Dakota James Spicer

Dakota

Documentaries on the world's master makers and heritage brands. Subscribe for stories on clothing, footwear, and gear built to last a lifetime.

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    Léon Denim: Building the Philippines' First Raw Selvedge Brand with Iver Aldas

    In this episode, Dakota sits down with Iver Aldas, co-owner and creative director of Léon Denim, the Philippines' first raw selvedge denim brand. Iver shares his journey from photojournalism into the world of heritage menswear, exploring how vintage Hollywood cinema, Japanese craftsmanship, and Thailand's custom denim culture helped shape the brand. We discuss the realities of building a denim brand in the Philippines, from sourcing specialty materials and operating vintage machinery to finding skilled local labor and manufacturing high-quality garments in a challenging climate. The conversation also explores the philosophy behind slow fashion, the importance of investing in well-made clothing, and Ivor's larger ambition: empowering Filipino artisans, elevating local tailoring, and building a stronger future for Filipino craftsmanship. In This Episode: 00:00 – Introduction and early style influences: Marlon Brando and James Dean 01:31 – Discovering raw selvedge denim in Thailand and starting Léon Denim 04:13 – Inspiration from vintage military garments and history books 05:52 – The all-out mindset: quality over quantity 07:41 – Manufacturing challenges: skilled labor, vintage machinery, and raw materials 09:56 – Heavyweight selvedge and designing for the tropical climate 12:51 – Slow fashion vs. fast fashion 15:53 – National pride and the future of Filipino craftsmanship 17:05 – Supporting local tailors, fair wages, and building a technical trade school

    Léon Denim: Building the Philippines' First Raw Selvedge Brand with Iver Aldas

  2. Sep 28

    91’s: Post-Heritage Menswear Made in the Philippines

    91’s is Gino Lo’s label: post-heritage menswear, made to order in the Philippines, cut from deadstock cloth. The reference points are military archives, French workwear, and Japanese menswear. The clothes are not copies of those things. They are built for a Filipino wardrobe — canvas jackets with a tailored shoulder, shirts that can actually be worn in this heat, pieces that connect to Willie’s Leathers and 13 Lucky Monkey instead of sitting alone on a rack. Makabagong pamana. Estilong Pilipino.A modern inheritance. A Filipino style. This film is Gino, the shop logic, and why 91’s is trying to build a full language rather than a drop. Chapters00:00 Intro: Gino & 91’s01:07 Local Artisan Collaborations02:27 Tailored Ruggedness & Individual Style03:32 Garment & Footwear Showcase06:11 Ordering Process & How to Find About 91’sTimeless, functional uniforms for everyday wear. Rugged cloth, tailored proportions, made to age. Made to order: choose fabric, confirm the size guide, 50% deposit, about one month lead time. Watch on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/gxioAQA3Csg

    91’s: Post-Heritage Menswear Made in the Philippines

  3. Sep 18

    From Sculpt to Silver: 13 Lucky Monkey

    In a world of mass-produced jewelry, a small silversmith workshop in Manila is still doing it the long way: wax first, silver second, one piece at a time. I visited 13 Lucky Monkey, where founder Dante Dizon and the sculptors turn ideas into handmade rings — from the first wax model to the finished cast. Every commission is built around the person who will wear it. They talk about why custom jewelry can feel as personal as a tattoo, and how motorcycle culture, religion, folklore, art, and lived experience show up in the metal. This episode follows the process inside the shop: how a design becomes a sculpture, how silver is cast, and why they want the work to look used rather than polished — the opposite of fine jewelry. Watch the full documentary on YouTube:https://youtu.be/z4juslXHVPM 13 Lucky Monkey:https://www.13luckymonkey.com/ In this episode:[00:00] Intro[02:10] Inside 13 Lucky Monkey[05:13] From design to finished piece[08:16] Creating one-of-a-kind jewelry[09:51] Final thoughts CONNECT WITH DAKOTAFacebook: https://facebook.com/share/17ypbrvc9zInstagram: https://instagram.com/dakotajamesspicerThreads: https://threads.net/@dakotajamesspicerYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dakotajamesspicerTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@dakota_james_spicer If you enjoy documentaries about heritage craftsmanship, handmade goods, Filipino and Japanese artisans, leatherwork, denim, boots, and the people preserving traditional skills, follow the show and leave a rating. It helps more people find the work. Thanks for listening.

