Retailer in Focus - Rivet and Hide
Our new Made in Japan collection has just dropped at the outstanding Rivet & Hide, purveyors of the best in Japanese selvedge denim. Dawson Denim is now available at both at their newly opened flagship store at 11-12 Old Burlington Street, London W1S 3AG, and in Manchester. It’s a partnership built on a long-standing relationship grounded in craftsmanship, authenticity, and shared values.
“The deeper I get to know Japan, the more it lends context to what we sell,”
Rivet & Hide founder Danny Hodgson’s journey into the world of raw denim is far from typical. Before launching one of the world’s leading destinations for heritage menswear, Danny spent over two decades in aviation, delivering exceptional service to high-profile clients across the globe. It was there he developed a keen understanding of hospitality—how to make people feel genuinely valued, whether they were a Prime Minister or a grandmother visiting family abroad. That philosophy remains central to Rivet & Hide’s ethos today.
The spark that ignited Rivet & Hide came during a springtime walk through San Francisco’s Mission District, when Danny stumbled into Self Edge and left with his first pair of Skull jeans. It wasn’t just the product itself that struck him—it was the experience, the passion, and the attention to detail. “With Nudie, I saw how raw denim aged and shaped over time. But with Skull and Self Edge, it was something more—the feeling of buying from a business that was truly passionate about what they were doing. That encounter left an indelible mark. I doubt Rivet & Hide would exist without it.”
"With Dawson Denim it’s exciting to be part of that evolution.”
In simpatico with our brand Danny started out from home, the early days of the business were both exhilarating and challenging. Moving into the first physical store in Fitzrovia marked a significant step forward, and he vividly remembers meeting customers who had travelled from all over Europe, Australia, and beyond. “Back then,” he says, “I could remember not only their names, but where they lived and what they’d purchased.”
From the very beginning, Dawson Denim has been part of Rivet & Hide’s story. Danny recognised something special in Dawson's commitment to British-made craftsmanship, stocking the brand from its inception and championing its growth—even when looser fits and niche detailing sat outside the mainstream. Over the years, the connection has only strengthened, forged not just in business but over countless shared experiences: travelling together to Japan, navigating Tokyo’s backstreets, trading yakitori stories alongside the teams from Self Edge and Iron Heart. These are the kind of relationships that aren’t just professional—they’re rooted in genuine friendship, mutual respect, and a shared love for the craft.
Fast forward to today, Rivet & Hide has grown exponentially and now operates from a stunning triple-fronted space at 11–12 Old Burlington Street, backing directly onto Savile Row—the very heart of British tailoring. The move was a deliberate one, allowing the brand to give its collections room to breathe, with expanded fitting rooms and an environment that truly reflects the quality of the makers they represent. But despite the grander setting, Danny and his team have worked hard to maintain the relaxed, personal atmosphere that defined their original Windmill Street store.
The surrounding Mayfair neighbourhood is rich with its own quiet charm. For coffee, The Service on Savile Row and Nkora on Old Burlington Street both offer carefully crafted brews and calm, stylish interiors that feel completely in tune with the Rivet & Hide ethos. And just around the corner, José Pizarro at the Royal Academy serves some of the city’s best Spanish food—a favourite for Danny, whose 15 years in Madrid left a lasting appreciation for simple, beautiful dishes done right.
Meanwhile, in Manchester, the Thomas Street store is firmly rooted in the Northern Quarter—an area known for its creativity, independent spirit, and industrial heritage. Just a short walk from the shop, Just Between Friends is a go-to spot for a laid-back coffee, perfectly brewed and unfussy. Like the neighbourhood itself, it’s a place where quality and character come first.
“It’s about telling a story that’s easily understood, rooted in craftsmanship and character.”
When it comes to selecting brands, Danny is clear: quality is the baseline, but the people behind the brand matter just as much. Rather than expanding endlessly, Rivet & Hide focuses on collaborating meaningfully with a select group, ensuring that every piece works cohesively within the broader narrative of the store. “It’s about telling a story that’s easily understood, rooted in craftsmanship and character.”
True to Rivet & Hide’s attention to detail, it’s not just the garments that set the tone—it’s the atmosphere of the space itself from the custom made sofa, hand finished Fyne Audio speakers and bespoke French Walnut cabinets, right down to the music. Danny and his team curate the in-store playlists with the same care he applies to sourcing brands: eclectic, timeless, and authentic. Expect a blend of post-punk icons, 70s and 80s classics, and a few surprises—David Bowie, The Smiths, Arctic Monkeys, Blondie—all balancing edge with familiarity. To shift the mood entirely, he even includes selections of English choral music, offering customers a moment of calm amid the buzz of London or Manchester. And in true collaborative spirit, he has taken the time out to create a Dawson Denim playlist—one that captures the rhythm, culture, and craft behind everything both brands represent.
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