501cult

Since seeing all those pics of this (indeed beautiful!) old machine, I wonder on what machinery the jeans produced so far (incl. mine.....) were made?

Accessed SuFu from a different computer and could not see Gun's pics.... I seriously expected two shots of his GF, and now it turns out it's the Union Special sewing machine....

I took my artists (which is what I call these jeans by now) to Lake Como

in Northern Italy, which I simply find one of the most breathtakingly beautiful places.

The first two pics show me -and the jeans- gazing at the lake, and since you can't see much of it, the third shows you the scenery. The last one gives you the church on a mountain that I climbed up to, not a daring alpinist expedition, but no simple stroll either. Sadly, the view from up there was no good when I finally made it (all haze and mist)- can always happen to you in the mountains.

Gun, please what is a "noob" question? You keep using this term-is it some slang I've missed to pick up, is it -perhaps- a persistent typo?

Hey guys...I'm back and just checked on all the latest posts.

I can understand the arcuate discussion, but don't like the altered versions much. No back pocket stitching robs the jeans of an integral part of their identity, there are so many brands who already do that.

The altered versions, with 50% removed in two "modes"-well, for those who prefer it, why not. I'll keep mine in the way they were made for sure.

Still absolutely love the fit on Aong_sk. I propose he should get a prize for the best fit, unless something really "big" happens in the further course of events. Alzheimirays fit is nice as well.

And these jeans are a bitch to fade, no?

Hopefully Gun is safe on his way by now. The Aussies should be aware that an up and coming Asian denim entrepreneur is visiting.

Oh, and I wanted to register my regrets about aong_sk, I did not consider the possibility that his legs and the ability to fit so well into a W 28 could be due to a disease. I am sorry. He looks absolutely great, though, in the slim cut artistdenims. Rock star body, I'd say, perhaps from a Chinese boy band? )

he is in 28, he got a disease called chicken leg syndrome

Second beatle here, by all means the 36! Mine did stretch considerably, and if you wear them during the soak (bathtub ritual), then I'd be ready to guarantee a good result.

Gun, absolutely do get the Union Special, if the price is not totally unreasonable. It will be a big asset to your brand.

Bon voyage to down under! When will you be back?

Yeah, I love the fit, too! Plus the feel is awesome, this is some denim.

And I'll take it with "Holmes" here -elementary, my dear Watson- and won't "sweat it".

So here's the promised pic after drying.

The jeans are now quite comfortable. You'll notice the folds in the crotch area and even on the thighs, they have stretched! Bathtub ritual does it every time - and, of course, Gun's size recommendation was amply validated.

Slight new issue: I wore them with my harness biker boots today, and the legs are simply just a tad too slim for them. Hence the somewhat weird folds around the knee, as the lower legs of the jeans were pushed up. This is unfortunate, as these boots are my preferred footwear in the cold season, and I now will either have to change something about that or live with wearing my artists this way.

Any thoughts?

So they are dry now after all (the pocket linings are really a bitch to get dried, the material is so thick, it's stays humid forever...).

I think the process widened them more than shrunk them, they are now considerably more comfortable. 30 is definitely the right size for me, this is now clear.

Still would like to know the size of Aong_sk !

Hi and thanks for your worries, Lance! Looks as if I'm hanging in there.

My thighs are fine as well, they are used to tight denim and like the feel of it just as the rest of me.

The jeans are now almost dry, there are some last wet spots at the pockets. I don't feel there's all that much shrinkage, that probably was averted by my wearing them during the entire process.

Gun, when you find the time: (there's still the open question about the total lack of indigo bleeding, which I find rather astonishing). How much of the shrinkage do you reckon I've got out of the way with this "ritual" today?

I feel they have become a little softer on the inside, but rougher to the touch on the outside actually.

So, guys, you've seen pre- and post soak pics here, I offer a "during" version.

I spent 30 minutes with them on in the tub (tried a self-pic, but that didn't work out at all).

This is about 30 minutes later, the dripping has stopped, but obviously they are still 100% wet and cling rather chilly on my butt. Brrr. This is a challenge (I did turn up the heat!).

Biggest surprise: no colour transfer, no bleeding at all. The (very warm) water stayed crystal clear. Is this always so with this fabric, Gun?

