INTEREST CHECK: Next Competition? - POLLS ARE FOR REAL CLOSED NOW!

[Broark]

Just wanted to share some realities about organizing this and what it means for our options, over the last month or so I've learned a lot and I want to share with y'all in an attempt to help with decision making.
I have a solid March '27 timeline from Rebuilt, but fact is we are limited by numbers. If we only go with this choice there might be people disappointed. Then there's the distribution of those spots, which could be difficult but I feel like I can figure a way that's as fair as possible for everyone.
LH is our most uncertain choice. He's a very busy guy and his popularity is growing (along with his backlog). I have no idea what timeframe looks like because of this. And he's currently focused on completing a run of special jeans for The Shop Vancouver.

Opinion has been split on adding Tender and HP to run side by side given the difference in product.
Do we mix things up so that we have more happy contestants? Or do we keep things streamlined? What we do know with these options is ease of distribution and timeline / capacity allows for more than 15 contestants.
Tender has been a staple around these parts (I've already gotten a pair that I haven't started wearing or shared yet because I'm excited for this to be a possible option).

And in the case for HP, Rix has been very ready and excited to jump into this. He's already working on a sample (I think he's likely planning to run this style regardless of if we hold a contest or not, just a matter of us having a contest around it with exclusivity).
He's excited to work with denim again and I think we'd have a lot of support plus positive engagement. I might be able to swing by his studio here in the next couple months when I'm out in SF and I could share additional behind the scenes shots on development.

Let all this sway you how it may, but I want to be as transparent as possible so y'all know what I'm trying to factor in here.
Thanks again to everyone for contributing and sharing their thoughts and ideas, excited to get this moving along.

[Double 0 Soul]

@Mtvare just doesn’t want to be at the checkout in Morrisons where Debbie says “ I like your jeans, you look just like Jason Monoa”  .. which is inevitable!

[Geeman]

4 hours ago, Mtvare said:

I've nothing against Jason Momoa but I've a lot against celebrity culture, so it's a big black mark against LH for me. Disappointing.

LH isn't on my radar anyway but the fact an actor has chosen to buy a brand wouldn't turn me off them? Paid, cheesy endorsement would, but fair play to LH if someone in the public eye has sought them out and paid their own money to wear them out of choice/appreciation 

Edited September 5 by Geeman

[Double 0 Soul]

an actor! .. we still talking about Jason here?

[PBTony]

27 minutes ago, Broark said:

Just wanted to share some realities about organizing this and what it means for our options, over the last month or so I've learned a lot and I want to share with y'all in an attempt to help with decision making.
I have a solid March '27 timeline from Rebuilt, but fact is we are limited by numbers. If we only go with this choice there might be people disappointed. Then there's the distribution of those spots, which could be difficult but I feel like I can figure a way that's as fair as possible for everyone.
LH is our most uncertain choice. He's a very busy guy and his popularity is growing (along with his backlog). I have no idea what timeframe looks like because of this. And he's currently focused on completing a run of special jeans for The Shop Vancouver.

Opinion has been split on adding Tender and HP to run side by side given the difference in product.
Do we mix things up so that we have more happy contestants? Or do we keep things streamlined? What we do know with these options is ease of distribution and timeline / capacity allows for more than 15 contestants.
Tender has been a staple around these parts (I've already gotten a pair that I haven't started wearing or shared yet because I'm excited for this to be a possible option).

And in the case for HP, Rix has been very ready and excited to jump into this. He's already working on a sample (I think he's likely planning to run this style regardless of if we hold a contest or not, just a matter of us having a contest around it with exclusivity).
He's excited to work with denim again and I think we'd have a lot of support plus positive engagement. I might be able to swing by his studio here in the next couple months when I'm out in SF and I could share additional behind the scenes shots on development.

Let all this sway you how it may, but I want to be as transparent as possible so y'all know what I'm trying to factor in here.
Thanks again to everyone for contributing and sharing their thoughts and ideas, excited to get this moving along.

So I must have totally misread as thought HP was the non denim choice? 

I was intrigued either way and tbh Tender was my last choice but there's a lot there that looks great just not a huge fan on the style of jeans but that's just my personal preference for jeans in the style of the big 3 

[MJF9]

I was in my LH tux at Tescos the other day and Mavis shouted 'eh up here's Aquaman'... I had to take off my Rototo beanie just to prove her wrong... she's such a piss taker... 

I originally thought who's that bloke with LH... never even knew who Jason M was... but fair play if he likes the gear (LH, FW or whatever) and is an enthusiast then he's just the same as everyone else in that regard... 

