indigo_pete

In the US, you can only purchase Kurabo through Olah, Inc.. They're in NYC. Good luck....you better talk a good game. Nice, knowledgable people, but they make their money by talking to Gap, not selling 1000 yards to a start-up. If you've got a good business strategy, they might be able to help you out.

I know some of the guys who started www.handsblue.com . You might be able to pick up more phone numbers and contacts there. It's just starting, but there are a lot of enthusiasts there. Get on the chat site...I think you'll be surprised.

Good business to you!!

If you want to get started, why don't you contact some mills and see what they have in seconds or end-of-runs? Maybe call Cone (Int'l Textiles) in Greensboro, NC. Sometimes there are some real finds there. Don't go to the NY sales staff...they probably won't give you the time of day for 1000 yards every year. Try to find someone in the mill that works in allocation. Specificially you should be looking for off-shade goods. Goods that don't fit in the specified shade range, but at times can actually be better than the target shade!! It's just that they can't sell it to the Citizen's or PDC's of the world. I don't know where PRPS is getting their piece goods, but I would guess Japan. Probably Kurabo.

If you really want to go hard-core, check out Suma or Amhot. They might talk to you because they normally deal in less than 1000 yard runs. If you REALLY want to get loco, contact Interforest in Japan. They rep a lot of 'off the map' mills that might only produce a few hundred yards - but notify Wall Street because you're going to need a MASSIVE loan ($40-100/yard FOB Japan!!).

And remember, most jeans require 1.4-1.6 yards per garment on 58" cuttable. If you're getting into 30" cuttable selvedge styles, you may need 2.8-3.0 yds/gmt. Find a good pattern-maker and sample sewing shop. Nothing's worse than killer fabric in a bad fit!!

There are some killer prices on www.handsblue.com for vintage. Not my size or I'd keep it to myself!! Go under "Bay".

Good luck!!

The only Earnest Sewn store is in NYC. The next stores are planned to open in London and Tokyo according to www.handsblue.com . (uber-cool new site)

I agree, Fred Segal's is amazing, but expensive. I especially like the one on Melrose, but the one in Santa Monica is cool too (ask for Richard - he knows his stuff!).

I'll check out Traffic. I haven't been there. What brands do they carry?

I've got to get in on some of this....

Every trend worth following will eventually creep into the masses - though the pioneers will still be the originals. And the masses will probably never, ever express your passion (esp. skecr8r) or experience your level of understanding. Whether you know selvedge, a true nickle button when you see one or the difference between a 2/N stitch sewn on a dbl-needle machine vs. single needle, we'll always take pride in knowing what we know and comparing notes with others. I've been collecting (though not very successfully) for nearly 9 years now...before all the good Levi's were finding their way to Japan. Before the prices became inflated and subsequently leveled. I would love to consider myself a "denim hipster'" but I know that I'm still on the coat-tails of the Japanese collectors who appreciated Denim Heritage way before I did!!

Don't worry, Abercrombie will never produce a jean that will rival an authentic 1947 XX (though I think the LVC version is still pretty good!!)

Has anyone checked out www.handsblue.com ? I just found it yesterday.

Enfect-

APC is great if you like wearing rigid jeans, but I just bought a pair of Earnest Sewn 36" Inseam Maz Dark 3D jeans. They're DA-BOOMAH. They just came out with them last week. Check out the new Earnest store at Washington and Gansevoort in NYC (Meat Packing). I'm 6'4" also and these 36" inseams leave a little drag on the ground...which I love.

American Eagle....that's like shopping at a Big & Tall!! Sorry buddy!!

Ah!! A fellow Earnest owner! I also own a B-12. It didn't shrink much at all when I washed mine (waist or inseam).

If you're in NYC, you've got to check out the Earnest Sewn store at Washington and Gansevoort in the Meat Packing district.....it's a denim mecca!!

Hey kid0!

Be careful washing the jeans, assuming they're true 'Rigid' denim (never rinsed). Depending on the fabric, they could shrink a little or they could shrink a lot! I had a pair of Levi 201's (replica) that I labored over for 5 months...they were a little big, and BAM!! They're 2 sizes 2 small now!!

Since then, I DRY CLEAN my jeans. I take them to a local cleaner that understands that I do NOT want them laundered & I don't want them center-creased. It's critical that you make them understand that you want them dry cleaned!!

For weekly maintenance, I like Fabreeze!!

It's heavenly to be hip.....a sin to stink!!