MEET THE IRON HEART CREW
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Meet the crew
You have likely spoken to one or all of us throughout the order process or on the forum. However, it's time to put a face to the name and give a little bit of info about the crew.
Feel free to ask any questions if there's anything you're interested in knowing! Without further ado and in no particular order..
IRON HEART JAPAN - Key International Crew
Shinichi Haraki
Job/Role: Boss
Join Date: Since the beginning - 2003
Bio: I worked for a jeans brand for 3 years and experienced. Then, I worked as a freelancer and did design, pattern making for 20 years. After that, I established IRON HEART.
Quick Fire Favourites!
Denim: 21oz Selvedge
Jeans: IH-634S
Shirt: Chambrays
Non-IH Brand: Levi’s, Danner, Patagonia, Nike
Food to have in the office: Rice Crackers
Tom san
Job/Role: A person responsible for sweets/snacks
Join Date: Same as Boss
Bio: BOSS had been my boss before he started IRON HEART. Then he started IRON HEART and I became what I am.
Quick Fire Favourites!
Denim: 21oz Selvedge
Jeans: IH-634S
Shirt: Overdyed IHSH-33
Non-IH Brand: Lindts LINDOR
Food to have in the office: 70% Cacao chocolate
Sarina Matsumi
Job/Role: Communicator
Join Date: 2011
**Bio:**I was born in Kojima and grown up in Amekaji industry. ( I think first time I met Haraki san, I was a teenager! ) Haraki san contacted me when the former translator left the job. At that time, I was about to get a Japanese teacher job in Singapore. So, I started this job for a temporay period. But now I have been doing over 8 years and I’m enjoying it!.
Quick Fire Favourites!
Denim: Natural Indigo
Jeans: IH-555N
Shirt: UHF's
Non-IH Brand: Tiffany
Food to have in the office: Tea in my Thermos
Shuhei Yasuda
Job/Role: Kojima shop manager / In charge for overseas shipping
Join Date: April 2016
**Bio:**One of my school teacher’s friend had connection with BOSS. I started to work full time after working as a part timer for a few months.
Quick Fire Favourites!
Denim: 21oz selvedge
Jeans: IH-666s-21
Shirt: IHSH-33 and UHFs
Non-IH Brand: REDWING FTC BLUCO VANS
Food to have in the office: Yakult 400LT (a probiotic drink) and frozen baked rice balls
IRON HEART INTERNATIONAL
GILES PADMORE
DOB: 14/09/1957
Job/Role: Founder
Join Date: Since the beginning - 2005
Bio: Long-time appreciator of denim and all things Japanese. After a long and varied career working internationally, mainly in the former Soviet Bloc, I happened upon the Japanese Amekaji (American Casual) scene. I knew I needed to be involved, so fired off emails to a few brands asking if I could look after their interests outside of Japan, Haraki replied with a yes. The rest is history.
Quick Fire Favourites!
Denim: Original 18oz Raw
Jeans: Anything with 666 in the lot number
Shirt: Changes from week to week
Non-IH Brand: Ripple Fisher - Japanese fishing rod manufacturer, GOOD ART HLYWD
Food to have in the office: Curry
PAULA PADMORE
DOB: 12/01/1958
Job/Role: Finance
Join Date: Since the beginning!
Bio: Over 35 years in various roles, mainly marketing and events. Married to Giles so having supported him part-time him since he set up Iron Heart, I finally gave up my events management business in around 2012 to join him full time in this crazy (wonderful) business. I now work from home, with occasional stints in the office when an extra pair of hands is needed.
Quick Fire Favourites!
