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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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  • W
    Wlemon
    Haraki san Expert
    Joined: 1 Sept 2018

    @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 16 Aug 2020, 19:53 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
    • D
      David K.K. Hansen
      Joined: 12 Nov 2014

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

      last edited by 16 Aug 2020, 20:30 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • S
        sabergirl
        見習いボス
        Joined: 4 Oct 2013

        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 16 Aug 2020, 20:33 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • N
          neph93
          見習いボス
          Joined: 18 Aug 2014

          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]

          «Stevie Heighway on the wing!
          We had dreams, and songs to sing…»

          • Dame Vera Lynn
          last edited by 16 Aug 2020, 20:43 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • N
            neph93
            見習いボス
            Joined: 18 Aug 2014

            @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.

            «Stevie Heighway on the wing!
            We had dreams, and songs to sing…»

            • Dame Vera Lynn
            last edited by 16 Aug 2020, 20:46 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • D
              David K.K. Hansen
              Joined: 12 Nov 2014

              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 16 Aug 2020, 20:47 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • G
                Giles
                IHUK Crew
                Joined: 22 Sept 2009

                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 17 Aug 2020, 07:38 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • P
                  Pizza
                  Haraki san Prodigy
                  Joined: 9 Oct 2016

                  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 18 Aug 2020, 00:03 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • N
                    neph93
                    見習いボス
                    Joined: 18 Aug 2014

                    @Pizza exciting stuff… keep us updated.

                    «Stevie Heighway on the wing!
                    We had dreams, and songs to sing…»

                    • Dame Vera Lynn
                    last edited by 18 Aug 2020, 08:39 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • G
                      GoCougs
                      Joined: 27 May 2020

                      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 18 Aug 2020, 18:42 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • N
                        neph93
                        見習いボス
                        Joined: 18 Aug 2014

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

                        «Stevie Heighway on the wing!
                        We had dreams, and songs to sing…»

                        • Dame Vera Lynn
                        last edited by 18 Aug 2020, 18:45 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • N
                          neph93
                          見習いボス
                          Joined: 18 Aug 2014

                          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.


                          «Stevie Heighway on the wing!
                          We had dreams, and songs to sing…»

                          • Dame Vera Lynn
                          last edited by 29 Sept 2020, 09:41 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • A
                            Aetas
                            見習いボス
                            Joined: 19 Jun 2013

                            ^ This post deserves my full agreement.

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

                            last edited by 29 Sept 2020, 10:17 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • A
                              Aetas
                              見習いボス
                              Joined: 19 Jun 2013

                              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 17 Nov 2020, 13:53 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • N
                                neph93
                                見習いボス
                                Joined: 18 Aug 2014

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

                                «Stevie Heighway on the wing!
                                We had dreams, and songs to sing…»

                                • Dame Vera Lynn
                                last edited by 17 Nov 2020, 14:55 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • weftyarnW
                                  weftyarn
                                  啓蒙家
                                  Joined: 8 Nov 2020

                                  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.

                                  last edited by 17 Nov 2020, 17:40 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • AppfaffA
                                    Appfaff
                                    Raw and Unwashed
                                    Joined: 11 Oct 2013

                                    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 18 Nov 2020, 01:51 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • deadendproD
                                      deadendpro
                                      啓蒙家
                                      Joined: 17 Feb 2010

                                      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 26 Nov 2020, 08:00 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • G
                                        Giles
                                        IHUK Crew
                                        Joined: 22 Sept 2009

                                        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 26 Nov 2020, 08:21 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • deadendproD
                                          deadendpro
                                          啓蒙家
                                          Joined: 17 Feb 2010

                                          @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 26 Nov 2020, 18:11 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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