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New Iron Heart Website - Live Now - Feedback and Bug Report Here Please!

Supply and Demand of Iron Heart Products

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  • N
    Nik
    Raw and Unwashed
    Joined: 12 Nov 2020

    Kind of a shame that this discussion has turned to a critique of certain designs. Designing clothing is a craft that takes a lot of skill and many years to learn to do well. I trust Iron Heart's ability to bring out good collections. I wouldn't want the brand to make the output more conservative because some of us think doing so would sell better. It sounds more like the uhf numbers this year were a particular experiment about production, supply, and demand capacities. With respect and deference to the Iron Heart teams in Japan and UK, I trust they know what they are doing with colour. That design is why we're all here in the first place and it has been going for 20 years.

    last edited by 13 Dec 2022, 07:23 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
    • G
      Giles
      IHUK Crew
      Joined: 22 Sept 2009

      Thanks, Nik.

      If we wanted to play it safe, we could, then we would not be the brand we are.  Part of what makes us what we are, is that we try some out-there shit. We know that not everything we make will sell, but we don't know what.

      So let's move on from the "I don't like that colour or that design", it's not particularly helpful.  I dislike black jeans, but they sell pretty well, I hate slim cuts, but they do pretty well too.

      "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 13 Dec 2022, 07:34 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • S
        setandsetting
        Raw and Unwashed
        Joined: 5 Jan 2016

        Contrast right now to when I started buying IH. My first shirt was the 101 turquoise/grey. I had to go to the used market because at the time you couldn't buy a flannel from IH until they released a new shirt. If someone shows up today to IH, there's ample stock for them to buy a few things.

        last edited by 13 Dec 2022, 13:37 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • N
          neph93
          見習いボス
          Joined: 18 Aug 2014

          @setandsetting:

          If someone shows up today to IH, there's ample stock for them to buy a few things.

          I think the above has to be a good thing at the end of the day. Perhaps less great for retailers to be holding stock they thought they’d sell, but a good thing form IHUK to offer choices of one of their flagship products to first time visitors.

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

          • Virginia Woolf
          last edited by 13 Dec 2022, 13:53 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • G
            goosehd
            Mod Squad
            Joined: 8 Apr 2016

            I’m not going to lie, but I used to enjoy the entire logging on 5 minutes before, hoping the internet doesn’t crash, not being interrupted while I tried to enter my details, the IH website crashing, but ultimately succeeding and or failing and trying it all over again on the next big release.

            I love that everyone has a chance now and love to see how far things have progressed. 🙂

            "I don't give a shit what anyone else is doing, we will do what is best for us and our customers" - Giles P. :)

            last edited by 13 Dec 2022, 13:59 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • P
              popvulture
              見習いボス
              Joined: 2 Oct 2018

              @goosehd:

              I’m not going to lie, but I used to enjoy the entire logging on 5 minutes before, hoping the internet doesn’t crash, not being interrupted while I tried to enter my details, the IH website crashing, but ultimately succeeding and or failing and trying it all over again on the next big release.

              I love that everyone has a chance now and love to see how far things have progressed. 🙂

              I liked that whole thing too. It's exhilarating.

              Not that it matters, but my whole comment responding to the critiques on design originated in being put-off by the unconstructive criticism. It kinda morphed into something else as I typed, and I think maybe didn't end up the way I wanted it to, or at least wasn't understood in that reply to me. Anyway, no particular season is going to make everybody happy — that's just impossible. Which just circles back to my thing about that kind of subjective comment being a moot point.

              I do like the idea of seeing some potential ideas for patterns, so I'll stand behind that comment!

              WTB
              IHSH-IHG-BLK XXL
              Sugar Cane Coke Stripe SS L charcoal

              last edited by 13 Dec 2022, 19:52 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • G
                Giles
                IHUK Crew
                Joined: 22 Sept 2009

                @popvulture:

                Which just circles back to my thing about that kind of subjective comment being a moot point.

                I enjoyed your original post and I 100% agree with the above…...

                "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 14 Dec 2022, 05:36 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • P
                  popvulture
                  見習いボス
                  Joined: 2 Oct 2018

                  Cheers, Giles 🙂 I’ve dug this thread.