They don't feel all that much tighter, which, of course, might still happen with the drying. Sharp observers will have noted that the cuffs are gone for the moment, I'm very much in suspense whether there will be any when they are dry. I'd love to keep wearing them cuffed (yeah, I know, I'm a show-off...want everyone to see the distinct green selvage), but that may not be on offer with the shrinkage happening as I write this.

Guys, this needs to happen at the height of summer, not autumn. I'll keep moving a lot, have some nice music on (Taylor Hawkins, among others...these jeans make me feel like rock music!) and the heating is on max.

Next pic when they are dry, and yes, before any complaints come in, then I'm also going to be fully clothed again, no worries.

Jeans just experience their last dry minutes, the soak is going to happen right next hour. If I suddenly stop posting, that means I've died from pneumonia, acquired by letting them dry on my body in Berlin's autumn.

What size are Aong_sk`s, incidentally? I just love to look at his fit. Great.

*broad grin* from the madman....

Thanks, Gun, and I already pointed out that I was/am hugely impressed with Aong_sk's fit, I think it looks super cool, and that your slim cut jeans should absolutely be worn this way.

I will wear mine for this very night unsoaked and indulge in a bit of masochism, I guess. Then I hope to soak tomorrow, since we are promised an at least moderately warm day, which will make the drying on my body process a little less threatening.

I love these jeans!

Thanks for the first feedbacks. In other brands, I normally also wear a W 30. I discussed this with Gun when returning my W 29 to him, whether to go for a 30 or 31.

We mutually decided on the 30, and I will keep them.

Soaking will be done with me wearing them, and I count -again with Guns advice and support- on the stretching factor with continuous wear.

Eagerly and impatiently awaited, today they arrived, my second attempt at my artistdenims. This time a size 30 rather than the 29 I tried at first.

Once again, so many thanks, Gun, for the way you handled this!

First fit pics, fresh out of the box, before any soak.

Can't say they are 100% comfy at the start, the fabric is kinda rough, and with the tight fit, I do feel it. But I admit, I very much like it that way and am tempted to wear them a few days without actually soaking them. Any thoughts on this, Gun? Am I simply mad?

Oh, Avanty, absolutely second The Northern here. Keep them, wear them in, give them hell. Just consult Redstar's post a few entries up, how his great fitting and looking jeans "killed" his most precious parts in the early stages.

I actually think they already look great fit-wise, and will be so very great when worn in.

Oh, where in Germany are your folks? Let me know if I can do anything for them!

Goes to show: such a fit, such a fade with APCs is only achievable with some sacrifice.....

PeteZa: for what they offer, these jeans are v e r y attractively priced. Try to get hand-dyed natural indigo selvage denim jeans somewhere else (not to speak of some of the details!).

If you are prepared to take shameless advantage of Gun's friendliness, he just may be generous enough to deduct a small amount for shipping costs.

But please be fair and recognize that you're already getting great value for money as things are.

Really nice, redstar. I'd say the fit is perfect, 100% !

Free bump for the beautiful freak.

He's a good guy---so what he has to sell does deserve a fresh look by those who perhaps have not yet seen his offer.

My association to the unusual back pocket design is oars, as in rudders for rowing. Makes me think of the Oxford/Cambridge boat race.

They do take quite a bit of getting used to, but alone out of respect for the design of the entire jeans, I sure would not think of of unstitching.

So I received mine, and loved them very much indeed, with one sole, but decisive exception: I sized wrong. I wanted them to fit really snug, and the recommended (by the very master of artistdenim, Gun) W 29 turned out to be too optimistic, or perhaps too much with an Asian physique in mind.

I'm really mad that I have to return them and can't wear them immediately. The fabric is great, just what a hardcore denim freak loves, tough, even somewhat rough/scratchy due to the cane fibre content. Cut and make are excellent and on a level with the very top products of the premium denim range. What I love most perhaps is the hue of the natural indigo. Obviously one has to wait and see for the fading properties, but the promise here is top-notch as well. My hands had some exciting dirty blue on them just from trying the (darn!) too tight pair on.

Incidentally, Gun is most cooperative and forthcoming with the return/exchange, which is much appreciated. If only the wait for the sized up pair would'nt be so long !!! Somebody tell me about some psycho tricks to cope with my impatience, please!

Thanks D'eVils.

I did find a number of entries on google. but no website for this store, only apc.fr and reports, reviews, magazine reports.

I (sadly) take it the shop does not have its own website? Or I am (would not be the first time) the web ingenue who just cannot find the right path by himself?