Denim: 14oz overdyed
Jeans: 777s
Shirt: IHSH-96
Non-IH Brand: impossible question for me, I have recently bought several pairs of trainers from HOKA One One because they are amazingly comfy and I like the brand ethic
Food to have in the office: Working from home I can always raid the fridge, usually I’ll grab a hunk of Giles’s home-made bread and eat it toasted with cheese…
ALEX PADMORE
DOB: 24/09/1990
Job/Role: Managing Director
Join Date: Jan 20017 (Full time), various part-time work beforehand
Bio: I'm Giles & Paula's son so have always been around the business, helping Giles pack orders from the spare bedroom before the forum even started. Over the years I helped out as holiday cover shipping when G&P went abroad for trade shows or holidays but made my own career as a Commercial Diver in Portsmouth, doing anything from cleaning racing yachts, to civil engineering projects on rivers and dredging Portsmouth Harbour for the arrival of our new Aircraft Carriers. I wanted out of the diving around the same time G&P were looking for a spare pair of hands at work so I started helping out part-time in the packing area and gradually worked my way up to the position I now do and eventually buying IHUK from G&P in late 2021.
Quick Fire Favourites!
Denim: 19oz Left Hand Twil
Jeans: 634S-19L or 555S-SBG
Shirt: IHSH-218
Non-IH brand: Rats, Monadic, Nine Lives
Food to have in the office: El Yucateco Salsa Picante Roja de Chile Habanero (or anything else hot)
ADAM CRAWSHAW
DOB: 22/07/1989
Job/Role: Operations/Logistics Manager
Join Date: April 2018
Bio: After studying Sports and Nutrition at university and travelling the world for 3 years, i stumbled across Iron Heart during a chance meet with Alex. After discussing my plans to move from London to Pompey, the opportunity of a short stint at Iron Heart to help out was discussed while i looked for something more permanent in the area. 2 and a half years later I havnt taken a single glance back. Love my sport, avid Manchester United fan (next season is ours). Have recently stepped up my running and cycling game with the aim to take on a marathon in 2021. When I am not in work you will find me behind the BBQ at home with a beer in hand or paddle boarding across Southsea beach
Quick Fire Favourites!
Denim: 21oz
Jeans: 888
Shirt: Kersey or IHSH-237 - tough choice!
Non-IH Brand: Trophy Clothing
Food to have in the office: Caramel Shortbread Bites!!!!
ADAM JAMES
DOB: 17/10/1994
Job/Role: Creative Manager
Join Date: July 2017
Bio: Found my way in to the world of denim after leaving university without any real passion. Since then I have worked in most areas of the business. You’ll currently find me in the new office, working on all things website!
Quick Fire Favourites!
Denim: 21oz SBG
Jeans: Any 555
Shirt: IHSH-192 - never been so excited to buy a shirt in my life
Non-IH Brand: P&Co or Carhartt WIP
Food to have in the office: Pringles! Any chip and dip. Graham will attest to this.
STEVE CURTIS
DOB: 02/02/1969
Job/Role: Lead Designer
Join Date: May 2018
Bio: 70s style. 80s music. Head says Helvetica, heart says Cooper Black. I can colour between lines and press a camera button.
Quick Fire Favourites!
Denim: 21oz
Jeans: 777S-21
Shirt: IHSH-176
Non-IH Brand: saturdaytypefever - obviously! But also Levi - mainly because it was the Levi Ad 'Launderette' in 1985 that got me into denim and advertising/design.
Food to have in the office: Donuts
GRAHAM MCNEIL
DOB: 07/08/1983
Job/Role: Customer Service Manager
Join Date: February 2019
Bio: After spending 15 years in the hospitality industry I found Iron Heart after being interested in the denim scene for a while before. I am a big fan of tattoos as you may have seen from IH or Sonder Supplies pictures! Big lover of music, regularly subjecting the guys in the office to anything from metal through to jazz!
Quick Fire Favourites!
Denim: XHS all day long
Jeans: Any 666
Shirt: IHSH-215 - Sell me your XL pleas!
Non-IH Brand: I can’t live with out Carhartt WIP’s Chase range
Food to have in the office: Huel / Always waiting for the next communal donut drop!
