It was great: I’d make the customer a coffee or a good old British cup of tea and quite often we’d end up chatting like old friends. In February I started doing appointments in my living room. This year I have introduced Pure Blue Japan, indigofera, Bybeatle, Dawson Denim and 3sixteen.įew people knew that I was operating R&H out of my living room, bedroom and any spare space from my small west London home. And being a home for Steel Feather was important to show I was out to find new and interesting small-scale brands. However, once I got some great brands on board like The Flat Head I never looked back. I kind of leaped into the unknown here in London. “One thing to consider is that washing from time to time will protect your jeans and strengthen the denim.DH: When I look back to August 2012 I almost shudder with fear again.

If you prefer a more washed out and evenly faded look to your denim then go in earlier and more regularly with the washing process. If you want really high contrast fades with ruggedly hardcore whiskering and honeycombs like you’ve just emerged from weeks of hard graft in a Californian gold mine, then hang on for a good few months before your jeans touch water. Always wash them when dirty or malodorous. Part of the fun of raw denim is finding your own way and doing what’s best for you. If I’m looking to loosen things up a little, I’ll typically throw on a pair of Moonstar sneakers.” On Whether or Not to Wash My go to boots include my Boondockers in roughout tan Horween leather and my Service Boots in Colour 8 Chromexel. As for footwear, Viberg Boots are a no brainer. So you’ll often see me wearing either one of those with my denim. The Nine Lives Tsuriurake loopwheeled sweater or the Studio D’Artisan suvin gold sweater can't be beaten on style, fit and quality. As for my personal rotation at the moment, I’m wearing PBJ, 3sixteen, Iron Heart and good old Flat Head.” On What to Wear them with If the denim is not exceptional then it doesn’t get a space on the rack. “We curate the best and most exciting of what’s out there in terms of premium selvedge denim, so it is hard to pick a favourite. The rich indigo hue heightened by the grey weft really appeals to me, and the fabric ages relatively quickly, too.” On Favourites Their x011s offers a 13.5oz left-hand twill with an indigo warp and a grey weft. Once again, I’ve got to single out Pure Blue Japan here.

I like denim with a little character too, something that will age well. “I gravitate towards the midweights, personally. The in-house Union Special sees a lot of use as a result we do a lot more hemming these days.” On Fabric Of late, I’ve noticed that our younger customers especially like to wear their jeans short with a cuff (and often with a wider leg). Stacking was very popular when Rivet & Hide first started out back in 2012. It’s funny how tastes change over the years. I like a small cuff but mix it up with a little stacking. Iron Heart’s 555 slim cut with medium rise works well for me too. Pure Blue Japan do a strong Slim Tapered model that fits the bill nicely and also happens to be a firm favourite with customers too. “Personally, I lean towards a slim tapered fit for the most part.

Rivet and hide