A lot could be said about this store.
"It posses elan...it's a cutting edge fashionista outpost...scrappy entrepreneurial spirit...DIY ethics..."
One could point out how expensive the denim is.
There could be the notation of the groundswell in the denim movement worldwide...and Self Edge being the epicenter...
But me?
I would simply like to understand what is happening there?
Is it a drug front?
How are they paying the rent?
Is there a 'happy ending' to the non-existant sales team there that I do not possess the code to?
I visited the store last year. I knew they are very conscious of appearance, and super into what they do...having worked in the fashion industry for many years. I have spent a great deal of time in Japan, and love selvedge denim...having quite a personal collection. I dressed accordingly, wanting to be engaged, and be able to drink in the stock directly and hear the proprieters insights.The visit went like a really stiff Jr. High dance...very vague greeting, met with no real follow-up. The telephone call they recieved while I was there seemed to mean more (giving directions that are available ONLINE) than me, the physical customer who drove across the bay to visit the store specifically. Did I mention parking in the Mission on a weekend?
SO, the knot of $100 bills in my pocket stayed there.
I felt quite snubbed, and my afternoon wasted.
About eight months passed...and I thoght, "Hey, maybe I caught 'em on a bad day... I don't always jive with my customers every time...I'll give 'em another chance...as there are some specific $400 pants I want."
Well, when I visited again recently...the exact same thing happened. The salesperson could have been on Mars for all the help I was given. I knew what jeans I wanted, what size I needed, and was sporting some really sweet and rare selvedge denim jeans, thinking..."Hey, maybe they don't want to chat with non-clued-in schlubs from the 'burbs"...yeah, I know..PANDERING. But, like I said I REALLY wanted these jeans, and had a couple of grand in my pocket to fatten the jeans drawers at home. Retail therapy!
Nope.
Not to be...the salesperson treated me like a bumpkin, and didn't want to engage in meaniful dialogue about various weaves, stock origins or 'bring me into' the store's philosophies. Just stood there with blank looks that were really off-putting. Like I was a distraction.
SO, if I were to recommend to anyone the GOOD side of the store?
I would simply use it as a physical location to get sized for Iron Heart, Sugar Cane, and other highend denim to aid in your purchases of these brands on eBay.
Yeah, eBay. You can buy the same Iron Heart jeans they sell for $380.00 for about $250.00 on the 'Bay. Oh, and they will be delivered to your house without any ill effect. read more