I just checked LH IG page - he's pinned Jason M... can't see anything on Jason M's IG promoting LH... dare I say they may even get along like a house on fire, who knows... LH has pinned TJ from The Shop who's been running a piece for months on his new LH jeans... TJ has passion for his clothes and business, so makes sense for him and LH to tag team... they are both enthusiasts and businesses after all so why not...

... anyway rambling over... back to the contest... I'll get my popcorn 🍿

[Broark]

25 minutes ago, PBTony said:

So I must have totally misread as thought HP was the non denim choice? 

Apologies if this wasn’t more clear, but it’s a non-traditional 5 pocket option. Essentially a pair of N-3 or P-41 inspired utility trousers instead of a typical 5 pocket design. Denim details to come but I believe he’s sourced some fabric from Collect Mills. 

[PBTony]

11 minutes ago, Broark said:

Apologies if this wasn’t more clear, but it’s a non-traditional 5 pocket option. Essentially a pair of N-3 or P-41 inspired utility trousers instead of a typical 5 pocket design. Denim details to come but I believe he’s sourced some fabric from Collect Mills. 

Ah got it. I must have just assumed non denim. This sounds great 

[space_cowboy]

1 hour ago, Broark said:

Just wanted to share some realities about organizing this and what it means for our options, over the last month or so I've learned a lot and I want to share with y'all in an attempt to help with decision making.
I have a solid March '27 timeline from Rebuilt, but fact is we are limited by numbers. If we only go with this choice there might be people disappointed. Then there's the distribution of those spots, which could be difficult but I feel like I can figure a way that's as fair as possible for everyone..
 

1 hour ago, Broark said:

And in the case for HP, Rix has been very ready and excited to jump into this. He's already working on a sample (I think he's likely planning to run this style regardless of if we hold a contest or not, just a matter of us having a contest around it with exclusivity).
He's excited to work with denim again and I think we'd have a lot of support plus positive engagement. I might be able to swing by his studio here in the next couple months when I'm out in SF and I could share additional behind the scenes shots on development.
 

It would probably be a shame to pass on those 15 pairs, especially if there's production time slotted already. The appeal to me for HP was the longer contest format which allows for the ability to wear other pants, plus I think a tux would be sick. I'm more of a lurker here, so don't factor in my opinions. Appreciate you for setting this up, Broark!

[tigerstrom]

Is it possible to just buy the pants if we go with Hendrix Park or is it tux only?

[Broark]

3 minutes ago, tigerstrom said:

Is it possible to just buy the pants if we go with Hendrix Park or is it tux only?

Tux totally optional!

[tigerstrom]

6 minutes ago, Broark said:

Tux totally optional!

Nice! I could definitely see me joining that then! Also fun with a more (for me) unknown company. 

Edited September 5 by tigerstrom

[MJF9]

Thanks for the additional info and work getting this moving and the discussion going @Broark

Contests go smoother if the maker is totally bought into the contest and has time to work with us on it e.g. sizing, resolving inevitable issues, coming along on the journey.  It seems that Rix gets top marks here.  It'd be good to get an opinion from Sufu peeps who have his products???  

Tender should also be easier to land as it's just off the shelf pairs and there is collective experience of Bill's products... do we know what models are coming through?  I've seen a few new ones, but would be good to know all of them as that's a factor.  Tender are tough nuts to crack - I think a longer contest would defo be better here, but I've said my piece on the slow fade contest.  Tender fades are fking great over the long haul.  So many examples in the 113 page thread and online.

LH I have already so less keen; Rebuilt potentially but low numbers mean a subset only enter which will limit the #LongLiveSufu objective.  I've got a rack full of 5-pockets I want to wear so not my preference generally, though noting both LH and Rebuilt look/are great. 

Edited September 5 by MJF9

[ATWM]

My spot - I’m currently just rotating worn pairs, appreciating what I’ve already started, but I’m about 80% set on Tenders again for my next pair from new. I can wait if there’s a comp for it, but if it doesn’t go that way that’s fine too. I can’t rule a last minute switch if somehow knowing more about whatever the comp is running appeals to me, but at this point I’m more set on Tender than the comp, for what it’s worth. 

[julian-wolf]

@Broark Thanks for the transparency, & again for doing all the leg work

Something that hasn’t been made explicitly clear up ‘til now: given that the LB option seems less optimal as a standalone contest due to quantity limitations: outside the context of a contest, would a 15-pair group order plausibly still be on the table?