    From Sculpt to Silver: 13 Lucky Monkey

  4. Aug 21

    How Willie’s Leathers Builds Boots in the Philippines

    In a world of mass-produced, single-use footwear, a small group of artisans in Manila is defying the trend. Join me as we step inside Willie’s Leathers to uncover the meticulous process of hand-welted boot making. From the initial foot measurements and pattern cutting to the traditional hand-lasting and final buffing, we explore why there is no substitute for a pair of boots made specifically for your anatomy. We also sit down with a repeat client to discuss the personal experience of custom fitting and the long-term durability of these heritage-quality boots. In this episode: [00:53] The custom measurement process at Willie’s Leathers. [01:37] The precision of pattern making and leather clicking. [03:02] The traditional hand-lasting and sole assembly. [05:43] Finishing touches: Staining, buffing, and the unboxing reveal. [06:32] A "Willie’s Addict" shares the reality of custom fit vs. off-the-shelf sizing. WILLIE'S LEATHERSFacebookFacebookInstagramCONNECT WITH DAKOTA📘 Facebook: 📷 Instagram🧵 Threads🎵 TikTokIf you enjoy documentaries about heritage menswear, raw denim, leather goods, handmade footwear, traditional craftsmanship, Japanese-inspired workwear, Philippine artisans, and products built to last, subscribe for more.

    How Willie’s Leathers Builds Boots in the Philippines

  5. Aug 17

    Making Heritage Menswear Accessible in the Philippines: A Tour of Sunset Dry Goods

    Join me as I sit down with Ponch, owner of Sunset Dry Goods, for an inside look at how he’s making heritage menswear, Japanese workwear, and vintage Americana more accessible to the local market in the Philippines. In this episode, we take a full tour of Sunset Dry Goods and explore the three distinct sections of the store. We start with Johnny’s Wear-Alls, the brand’s in-house label, which bridges high-quality Japanese and Korean textiles with local Filipino production. From there, we explore the imported section, featuring heavyweight names like TCB, Pherrow’s, and Big John. Finally, we dig into the store’s collection of rare deadstock vintage Americana, with pieces spanning from the 1950s through the 1990s. Ponch also breaks down his design philosophy, why fabric sourcing comes before design, and how he adapts classic heritage silhouettes and construction techniques for the warmer Philippine climate. [00:00] Introduction to Ponch and the mission behind Sunset Dry Goods[00:40] The origin and purpose of Johnny’s Wear-Alls[01:24] Adapting heritage cuts and fabrics for the Philippine climate[02:35] A walkthrough of the three levels of Sunset Dry Goods[03:39] Exploring imported Japanese and international brands[05:52] Heavy-duty leather goods from Show Your Hem[06:22] The vintage Americana and deadstock collection[07:05] Ponch’s vision for the future of the brand Watch the full visual tour on YouTube:https://youtu.be/FMkYfFrTtlk Follow my documentary-style brand stories on YouTube:@dakotajamesspicer If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to follow the show on Spotify and leave a rating. It helps more people discover the show and supports future episodes. Thanks for listening!

    Making Heritage Menswear Accessible in the Philippines: A Tour of Sunset Dry Goods

  6. Aug 12

    How Evisu Jeans Took Over Hip-Hop and Streetwear

    How did a hand-painted "joke" on the back of a pair of jeans become a $300 global status symbol? In this episode, we dive into the fascinating story of Evisu, the Japanese denim brand that perfectly bridged two completely different worlds: traditional Japanese craftsmanship and loud American hip-hop culture. We explore the roots of the "Osaka 5," the obsessive preservation of vintage denim, and how founder Hidehiko Yamane’s irreverent seagull logo evolved from a small workshop experiment to being name-dropped by Jay-Z and Lil Wayne. From the slow, mechanical Toyota G3 shuttle looms to the volatile mid-2000s and the brand's modern resurgence, this is a story about why authenticity doesn't always have to be quiet. In this episode, we cover: The Outsider: How Hidehiko Yamane pushed back against the industrialization of denim and founded Evisu. The Joke: The two origin myths behind the iconic hand-painted seagull logo. The Craft: The extreme, stubborn purity of the 1924 Toyota G3 shuttle loom and loop-dyeing techniques. The Export: How the anti-fit silhouette became a staple in London rave culture and American hip-hop. The Fall & Rise: Debt, counterfeit floods, restructuring, and what Evisu looks like today. Special Offers: Check out Dehancer, the film emulation plugin for digital footage mentioned in this episode. Use code DAKOTADISCOUNT for 10% off. 00:00 - The $300 Jeans That Defined an Era00:29 - Act 1: The Outsider & The Osaka 501:49 - Act 2: "The Joke" and the Seagull Logo02:43 - The Extreme Purity of the Toyota G3 Loom03:26 - Sponsor Break (Dehancer)04:52 - Act 3: The Export (London Rave & Hip-Hop Culture)06:18 - Act 4: The Fall, Debt, and Restructuring07:22 - Act 5: The Modern Rise & The Evisu Paradox

