Q&A with Mirco aka @rocket19

For the past three months that I been doing these weekly Q&As with blue bloods on Instagram (you’ll find all of them here), you’ve learned how the guys I’ve talked to run their Instagram feed and how they keep their denim game fresh.

One of my favourite questions is the ‘how did you get into denim’ one. And Mirco aka @rocket19 has one of the most interesting answers so far. He knows the exact date that he got into raw denim. It’s all documented in his Instagram feed! Here’s his story.

Et opslag delt af @rocket19 den 25. Mar, 2018 kl. 1.13 PDT

What’s your story

Name: Mirco von Bergen

Birth year: 1980

Location: Baden, Switzerland

Profession: R&D engineer in turbocharging

I live with my wife and our newborn daughter outside the small town of Baden, which is almost countryside but still close to urban places. Perfectly located.

I’m into all kinds of sports. I love jogging in the forest, which opens just behind our home, but I also like playing tennis.

Other interests involve a lot of vintage stuff, especially hi-fi, furniture, music, watches and more.

Mirco’s Instagram Feed and How He Keeps It Updated

Thomas: How did it all start with your Instagram feed?

Mirco: I’m been on Instagram since 2012. What started with random and occasional pictures changed dramatically at the end of 2016, when I first discovered raw and selvedge denim.

After that one crucial day, and because of finding and meeting so many cool and like-minded people on Instagram, I started posting daily.

Now, since we have the luck to experience the amazing challenges of raising a baby, I post a little less ?

T: Why Instagram? What are your goals?

M: I have no goals with it, actually. Just getting inspired by other enthusiasts and sharing the passion.

Instagram is the only social media I use. It’s easy to find content about your interests and likewise easy to ignore things you don’t want to see.

It’s also very easy getting in touch with people from the denim community, not only because of the platform but also because the community is very open and is accepting newcomers.

Et opslag delt af @rocket19 den 4. Jun, 2018 kl. 12.53 PDT

T: What’s the story behind your username?

M: People had been calling me ‘rocket’ for ages, and when I started with Instagram. That was even taken, so I had to add a number ?

T: And the number was just random?

M: It was my number on the football team at the time ?

T: How much time do you spend on Instagram on a daily basis?

M: Honestly, I can’t tell. I just know it was too much ?But I guess it levelled in now with about one hour a day.

T: How do you take your photos? And which tools do you use?

M: I try to keep it simple. The only tools I use is a smartphone and Snapseed if editing is needed (which is mostly the case ?). All photos are taken mostly by my wife or by myself.

T: What’s your editorial flow?

M: Sometimes, I get ideas while on Instagram, but mostly it happens very spontaneously. Since I’m not too creative, there’s not really much of a plan.

T: Do you make it a priority to post on a regular schedule? And how do you remind yourself of it?

M: I post evenings, simply because it’s the only time of the day that I have time for it. I don’t need a reminder because the community reminds me with notifications.

T: What are your favourite locations to take photos? And why?

M: Honestly, I couldn’t tell, as long as it’s outside. Over time, I’ve realised that escalators are really cool ?

T: Do you repost?

M: Actually not, unless it’s a request to participate a competition ?

Et opslag delt af @rocket19 den 21. Sep, 2016 kl. 9.10 PDT

Mirco’s Style and Denim Passion

T: How did you get into raw denim?

M: Until that specific day in September 2016, when we came by the Edwin Surplus store in southern Germany by coincidence, denim was generally a disappointment for me. Ugly washes and terrible fits.

Overwhelmed by the massive choice of fits and styles, I found myself inside the fitting room with this unusually rough and stiff denim, experiencing the greatest fit. I had no idea that I was about to buy my first pair of raw selvedge denim jeans.

It was the ED-71 in Edwin’s 14 oz. red selvedge, and thanks to the booklet hidden in the back pocket, I figured out why the denim was so tough. That booklet got me hooked! I started researching these hashtags in Instagram, and the rest of the story is the result you see on my feed.

Et opslag delt af @rocket19 den 2. Mar, 2017 kl. 1.12 PST

T: What is your favourite feature of jeans?

M: There are so many details to like on a pair of jeans, I don’t even know where to start. Besides the selvedge, I really like it when a manufacturer pays attention to details like the rivets and buttons. The stitching too or a special leather patch on the back has the power to make a pair of jeans look even greater.

T: How do you wash your denim?

M: I mostly start by soaking my denim and only washing it if necessary. I vary the temperature of the water depending on the fit. If the fit is a bit loose, I use warmer water.

T: What’s your favourite fit? And what’s your least favourite fit?

M: As a small dude, I usually go for a slim tapered fit. To get my 30″ length, I usually need to do hemming from 34″ to 30″. That kind of ruins the fit.

In fact, I also like the loose style from the 1940s. I just don’t know how to wear it. A total no go for me and my body type is a bootcut.

Et opslag delt af @rocket19 den 22. Aug, 2018 kl. 1.07 PDT

T: Which boots and leather goods do you wear with your denim?

M: Mostly my Red Wing Iron Rangers muleskinners, but recently got a brown 8196 briar oil round toe. For more formal occasions, I wear NAVYBOOT and Ted Baker.

I am not very well equipped with leather accessories but I love my trucker wallet from the local artisan Gabbi Art. Besides, I use belts and a keychain from Edwin and Nudie.

T: Which sneakers do you wear?

M: This is tough, always struggling to find something special, but I’m currently totally into my all-denim Vans.v

Et opslag delt af @rocket19 den 28. Mar, 2018 kl. 1.00 PDT

T: Your favourite item that’s not denim or leather?

M: I like to give my denim a dapper look, so combining it with my NAVYBOOT waistcoat is great, I guess.

T: Where do you buy your gear?

M: Unfortunately, many local stores in Switzerland can’t survive anymore, but @vmcoriginal @deeceestylezurich and @denimandiron are all great shops located in Zurich.

Otherwise, most of it happens online. Denim from smaller manufacturers I usually buy directly on their homepage. Otherwise, it’s of course @cultizm and @denimio_shop.

T: What styling tips would you give to your followers?

M: Be yourself and wear what makes you feel comfortable. This is easier said than done, as I had to experience myself.

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