The Denim Guy

It’s been a few months since we had our inaugural reader review photo shoot in December 2009 and back then our intentions were simply to provide our audience with useful information from fellow denim-wearers.  But when readership sky-rocketed into the thousands shortly after posting the first few reviews, I knew I had found a niche.  This was information readers across the country needed and I was the best resource to provide it to them.

And so with that in mind, I instantly began planning for the next round of reviews.  I learned a lot from the first round – things that worked, things that didn’t – and decided to pull from a much smaller pool of readers.  In addition, I’ve taken more of an editorial approach and am not only highlighting the denim with product shots, but also wanted to tell a story by encouraging our reviewers to interact during the photo shoot.

[ Reviewers: Tim and Vanessa]

What you’ll see over the next few months is a compilation of articles from 4 of our readers.  My hope is that you’ll connect with them and after time, feel like you know them.  And although it may appear that working with less people made this round of reviews much easier for me, it was quite the contrary.  Not only were we receiving inquiries from premium denim lines to participate, but from shirt and shoe lines as well, which created the perfect storm of endless wardrobe options. We even have a maternity review this time!

[Reviewers Joslyn and Wesley]

I would like to extend a special thank you to Creative Rec for sponsoring our shoes and Chaser Tees for sponsoring some of our shirts.  Your support allowed us to take Season 2 to a whole new level.  Thank you!

[ Joslyn & Vanessa in Chaser Tees] [Image by Joanne Rapadas]

[ Joslyn & Wesley in Creative Rec shoes] [Image by Joanne Rapadas]

Also, to Kristin Holtzendorff for generously doing hair and makeup for all of our participants this season – your talent is amazing!  My gratitude to one of my oldest friends, Joslyn Davis, for generously lending her time to help us find the perfect location for the shoot . And to Chris, our resident photography and post-production expert who patiently put up with our antics for the entire day – I can’t thank you enough.

[ Kristin Holtzendorff working on Joslyn's Hair & Make Up] [Image by Joanne Rapadas]

[Chris & Kristin... That's a WRAP]

And to one of my best friends and pillars of strength, Joanne Rapadas, I thank you for lending your photography skills this season and always being a sounding board for me.  Your talent never ceases to amaze me!

[Joanne Rapadas working away]

With all this said, I hope you enjoy what we have in store for you. In this season, I’m sure you’ll find more useful information to help you in your denim selection process, and if not at least be a little entertained by the results of our photo shoot.  I had a blast working with both old and new people, and trust me – it was no easy task, but I was more than happy to do it.

Regards,

Johnny Pinto

The Denim Guy

[Edited by Joanne Rapadas]