    How Evisu Jeans Took Over Hip-Hop and Streetwear

  7. Jul 30

    Samurai Jeans & The Story of How Denim Came to Japan

    Japanese denim is more than clothing—it is a tradition built on craftsmanship, patience, and relentless attention to detail. In this episode, we explore how Japan became the global leader in premium denim, why Kojima in Okayama Prefecture is considered the sacred birthplace of Japanese jeans, and how vintage shuttle looms preserved the legendary fabric known as selvage denim. From the rise of Japanese mills in the 1960s to the worldwide surge in demand for heavyweight denim, discover why Japan refused to abandon traditional manufacturing methods even as the global market rushed toward mass production. We then dive deep into Samurai Jeans, one of Japan’s most respected denim brands. Founded in Osaka by Toru Nogami in 1997, Samurai built its iconic reputation by pushing the limits of heavyweight denim, embracing beauty in imperfection, and treating jeans as something to be earned through wear rather than simply purchased. If you appreciate heritage craftsmanship, raw denim, Japanese culture, or simply want to understand what makes Japanese jeans the finest on earth, this episode is for you. Contact: Instagram #SamuraiJeans #JapaneseDenim #RawDenim #SelvageDenim #Craftsmanship

    Samurai Jeans & The Story of How Denim Came to Japan

  8. Feb 25

    Made in Japan: Studio D'Artisan (The OG)

    The Origins of Japanese Raw Denim 👖 In 1979, in Osaka, Shigeharu Tagaki rejected mass production and revived obsolete shuttle loom manufacturing. While the global denim industry moved toward speed and uniformity, he pursued texture, irregularity, and historical reconstruction. That decision helped ignite the Japanese raw denim movement and reshape premium denim worldwide. In this mini documentary, I explore: The rise of Japanese raw denimWhy vintage American workwear disappeared from U.S. productionHow Japan preserved and reconstructed traditional denim manufacturingWhy slow-woven selvedge denim became the global benchmark for quality and craftsmanshipSelvedge DenimDenim woven on narrow shuttle looms that create a self-finished edge. Known for its durability, dense weave, and clean outseam finishing. Raw DenimUntreated, unwashed denim that develops unique fade patterns through years of wear instead of factory distressing. Shuttle LoomA traditional weaving machine that uses a back-and-forth shuttle to produce lower-tension fabric with natural slub, texture, and character. Toyota G3An early 20th-century shuttle loom produced by Toyota Industries. Revived in Japan to recreate the texture and character of vintage denim. Vintage Levi's 501The iconic American workwear jean that inspired Japan's reproduction movement and influenced generations of denim makers. Osaka FiveThe pioneering group of Japanese denim brands that led the selvedge revival and helped establish Japan as the global leader in premium denim craftsmanship. "Reconstruction of Great Old Things"Studio D'Artisan's founding philosophy of reviving lost manufacturing techniques rather than simply copying vintage aesthetics. Topics Covered Japanese raw denimSelvedge denimStudio D'ArtisanOsaka FiveShuttle loomsToyota G3Vintage Levi'sHeritage workwearJapanese craftsmanshipDenim history #Osaka #JapaneseDenim #RawDenim #SelvedgeDenim #StudioDArtisan #Heritage #Workwear #MadeInJapan

    Made in Japan: Studio D'Artisan (The OG)
  • 8 Episodes

About

Documentaries on the world's master makers and heritage brands. Subscribe for stories on clothing, footwear, and gear built to last a lifetime.

Information

  • Creator
    Dakota
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dakota
  • Show Website
    Dakota James Spicer