                  WTB
                  IHSH-IHG-BLK XXL
                  Sugar Cane Coke Stripe SS L charcoal

                  last edited by 14 Dec 2022, 14:39 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • M
                    mclaincausey
                    見習いボス
                    Joined: 12 Apr 2013

                    I absolutely hate hype purchases and the associated stress. I prefer a more leisurely buying process that isn’t threatened by other commitments that might interfere with a drop.

                    Probably in part due to PTSD from stressful live music ticket purchases. At least IH operates in good faith though.

                    Think it, be it.

                    last edited by 14 Dec 2022, 15:20 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • K
                      Kingsselvedge
                      Banned
                      Joined: 2 Jul 2021

                      @goosehd:

                      I love reading these responses!!

                      Agree with scarcity, rarity, and exclusivity comments and how they drive sales.  Look at Rolex over the last 4 or 5 years and how everyone was going nuts for them.  Individuals spending 3 or 4 times msrp at grey market dealers just to own a Rolex.

                      If Rolex increased production or even just published their production numbers, the market would plummet when people realized there are 1000, 10000, 100000 watches just like theirs.  The magic and mystery behind the brand would be gone…

                      I love your quote G., about predicting the future and often think about it.  Let me know when you figure it out  🙂

                      Interesting point here on Rolex. I follow the rolex prices/news regularly. They have just announced a CPO (certified pre-owned) arrangement. So you can now buy certified watches from stores that stock Rolex versus worrying you may get scammed with a fake from Joe Bloggs on the street.

                      I'd imagine fake IHs are much less prevalent and this may be covered by the 'pre-loved' section but perhaps there is a way that can be extended and IH become more involved in the re-selling aspect.

                      Having purchased a few items on the for sale boards here I have been lucky enough to deal with some great people including IH's own Olly but can't say my heart doesn't skip a beat as  I push send on transferring money to an unknown.

                      Perhaps if we knew the products sold were 100% legit it may boost sales on the forum. I do however suspect, it would be a logistical nightmare and that the sales section is not the main driver for joining the IH forum.

                      last edited by 14 Dec 2022, 23:06 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • G
                        Giles
                        IHUK Crew
                        Joined: 22 Sept 2009

                        That's an @Alex decision, but my view has always been that we should facilitate but not get involved.

                        "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 15 Dec 2022, 06:18 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • AlexA
                          Alex
                          IHUK Crew
                          Joined: 28 Sept 2009

                          I was thinking about something similar recently, @kingsselvedge, but on reflection I think that between the RE:LOVE section, the main site and the forum's marketplace which is pretty carefully watched by @neph93 and @goosehd for scammers, we are happy with our offerings

                          last edited by 15 Dec 2022, 07:50 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • K
                            Kingsselvedge
                            Banned
                            Joined: 2 Jul 2021

                            Makes sense @alex and @Giles and agree it's pretty much covered. Maybe the other reason for the slow down is having a brand with such awesome build quality. It lasts so bloody long you only need to buy a couple of items  🙂

                            last edited by 15 Dec 2022, 14:20 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • KarolK
                              Karol
                              啓蒙家
                              Joined: 14 Nov 2022

                              I was reluctant to comment, so many people with far greater historical background with the brand have posted comments that I agree with. I only saw the Fall Winter 22 unfold, and now announcement of Spring Summer 23, but since Giles mentioned that First Time Customer or FTC" is a key metric I decided to give such perspective.

                              The reason I went for IH is the feeling of ultimate quality. If it is in the shop, it should be the best possible rendition of raw material, yarn spinning, weaving mill, dyeing, etc. I am never concerned about exclusivity; it is for me a device of the fast fashion world.

                              The brand was built on the innovative heavy denim idea that came from deep industry insights of Haraki-san and proved so successful that it transcended intended motorcycle audience. And that is how I would like to see IH future - deep understanding of textiles, and ability to improve and perfect the past and present materials. In other words, if it should bear IH logo it has to be taken to an extreme one way or the other and quality-wise go way beyond anything anyone in the market offers. In terms of what to produce I would like to see things that were popular 100, 50 years ago and will be popular in 100 years.

                              I would not worry about having millions of products with the IH logo. As a matter fact I think the more ground you cover the more it dilutes the core value and brings the company closer to the clothing giants that offer everything with their logo.

