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Random questions to which you seek an answer

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  • D
    Dmart
    啓蒙家
    Joined: 24 Mar 2021

    @jerkules i had the same issue. You can change it in your profile. I had to post at least once that the groups have been updated.

    last edited by 8 Feb 2023, 06:39 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
    • J
      jerkules
      啓蒙家
      Joined: 26 Aug 2018

      @Dmart thanks buddy, managed to find it. Never would’ve looked there!

      last edited by 8 Feb 2023, 07:10 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • M
        Mizmazzle
        見習いボス
        Joined: 29 Jun 2021

        Question…when an IH item goes into production, does that include the creation of the fabric as well? For example, sometimes someone will ask when a restock will be, and it’s said it just went to production so could be months until ready. I’m curious what the steps of “production” are?

        In the easy chair with my boots on, melted whiskey in my hand. Could'na been asleep for more than three hours...time to go to work again...

        last edited by 15 Feb 2023, 21:56 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • G
          Giles
          IHUK Crew
          Joined: 22 Sept 2009

          It means that we have sent in an order and Japan have OK'd it. Sometimes the fabric will not be woven because they do not know how much to weave until we place an order. The factories we use get quiet (er) and busy at different times, we try to place orders for stuff for factories that we know are quiet, but it is an imperfect world, so that does not always work and a factory gets super backed up all of a sudden and we have to wait for a very long time.

          Over the last few years, we have suffered massive delays in ordering indigo 21oz selvedge garments. We simply could not weave enough of the denim. We had 4 dedicated looms running all the time just for this denim, Haraki has managed to convince the mill to increase that to 6 (all their looms are busy all the time, so it meant "stealing" those looms from someone else's denim production). So now we should have relieved the problems caused by the lack of denim, but that just means the bottleneck is now in the factories which sew up the 21oz garments, and it will take time to sort that out. You don't just turn a "make more" switch, it requires massive investment in new (old and hard-to-find sewing machines), staff and infrastructure.

          "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 Giles 16 Feb 2023, 07:49 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
          • S
            Salted Racer
            Haraki san Prodigy
            Joined: 15 Nov 2021

            Great question @Mizmazzle and a very interesting reply @Giles I think it's pretty badass that Haraki is such a heavyweight in the industry (no pun intended) he was able to get those extra looms on the 21oz.

            As far as production and quality go, Giles, or anyone, I'd love your take on something: I encountered a video essay or article somewhere this year holding the position that, essentially, in the coming years (15-20 was the purposed timeframe), barring some remedy, Japanese denim production will be in dire trouble. The argument was that not enough of the younger generation is taking up the career of sewing or operating and repairing shuttle looms.

            The culminating hypothesis put forward is that either Japan will have to import workers for factories which is problematic in regards to constantly training temporary foreign workers on finicky machines; or that ultimately, the up-and-coming denim makers in other parts of Asia will eventually overshadow Japan as the source of 'top-quality' denim. Does this position hold any water or is it more of an interesting thought experiment?

            last edited by 16 Feb 2023, 14:16 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • G
              Giles
              IHUK Crew
              Joined: 22 Sept 2009

              Firstly, the easy answer. Yes, H is held in great esteem. I love being with him when "lesser denim world mortals" are introduced to him and see how obsequious they are 🙂

              Japanese denim is already in trouble and Covid accelerated the shit (because the foreign workers were kicked out of Japan and not let back in for the best part of 2 years - and guess what, when the Japanese wanted them back, they'd found other things to do).

              You are 100% correct, fewer younger Japanese people are entering the industry. But the article is wrong in saying that the use of temporary foreign workers is a future thing. It's been happening for years. One of our workshops has rows of 2 bedroom apartments in which their Burmese workers live, with communal kitchen gardens and kitchens. But all of our worships use foreign workers and have done for as long as I can remember.

              I'd be interested in who authored the article, if it was a Japanese person, then take it with a dose of salt, because as a generalisation, the Japanese cups are always half empty, which makes it so much more impressive when they succeed in the face of utter catastrophe - I use to believe the doom-laden prophecies, now I politely nod my head, say soothing words of sympathy and basically ignore what I am being told. But then when I'm told that despite the awful predictions, they have managed to pull through, I am full of the most fulsome praise for their brilliance in the face of certain failure. It's a game, but it has to be done.

              There are of course many challenges, and I don't mean to diminutise them, but I don't think the industry will die. It will change massively, but I think Iron Heart will be OK. Iron Heart has a very different position than any other Japanese denim brand, we have a massive non-Japanese market, we have a few westerners involved who understand more about the western market than other brands and have the ability to think outside the box (something that the Japanese culture does not promote), we have an amazingly highly regarded leader, and we have a product that people want to buy.

              "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 Giles 16 Feb 2023, 14:55 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • I
                iammortalcombat
                Haraki san Prodigy
                Joined: 2 Jan 2022

                Considering the enamoring of western motorcycle culture and what seems to be specifically American styling (I could be wrong), has H ever done any runs with cone or vidalia - or any other USA mill I’m not familiar with?

                I have two pair of Left Field NYC that I loved until they got too slim in the leg but the cone mills denim was some of my favorite to break in.

                last edited by 16 Feb 2023, 15:12 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • G
                  Giles
                  IHUK Crew
                  Joined: 22 Sept 2009

                  No, and it won't happen for some time if ever. Japanese Yen is too damn weak....

                  "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 16 Feb 2023, 15:19 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                  • T
                    T4920
                    見習いボス
                    Joined: 27 Apr 2022

                    This thread is full of fascinating questions (and answers) today!