BEN ANDERS
Age: 36
Job/Role: Logistics and Customer Service
Join Date: October 2020
Bio: A few years ago my girlfriend told me about her housemate buying some jeans you're not supposed to wash for the first 6 months. This piqued my interest and after some further investigation i was completely hooked. I find the whole concept of really well made things improving as they age extremely fascinating. I have previous experience working with Vintage clothing which is a huge passion of mine.
Quick Fire Favourites!
Denim: 18oz Vintage
Jeans: 634S-18
Shirt: IHSH-234-BLK
Non-IH Brand: Boncoura
Food to have in the office: Marmite rice cakes
JOHNNY AEMSAKUL
Age: 38…but people think I’m 26 (It’s the Thai genes)
Job/Role: Content Creator
Join date: 11th Jan ’21
Bio: Shot music videos for some of the biggest artists in the world, to heading big retail brands such as Apple and Ray-Ban, to being given full autonomy to grow independent brands such as Nixon, to then performing and touring Europe playing to crowds up to 30,000 with my band, to running the London marathon a couple times, to then fighting 3 times in one night to win a Muay Thai championship, to then be able to photograph with some amazing brands and models and everything in between. Always a lover of fashion, more so a lover of Japanese brands and craftsmanship. Working for IH was a no brainer.
QUICK FIRE Q’s
Denim: Black and slim fit.Jeans: Black and slim fit
Shirt: Black and slim fit
Non-IH brand: Visvim, Radiall, Challenger, NBHD, WTAPS
Food to have in the office: Them breakfast rolls they had at the Forum BBQ.
JOSH COE
Age: 30
Job/Role: Logistics / Customer Service / Repairs
Join date: 15th Nov '21
Bio: Im 30 years old and i have recently moved back to Portsmouth after living in London for the last 5 years working for Nudie Jeans in the Soho and Shoreditch store. I love my beers and food and used to play a lot of football and rugby before i moved up to London. Im also a bit of nerd with my love of films and games. looking forward to getting to know you all and chatting.
QUICK FIRE Q’s
Denim: Nudie / Iron HeartJeans: 888
Shirt: TBC - undecided!
Non-IH brand: Nudie, Carhartt WIP
Food to have in the office: BEER
ROSS PHILLIPS
DOB: 25/01/1991
Job/Role: Logistics / Customer Service
Join date: Dec 21
Bio: Ross has lived on the south coast near Portsmouth all his life, and has a wealth of experience in customer service through various roles over the last 4 years. Ross describes himself as a real foody/glutton, he enjoys playing video games and has recently taken up being a biker for the first time and is really enjoying it, even if it is only on a little 125cc (in his head it's a Harley..). Ross was introduced to Iron Heart by an existing customer and is very excited to get stuck in and chat to many of you in the near future. Ross' vitals have also been added to the staff vitals thread.
QUICK FIRE Q’s
Denim: 21ozJeans: 888
Shirt: IHSH-314-RED
Non-IH brand: Indian
Food to have in the office: Donuts
LUCIE PERKINS
DOB: 22/02/1989
Job/Role: Bookkeeper
Join Date: November 2021
Bio: Most recently from a freight accounting background, it’s a breath of fresh air to join the crew here @ Iron Heart and be part of this incredible brand, built through hard work and dedication. I’m enjoying working with this fun and colourful team. When I’m not crunching numbers in the office, you’ll probably find me on the side of a mountain somewhere, pretending to be Tenzing Norgay! (By mountain, I mean Snowdon). I have a little boy who I adore and keeps life super fun and super busy.
Quick Fire Favourites!
Denim: TBD
Jeans: TBD
Shirt: TBD
Non-IH Brand: Disney
Food to have in the office: Grenade Bars (and Pump House Nick’s jacket potatoes)
ALEX BAILEY
DOB: 15/01/1987
Job/Role: Logistics / Customer Service
Join date: March 2022
Bio: Born and raised in Gosport. I enjoy painting, playing guitar and going to music gigs in my free time. My favourite bands are Don Broco, Deaf Havana and The Smiths. Other interests include NFL and collecting vinyls. I'm looking forward to getting immersed in the Iron Heart brand and become a valuable member of the team.
