
        Joined:

        Didn't know that!  Very interesting, thanks for sharing!

        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • S
          sabergirl
          見習いボス
          Joined:

          Looks like super black 21oz denim, to me. But I don’t know if that was produced pre-lawsuit. I think my 9301 from c. 2009 was from the first iterations of that denim. I’d have to dig them out, but I’m pretty sure there’s no red tab.

          Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • neph93N
            neph93
            見習いボス
            Joined:

            Google «Levi’s lawsuit 2007» and you’ll get the idea, but @Wlemon sums it up nicely. I’ve heard so many funny stories about that time. Guys pulling all nighters at SE to stitch rip arctuates, draws full of little red pocket tabs.

            Whatever your opinion of Levi’s or your attitude to intellectual property, it was a shitshow for Levi’s in the end. The Japanese denim brands worshipped Levi’s. They were the reason Japanese denim existed. Two IH cuts are directly «inspired» by specific Levi’s models. The use of Levi’s arcs, pocket tabs and the patch references are pure homage. And Levi’s come along and fuck them. It’s like The Rolling Stones suing bar bands for playing Brown Sugar.

            The real kicker for Levi’s is that it forced the Japanese brands to focus on their own branding and identity, thus becoming a much more viable propostion in the global market place. The free advertising Levi’s gave them didn’t hurt either [emoji1]

            Giles was there for all of it and has some stories. Of course he can’t tell  them because every time he does Levi’s put a horses head in his bed [emoji23]

            “Some of those that work forces
            Are the same that burn crosses”

            • Virginia Woolf
            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • neph93N
              neph93
              見習いボス
              Joined:

              @sabergirl:

              Looks like super black 21oz denim, to me. But I don’t know if that was produced pre-lawsuit. I think my 9301 from c. 2009…

              Wasn’t there a period where the faux Levi’s branding was still available in Japan but not in the ROW?  But you’re spot on, it does look like SB. That would make sense with the dyed black patch and murdered out arcs too.

              EDIT: hard to say from the pics, but these jeans have .jp/IHUK arcs, not SE arcs, and the 9301 was SE exclusive.

              “Some of those that work forces
              Are the same that burn crosses”

              • Virginia Woolf
              last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • David K.K. HansenD
                David K.K. Hansen
                Joined:

                Brilliant!  I'd love to hear some stories when the day comes that I can join for a meet-up at Gosport!  😃

                last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • GilesG
                  Giles
                  IHUK Crew
                  Joined:

                  It focussed attention on us from people who had never heard of Iron Heart or Japanese denim.  It was exactly the publicity we needed at the time, and was the first step-change in demand for our business….

                  Thanks you stupid corporate fuckers...

                  And in all probability those are IH-9634 - Superblack non-selvedge 21 oz

                  Here's another early pair...

                  https://www.ironheart.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=14289.msg642834#msg642834

                  "OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

                  last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • P
                    Pizza
                    Haraki san Prodigy
                    Joined:

                    Thanks everyone! They do look like the 21oz Superblack in the photos.

                    I went ahead and made the purchase. They are from an Etsy shop that sells a lot of thrift shop finds. I'll be interested to check them out when they arrive.

                    last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • neph93N
                      neph93
                      見習いボス
                      Joined:

                      @Pizza exciting stuff… keep us updated.

                      “Some of those that work forces
                      Are the same that burn crosses”

                      • Virginia Woolf
                      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • G
                        GoCougs
                        Joined:

                        I'm putting my vote in for the IH-803-WH.  I'm guessing they're considered under since I've read that white (in general, minus tees) don't usually sell terribly great.  Well I love there's pants!  The double knee gives them a subtle difference from regular pants.  And the color with generous fit makes them good for warmer weather: twas 98 in Seattle on Sunday (which is HOT for us!  Broke a record) and these performed fine. 

                        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • neph93N
                          neph93
                          見習いボス
                          Joined:

                          @GoCougs great shout and exactly what this thread is about. Looking good too.