                    I'll add to them with a fleeting though that popped into my mind during my morning swim the other day.

                    If Iron Heart saw an unprecedented surge in demand, caused by a high-profile celebrity/influencer rocking the brand on a regular basis, for example... Would any measures be taken to ensure that members of established customer base were still able to purchase from you, without everything being snapped up by a hypothetical wave of bots and/or resellers?

                    “𝑁𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑢𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑏 𝑦𝑜𝑢. 𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑚𝑒𝑒𝑡 𝑖𝑡, 𝑖𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑜, 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑜𝑛 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑐ℎ 𝑡𝑜𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝑎𝑟𝑚 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑎𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡.”

                    last edited by T4920 16 Feb 2023, 16:04 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • G
                      Giles
                      IHUK Crew
                      Joined: 22 Sept 2009

                      Yes. I really dislike the celebrity/influencer gig. My answer to questions like...

                      "Hi, I represent Mr fucking big deal actor, he'd really like to wear some of your clothing in his upcoming film, how do we get hold of some?"
                      Answer
                      "Go to the fucking website and buy what you want like any regular person"
                      Sub text, because Mr fucking big deal actor can probably afford our stuff a load more than our regular customers....

                      "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 16 Feb 2023, 16:22 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 3
                      • I
                        iammortalcombat
                        Haraki san Prodigy
                        Joined: 2 Jan 2022

                        I love this response.

                        It’s neat to see celebs wearing stuff you also own if following influencers is your thing. I personally don’t give a crap who someone is and I feel influencers are the number 1 problem with personal happiness in this day and age. Let’s be honest - most of them are probably looking for free stuff bc they “have a following”

                        last edited by 16 Feb 2023, 16:29 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • G
                          Giles
                          IHUK Crew
                          Joined: 22 Sept 2009

                          I absolutely love it when I see well-known/respected public figures wearing Iron Heart, especially if they made the choice to buy and wear it themselves. Clapton bought a couple of items from us a few years ago, Paula entered into meaningful correspondence with the man himself about his purchase. I love him all the more for that.....

                          Mind you, I did invite him to one of our Irn Heart parties and the git did not come.....🤣 🤣

                          "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 Giles 16 Feb 2023, 16:32 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                          • AlexA
                            Alex
                            IHUK Crew
                            Joined: 28 Sept 2009

                            @T4920 I don't think that @Giles actually answered your question (though that is definitely the policy on influencers/celebrities wanting discounts).

                            As it stands we do not prioritise sales to long standing customers. Equally, we do really want to grow our overall customer base, and the best way to do this is to sell to new customers.

                            Celebrities have been wearing Iron Heart for years, it has been featured in multiple movies/TV shows to date and as yet we have not seen a spike in resellers, so I don't think its a valid concern at this stage, but is an interesting thought for down the line (perhaps)

                            last edited by 16 Feb 2023, 16:32 G T 2 Replies Last reply 16 Feb 2023, 16:34 Reply Quote 0
                            • G
                              Giles
                              IHUK Crew
                              @Alex
                              Joined: 22 Sept 2009

                              @Alex said in Random questions to which you seek an answer:

                              @T4920 I don't think that @Giles actually answered your question

                              Yeah, sorry. I ranted about one of my pet peeves and forgot what the question was.

                              "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 16 Feb 2023, 16:34 AlexA 1 Reply Last reply 16 Feb 2023, 16:36 Reply Quote 0
                              • AlexA
                                Alex
                                IHUK Crew
                                @Giles
                                Joined: 28 Sept 2009

                                @Giles said in Random questions to which you seek an answer:

                                @Alex said in Random questions to which you seek an answer:

                                @T4920 I don't think that @Giles actually answered your question

                                Yeah, sorry. I ranted...

                                Unlike you...

                                last edited by 16 Feb 2023, 16:36 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • goosehdG
                                  goosehd
                                  Mod Squad
                                  Joined: 8 Apr 2016

                                  The influencers that I follow are here on the forum posting almost daily. 🙂

                                  "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 16 Feb 2023, 16:36 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • J
                                    jerkules
                                    啓蒙家
                                    Joined: 26 Aug 2018

                                    Same ^

                                    last edited by 16 Feb 2023, 16:40 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • T
                                      T4920
                                      見習いボス
                                      @Alex
                                      Joined: 27 Apr 2022

                                      @Alex Thanks for that, Alex. I appreciated the rant nonetheless!

                                      “𝑁𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑢𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑏 𝑦𝑜𝑢. 𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑚𝑒𝑒𝑡 𝑖𝑡, 𝑖𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑜, 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑜𝑛 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑐ℎ 𝑡𝑜𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝑎𝑟𝑚 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑎𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡.”

                                      last edited by 16 Feb 2023, 16:41 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • I
                                        iammortalcombat
                                        Haraki san Prodigy
                                        Joined: 2 Jan 2022

                                        Following up to that influencer/purchaser - I noticed that one forum member was able to “pre-order” an upcoming arrival at their local IH retailer.

                                        Seems a bit stinky to me that some retailers can do that while IH themselves does not allow for that?

                                        Guess there is no way to enforce no pre sales?

                                        last edited by 16 Feb 2023, 16:54 AlexA todyT 2 Replies Last reply 16 Feb 2023, 16:58 Reply Quote 0
                                        • S
                                          Salted Racer
                                          Haraki san Prodigy
                                          Joined: 15 Nov 2021

                                          Great conversation everyone—best rant ever Giles. Love your position on celebrity and influencers.

                                          last edited by 16 Feb 2023, 16:57 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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