QUICK FIRE Q’s
Denim: 17oz NaturalJeans: 777N
Shirt: IHSH-317-YEL
Non-IH brand: P&Co
Food to have in the office: Anything with a sugar hit washed down with coffee
ALEX(we can't have another one) FREEMAN
DOB: 19/06/1992
Job/Role: Logistics / Customer Service
Join date: Jan 2023
Bio: I've lived on the south coast pretty much all my life. I play guitar in a Post Hardcore band called Acres and have been touring for the last 10 years. I've been working in customer service for around 9 years. Previous to joining the team I was running the taproom at Fallen Acorn brewing Co. which is where I was introduced to Iron Heart. I'd describe myself as a secret nerd.
QUICK FIRE Q’s
Denim: 14oz Black Black
Jeans: 555
Favourite band: Circa Survive
Favourite snack at work: Shin Cup Instant ramen
Fav non IH brand - Carhartt WIPSAM DAVIDSON
DOB: 02/05/1980
Job/Role: Marketing & Video
Join date: Jan 2023
Bio: My biggest passion in life has always been music and I’ve spent the past 20 years or so gigging around the UK with various bands, most recently with local charity fundraising/drunken busking group, The Southsea Alternative Choir. I’ve lived on the South Coast pretty much all of my life (there’s nothing like the fresh sea air to wake you up in the morning!), I love cycling (which I need to do to offset my equal love of craft beers) and most weekends when I’m not gigging, you’ll find me dragging (or being dragged by) my two kids on muddy adventures through the woods.
QUICK FIRE Q’s
Denim: 18oz
Jeans: 555
Shirt: IHSH-218-BLK (huge fan of the Man in Black!)
Non-IH Brand: I have a slightly unhealthy obsession with Adidas Superstar II's
Food to have in the office: I want to say fruit…but it’s definitely crisps (Walkers Prawn Cocktail if you’re asking)JAMES BARRY
DOB: 04/12/1985
Job/Role: Logistics / Customer Service
Join date: May 2024
Bio: A former head chef from Gosport who took an interest in Iron Heart due to living close enough to see the daily activity (and awesome jeans) - this was enough to make me curious! I am a keen football fan, player and coach. I follow Portsmouth, and coach an U14's side in Gosport. Outside of football, I love retro gaming and of course, Pokemon. Looking forward to working with the team and speaking to you all!
QUICK FIRE Q’s
Denim: 14oz
Jeans: 666
Shirt: IHSH-388-BLU
Non-IH Brand: Pokemon
Food to have in the office: Jammie DodgersNICK CHARALAMBIDOU
Job/Role: Social Media
Join date: October 2024
Bio: From the world of comms and digital content copywriting; a social media geek by day, content creator and podcaster by night or day. Done a bit of blogging and 'ye olde football influencer stuff' over the years, founding a successful podcast and formulating a team of creators. Never game over, which is why I'm a grown man that still plays video games. Also currently sat in purgatory as a South Stand Tottenham season ticket holder. Love reading stoic philosophy and graphic novels. I did say I was a geek.
QUICK FIRE Q'S:
Denim/Jeans: Going to keep this TBC, but if it fades majestically, I'm all in.
Shirt: Gotta be blue or green (darker colourways).
Non-IH Brand: Bit boring this; Nike Jordan/Air and Adidas tracksuit tops. All Saints. Fred Perry. Football casual fits.