                          “Some of those that work forces
                          Are the same that burn crosses”

                          • Virginia Woolf
                          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • neph93N
                            neph93
                            見習いボス
                            Joined:

                            The IHSH-165!

                            Totally ridiculous that both versions of this shirt ended up in the Outlet. Hands down the best indigo fabric H has come up with. It has everything, fading potential, deep colour, a very attractive herringbone pattern and is also super soft.


                            “Some of those that work forces
                            Are the same that burn crosses”

                            • Virginia Woolf
                            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • AetasA
                              Aetas
                              見習いボス
                              Joined:

                              ^ This post deserves my full agreement.

                              Cherries on the IHSH-165 cake: One number, two shirts. Tonal and contrast stitching.

                              last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • AetasA
                                Aetas
                                見習いボス
                                Joined:

                                IHSH-94 Xpost from @weftyarn

                                @weftyarn:

                                This shirt is such a nice piece and given it doesn’t seem to get too much love here, I thought I’d share a pic with you 😉

                                If one would ask me for the most underrated IH shirt, this would probably be it.

                                last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • neph93N
                                  neph93
                                  見習いボス
                                  Joined:

                                  Good man @Aetas, Truly the correct place for this under appreciated beauty.

                                  “Some of those that work forces
                                  Are the same that burn crosses”

                                  • Virginia Woolf
                                  last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • weftyarnW
                                    weftyarn
                                    啓蒙家
                                    Joined:

                                    Thanks @Aetas ! Didn’t know of this thread, yet 😃

                                    I love my IHSH-92. and it is surprisingly versatile. I have worn it a lot in the summer months, but it’s also warm enough for some layering now. And: it goes well with both raw and faded denim.  😎

                                    Use it or lose it.

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                                    • AppfaffA
                                      Appfaff
                                      Raw and Unwashed
                                      Joined:

                                      I literally punch myself for letting the one I had go.

                                      I bought it from [mention]Clint_D [/mention] and then sold it back to him months later. I hope he still looks at it longingly in his closet [emoji170][emoji170][emoji170]

                                      One of the best shirts ever made!

                                      Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

                                      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • deadendproD
                                        deadendpro
                                        啓蒙家
                                        Joined:

                                        IHSH-17 in Black- Love this thing, still wear it. My first IH shirt.

                                        IHSH-13 from before there was a color designation- For when only the best of chambray will do.

                                        IHSH-23 in Purp- THIS IS MY FAVORITE PIECE EVER! Since day one, this is my most loved shirt. If all my shirts but one must burn, i'm keeping this one.

                                        IHSH-24 in Bred- I've since retired this shirt. The love I gave this shirt every summer was immense. I'm surprised that it only has worn through in a few, select areas.

                                        IHSH-48 in Red/Orange- The soft color really made this thing stand out when everything around was buffalo check deep reds. And got it for a steal in 2014 during Self Edge's Warehouse sale.

                                        IHSH-70 in Sax- Not since the IHSH-23 had I found a color I wanted as badly as the 70. And with the ability to pimp shirts being made available, mine has mother of pearl snaps. BALLIN!

                                        IHSH-137 in Yellow- It's hard to find a really good yellow shirt…unless you have this one!

                                        Currently Wearing:
                                        SExSx3s 27-01
                                        15.4oz 3sixteen Type 3
                                        25oz Samurai Type 1

                                        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • GilesG
                                          Giles
                                          IHUK Crew
                                          Joined:

                                          Now there are some classics…..

                                          "OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

                                          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • deadendproD
                                            deadendpro
                                            啓蒙家
                                            Joined:

                                            @Giles:

                                            Now there are some classics…..

                                            Hope you have been well G-Man! My love to you and P!

                                            Looking forward to getting some new pieces in the coming seasons.

                                            Currently Wearing:
                                            SExSx3s 27-01
                                            15.4oz 3sixteen Type 3
                                            25oz Samurai Type 1

                                            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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