Random questions to which you seek an answer
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.... -
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”
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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.....
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@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)
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@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...
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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?
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Great conversation everyone—best rant ever Giles. Love your position on celebrity and influencers.
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@iammortalcombat I don't think it is fair of us to stipulate how our retailers want to work with their customer base. We have our position, they all have their own too.
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@Alex understood and that’s completely logical.
I actually enjoy the thrill of “will I get it” a tad here and there. I am also lucky that I’m in the larger sizing in the shirts so I think I have less competition but I am envious when things come out that don’t make it to the 3-4x sizing -
@iammortalcombat Pretty much everything is made up to 4XL now with the exception of our cut and sewn which is size limited at the factory.
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@iammortalcombat If you enjoy the “will I get it” now, you should have been here 5-7 years ago. It used to be quite the show with people fighting for sizes and the website crashing mid purchase or just as they launched a new item.
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@goosehd said in Random questions to which you seek an answer:
the website crashing
There's no need to bring that up now, is there?