Food to have in the office: Greek olive bread (oven cooked to hard crust perfection).SHAUN EDNEY
DOB: 18/10/1990
Job/Role: Logistics / Customer Service
Join date: October 2024
Bio: I’ve lived in gosport my whole life and after working in web testing for 8 years I was looking for something different to do with my weekdays so you can imagine my surprise to find such an exciting and welcoming company and community right under my nose. Im a proud nerd when it comes to films, a bit of a barstool philosopher and absolute Japanophile (Been twice and definitely going back). Im learning a lot about the wonderful world of denim already and really looking forward to working with the team and chatting with all of you.
Quick fire Q’s
Denim: 17oz
Jeans: 555N
Shirt: IHSH-336-OD
Non-IH Brand: DC (Batman) and when it comes to clothing, I love a good charity shop find
Food to have in the office: Pocky sticks or anything involving cheeseLYNNE CURTIS
Job/Role: Sewing Specialist
Join Date: November 2024
Bio: Born in Gosport, I was soon whisked abroad where I learned to walk on the Khyber Pass, learned to ride on a Saudi king’s horses, and learned to drive over Dubai’s sandy dunes.
My career has been just as exciting. Working in travel and marine marketing, I continued to see the world thanks to my clients. I was also thrilled to work with WWF (a charity close to my heart)…and I once sparked a nationwide hunt for The Beano’s missing Gnasher.
Textiles and sewing have always been a passion. I love to collect fabrics on my travels - indigo, Japanese minimalism, and traditional techniques inspire me. I’ve also run businesses making coats with detachable collars and cuffs, and bags from recycled and vintage fabrics. So, I’m stoked to be able to develop my skills here at Iron Heart Int. and to also be a part of Project RE:LOVE, with some very exciting things coming soon!
Oh, and yes, I’ve been married to Steve in Creative for 30 years. I’m a saint.Quick Fire Favourites:
Denim: 14oz selvedge black/black - buttery soft, hems like a dream
Jeans: I haven’t worn them in ages - I need to shrink-wash myself first!
Shirt: My handmade chambrays
Non-IH Brand: Niwaki - obsessed with their tools and lifestyle
Office snack: Dark, dark chocolate buttons - a guilty pleasureThe devil is in the detail..
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raises hand
"yes Jeff go ahead"It's nice to meet all of you. I have talked to almost every one of you at one time or another on chat or when selecting a product to buy, and i have to say that what sticks out the most to me is your business culture at Iron Heart. I get the same exact top tier customer service every time, no matter how many questions i have or who i ask.
That is what forms a good sustainable business. I've seen so many restaurants and shops start out hot, and then the customer service and quality of food or product fizzles out and their reputation goes downhill. The world has a "cancel culture" right now where the smallest slip up can snowball downhill into an avalanche.
Giles can can be concise with his responses, but most of us know he'd rather be fishing than answering "what is selvedge denim?" or "what does UHF stand for?" multiple times per week.
It's very impressive what you all have achieved and continue to achieve with a small crew in Gosport and I for one will be supporting this brand as much as i can (which isn't enough in my eyes).
Thanks and keep up the over engineered customer service.
-Jeff
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Thanks a lot Jeff.
Giles can be concise with his responses,
Sorry about that :). In fact, I am banned from the CS system, because my answers, whilst usually (but not always) accurate, are a tad terse.
Thanks and keep up the over engineered customer service.
We will, it is central to what we do and who we are. When I formulated how we would run the business, I realised that on the web, you can differentiate yourself in 2 ways, 1) Price and/or 2) Customer experience. We can't do 1, so we absolutely have to do 2….
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It's nice to learn about more about all guys who I pester with measurement questions over email all the time. Content like this is what sets Iron Heart apart from the rest for me. That and the fact that no other clothing has fit me so well. Cheers boys.
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Great group of very well dressed and helpful people right there!
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ALEX PADMORE
Quick Fire Favourites!
Shirt: Sample IHSH-178 replacementDoes this mean that the 178 is also being replaced with the 19oz LHT over-dyed?
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@Giles are you guys still hazing/initiating the new employee? Did you give him an IH shirt and then send him around London, and he can't come back till he finds one better?