[MJF9]

30 minutes ago, ATWM said:

My spot - I’m currently just rotating worn pairs, appreciating what I’ve already started, but I’m about 80% set on Tenders again for my next pair from new. I can wait if there’s a comp for it, but if it doesn’t go that way that’s fine too. I can’t rule a last minute switch if somehow knowing more about whatever the comp is running appeals to me, but at this point I’m more set on Tender than the comp, for what it’s worth. 

Which Tender model(s) are you considering for your next pair?

[JohnM]

By a twist of fate, Jason Mamoa has furthered the #LongLoveSufu objective.  Now if Clint Eastwood would weigh in on his Levi's 501 model from The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, the conversation could get really ... ugly, especially if Al Pacino or Matt Damon bids up the price of the Rebuilt LBs.  Sorry folks, slow day here.

Edited September 5 by JohnM

[Double 0 Soul]

If the patch depicts Aquaman on one side and Daryl Hannah from Splash on t'other pulling apart an octopus in a pair of 8 legged jeans, i'm in..!

[LazyS]

1st draft 

[Double 0 Soul]

My god.. this^ is incredible.

Can somebody make this happen.. c'mon, for me.. i've given so much to denim fora over the years and i've nvr asked for anything in return.. pleeease?!

[shredwin_206]

Rebuilt and Tender both would be dope 

[srudy]

Just my 2 cents, but I’ve been super impressed with Hendrix Parks, he’s super eager and does beautiful work. He worked at greasepoint for a couple years and learned to sew and construct and now is making his fatigues in Sausalito. I now have 3 pairs of his pants and looooove them. I’d be happy with any decision, but here’s a little taste of the ones I got from him after visiting his shop a few months ago. 

[ATWM]

3 hours ago, MJF9 said:

Which Tender model(s) are you considering for your next pair?

I haven’t done a dive on what’s available yet, but probably 132s or 125s if I can find the right pair - I do prefer something garment dyed too if I can. I’ve got a pair of 132’s in storage but they’re a size big, and for now I’d like something a little less voluminous for a long haul. 

Also yes - thanks @Broark for all the work you’ve put in thus far. 

Edited September 5 by ATWM

[Jared_Lee]

Let the people have their rebuilt contest. Yes, there are some limitations to that contest, but why get rebuilt on the line, host the poll, and then disregard the results? The limitations were known at voting. It'll be fine. Feelings will mend.

That being said, if separately a long-haul Henrix Parks contest moves forward, I'm in.

[Mtvare]

23 hours ago, Geeman said:

LH isn't on my radar anyway but the fact an actor has chosen to buy a brand wouldn't turn me off them? Paid, cheesy endorsement would, but fair play to LH if someone in the public eye has sought them out and paid their own money to wear them out of choice/appreciation 

No, sure - the fact that an actor chooses to wear their product doesn't put me off. It's the brand promoting their product as desirable on the basis that a celebrity wears it that I object to. Whether that was actually happening or not isn't now clear to me from what's been said and I'm not on Instagram.

Edited September 6 by Mtvare
Further clarification

[shredwin_206]

Rebuilt being the clear winner needs to happen but figuring out the other brand to go along is difficulty. 
or do we just do the smaller 15 count limit rebuilt contest and a seperate Hendrix and tender comp? 

[Double 0 Soul]

Do two contests but pitt them against each other like a denim bush tucker challenge / sufu showdown.. contestants take turns to be nominated by onlookers to do a mental or physical challenge, keep it friendly (go wash your jeans in a river, eat pizza from 3 different places in 1 week, run around the block in your jeans) which can be suggested by forum onlookers to gain rep.. at the end we tally up the rep and declare one thread the winner with an individual winning member based on votes..

[julian-wolf]

Strong agree w/ @Jared_Lee’s point: if the plan wasn’t to go ahead w/ a 15-person contest if Rebuilt won, then why were they included in the vote??

[MJF9]

The vote could have gone any way of 4, but Rebuilt won and that defo needs respecting. The challenge comes if >15 people want to actually join it (rather than just voting)… I’d assume >15 do want to but that will need testing at some point. The Q then is are some folk who voted ‘in’ happy to stand down. 

[Double 0 Soul]

It's all too complicated.. remember Paul the octopus who could predict the outcome of world cup footy matches.. you should have done summat like that, get some bits of paper, write down all the denim brands, screw them up into little balls.. get a snail from the garden, call him Tony, put all the bits of screwed up paper around the edges of a tray.. put Tony in the middle and whichever piece of paper Tony goes to first is the contest.. video it.

No arguments!