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OUR STORY

About Iron Heart (Works Inc)

Shinichi Haraki established Works Inc (AKA The Works Inc, Japan) in 2003. After 20 years of working in the garment industry in Japan, beginning as a pattern maker for Edwin and advancing to designer and producer/director for the company, he decided to create a heavyweight Japanese clothing brand, aimed initially at the Japanese motorcycling community.

Giles Padmore and Haraki san started working together in 2005. This close partnership and firm friendship, coupled with the increased focus on the market outside of Japan which Giles brought to the party, has generated a loyal following throughout the world. Our customers come from all walks of life, and many of them – but certainly not all – are bikers. The common factor is a love of ethically manufactured, beautiful and durable clothing.

The Works Inc Ethos

The Works creates classic and timeless clothing crafted out of the finest materials to the highest standards. This is not reproduction clothing; rather the study of classic denim and workwear styles and constructing them for today’s lifestyle. No attention is paid to fashion trends, nor that other jeans manufacturers have jumped onto the heavy denim bandwagon in the last few years.

From the selection of the type of cotton used, to the weave of the denim, The Works is actively involved in the full garment lifecycle. This also includes designing and producing bespoke fabrics. The mills and workshops used are mostly small and family-run, whose deep pride in their products matches that of Works Inc.

Iron Heart Clothing

Iron Heart was originally made for bikers, and even today that focus guides design and construction of the clothing. Confident that the clothes appeal to a variety of owners, Haraki-san conceives of them to be worn by riders and for their preferences. Iron Heart garments are in the main made from heavyweight fabrics, designed to be durable, and to some extent protective for motor bikers. Iron Heart clothing is classic in materials and styling, using mostly flannels, denim and chambrays for shirts, and basing jackets on time tested military or riding favourites. Some designs – for example the 25oz XHS (extra heavy selvedge) denim jeans - are at the limit of what can actually be woven and sewn: “over-engineered is our starting point.”

The Iron Heart Forum

Iron Heart has a dedicated forum which we believe to be unique in the industry. Initially created to discuss Iron Heart clothing, it has developed into a friendly and interactive forum covering many aspects of today's lifestyle. With more than 5,000 members having signed up, it has become an extremely valuable resource for those wanting to find out more and to discuss Japanese and international clothing brands, shoes and boots, motorcycles, watches, coffee and much, much more.