                              In terms of availability, this discussion focuses on the seasonal products, but I want to focus more on the scarcity of “continuous production”. Waiting times on those seem to vary between 6 to 12 months from what I see on the forum and that I can hardly call continuous. Providing restocks more often instead of introducing other products would be my priority.

                              One more comment after seeing yesterday’s SS23 is that re-release of popular elements from previous seasons is a great idea. Some of the most popular pieces might even take place in continuous production.

                              Favorite:
                              IH-888S-21 | IH-888-XHSib | IH-805 | IH-729-PUR | IH-555-XHS | IH-555S-25MB
                              IHSH-339-SAX | IHSH-341-BLK | IHSH-293-OD | IHSH-362-BLK | IHSH-409-IB | IHSH-336-OD | IHSB-BIGBUCK-BLK
                              IHV-44-BLK | IHV-02-BLK
                              IHJ-75-BLK | IHJ-79-BLK | IHM-37-ODG

                              last edited by 7 Jan 2023, 16:13 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • G
                                Giles
                                IHUK Crew
                                Joined: 22 Sept 2009

                                @Karol:

                                Some of the most popular pieces might even take place in continuous production.

                                It's happened before….

                                @Karol:

                                In terms of availability, this discussion focuses on the seasonal products, but I want to focus more on the scarcity of “continuous production”. Waiting times on those seem to vary between 6 to 12 months from what I see on the forum and that I can hardly call continuous. Providing restocks more often instead of introducing other products would be my priority.

                                Haraki needs to innovate, experiment and play.  It's part of what makes him who he is.  It's simply impossible to tell him to slow down and get more core product through the workshops.

                                "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 7 Jan 2023, 17:59 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • M
                                  mclaincausey
                                  見習いボス
                                  Joined: 12 Apr 2013

                                  @Giles:

                                  Haraki needs to innovate, experiment and play.  It's part of what makes him who he is.  It's simply impossible to tell him to slow down and get more core product through the workshops.

                                  So grateful for that. He's an endless font of creativity and style and I wouldn't change a thing about his output, even if not everything is for me.

                                  Think it, be it.

                                  last edited by 7 Jan 2023, 20:29 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • KarolK
                                    Karol
                                    啓蒙家
                                    Joined: 14 Nov 2022

                                    @Giles:

                                    @Karol:

                                    Some of the most popular pieces might even take place in continuous production.

                                    It's happened before….

                                    Thats the tried and tested way of expanding the offer 🙂 It all made sense seeing yesterday that the 11oz West Point Shorts are back.
                                    @Karol:

                                    In terms of availability, this discussion focuses on the seasonal products, but I want to focus more on the scarcity of “continuous production”. Waiting times on those seem to vary between 6 to 12 months from what I see on the forum and that I can hardly call continuous. Providing restocks more often instead of introducing other products would be my priority.

                                    Haraki needs to innovate, experiment and play.  It's part of what makes him who he is.  It's simply impossible to tell him to slow down and get more core product through the workshops.

                                    I would not like to take that away from him and as I mentioned it's kind of what I expect from him in terms of production. This is a long topic, but You and Alex mentioned this in a podcast that he wants to focus even more on that R&D side of production in the future. The only goal should be to have products better in their category than anything else produced by other companies. With your brand it all that matters to me.

                                    Favorite:
                                    IH-888S-21 | IH-888-XHSib | IH-805 | IH-729-PUR | IH-555-XHS | IH-555S-25MB
                                    IHSH-339-SAX | IHSH-341-BLK | IHSH-293-OD | IHSH-362-BLK | IHSH-409-IB | IHSH-336-OD | IHSB-BIGBUCK-BLK
                                    IHV-44-BLK | IHV-02-BLK
                                    IHJ-75-BLK | IHJ-79-BLK | IHM-37-ODG

                                    last edited by 7 Jan 2023, 21:20 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • CosmoSix5C
                                      CosmoSix5
                                      Haraki san Prodigy
                                      Joined: 4 Sept 2023

                                      I think selecting work or western for shirts was a smart move. Making both means making a lot with just a little difference. If I like a shirt, like the sashiko from f/w24 I'm buying it. Would I have bought it if it was a western? Duh. 😂
                                      Other than the chalk stripe that was both this season I think you guys did a great job making great clothes and decisions.

                                      WTB Brund Flannel 2 or 3x

                                      last edited by 28 Dec 2024, 03:27 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
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