An Interview with Field Leathers

[MrProper]

I have the first jacket Greg sold under his label. I watched his preparations for a while on Instagram and then, in a spontaneous decision, I thought that such young companies had to be supported (and I needed a Shinki jacket). especially when they invest so much heart and soul. I think it's very cool how the label is developing. Let's see if my Badalassi project starts soon.

 

[handymike]

Justin, after your experience, I think some sort of fit-process would be a great thing.

 

[hondurasdave47]

My next jacket will be from Greg. It’s just a matter of saving up the scratch.

Also, has anybody checked out the FL x K&H Leatherworks collab? So clean.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHdN-2dAAfD/?igshid=1irytiit54icm

 

[Marc mndt]

My next jacket will be from Greg. It’s just a matter of saving up the scratch.

Also, has anybody checked out the FL x K&H Leatherworks collab? So clean.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHdN-2dAAfD/?igshid=1irytiit54icm

How cool is this Shinki credit card holder. I don't know whether or not it's made by K&H but it sure looks nice.

 

[Pandemic]

Justin, after your experience, I think some sort of fit-process would be a great thing.

I exchanged a few emails with Greg today. What a nice bloke! The price would come in the same as a custom Ridley with everything I want, but with some beautiful pigment dyed brown Shinki.

Thurston are great and I know the Aero would turn out really well, but I’m leaning heavily towards supporting this awesome start-up business and getting in before prices rise (how long before Field Leathers is THE name in the business and commanding the prices they deserve?).

 

[Jin431]

How cool is this Shinki credit card holder. I don't know whether or not it's made by K&H but it sure looks nice. View attachment 281031

The brown one he sent me was made from the old batch of shinki he had left over. Maybe the k&h collab will be different?

 

[tmitchell59]

Thanks for publishing this interesting interview. 8 years at Aero is significant experience to blend with his passion. He mentions Perfection, seems this is much in demand in this Trade. He went to work for John Chapman and now has his own one person operation. That takes courage and confidence. He seems up to the task. I wish him well and look forward to see more of his work.

 

[ProteinNerd]

Great interview @dudewuttheheck thanks for sharing.

I'll admit my passion for the hobby was pretty much killed off with my 6 year GW saga ending in disappointment but Field Leathers has given me a glimmer of hope again....maybe he would do a Surrogates repo...

 

[Edward]

I know a few people raise eyebrows at Greg’s prices,

It's all relative. Objectively, if you look at it as simply "a jacket", they are expensive. Relative to what he offers, however, I think it's fair to say you will get "more" for your money than buying a Japanese jacket OTR at the same price. The key is in full bespoke: there's a lot of work involved in coming up with an individual design, cutting a pattern specifically for an individual and ensuring the fit before you get into materials and actual production. Obviously for it to work as a business, that time all has to be paid for. Bearing in mind that down Savile Row, you're looking at four grand as a baseline for a jacket and a pair of trousers bespoke, and that suit worn as regularly won't last as long as a leather jacket.

I think there is huge potential if he can break out of the heritage market and grab the big spenders of the fashion / Pitti crowd.

I would lean to the view that the key for any new such business lies in maintaining the integrity o the product and design for the Heritage crowd, while also reaching out to those who don't care about "vintage". If you look at any business which lasts in this area, it's because of a mix of keeping the hardcore market who will continue to buy / wear a particular style vein whether it's "in" or not - your 'base' - while also reaching out beyond that to those who aren't interested in historical accuracy, o who are into modern fashion, but can be sold a 'cool jacket' - which just happens to be a vintage design.

 

[red devil]

I wouldn't use Savile Row as a comparison becuase that is another world, I can get a full bespoke suit from BKS for less and their measuring process is far more involved.

I think it is a very wise move to offer a cloth mock ups, that is what convinced me to place an order with him. It is a good way to get great fitting jackets and a varied portfolio to show prospective customers.

@JustinW , if the Ridley costs as much... I would definitely go for Greg over Aero.

 

[MrProper]

Ridley is a little bit cheaper.

btw. anyone who has ever tried to cut and sew something knows how time-consuming it is. Material, machines and labor and everyone will see that the price is reasonable. Whether everyone wants to afford it is another matter.

 

[Pandemic]

In the US, the Ridley is $1200 base, plus extra for better leather and design changes (another $150 to $300).

What impressed me about FL is that Shinki is included in the base price and I could make any design changes I could dream up without any additional cost.

 

[Marc mndt]

In the US, the Ridley is $1200 base, plus extra for better leather and design changes (another $150 to $300).

What impressed me about FL is that Shinki is included in the base price and I could make any design changes I could dream up without any additional cost.

I've written a review about my first FL custom build. As you can see from the photos, build quality is on another level (as compared to Aero).

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/full-custom-field-leathers-idaho-review.101857/

 

[handymike]

Col Littleton is a leather goods maker here in the US and they cater to a high end (custom leather luggage, etc) crowd. They used to offer jackets- a Highwayman, and a 50s HB clone. I think Greg could easily advertise to enthusiast groups like old car clubs and golf guys. They would probably appreciate a mix of vintage style and quality bespoke. He could even do Connolly to match the interior of your old Maserati.

 

[Edward]

I wouldn't use Savile Row as a comparison becuase that is another world, I can get a full bespoke suit from BKS for less and their measuring process is far more involved.

My lazy comparison - the point is, though, that you do pay al ot more for bespoke because there's markedly more work involved.

I think it is a very wise move to offer a cloth mock ups, that is what convinced me to place an order with him. It is a good way to get great fitting jackets and a varied portfolio to show prospective customers.

Certainly when parting with a large sum, at a distance, for something which is designed and cut for a specific customer's measurements (as distinct from a standard sizing), it will help to take a lot of the guesswork out of it, especially given leather than be tricky to adjust.

They would probably appreciate a mix of vintage style and quality bespoke. He could even do Connolly to match the interior of your old Maserati.

Interesting idea, though I'm not sure it's available. The original Connolly company ceased trading in 2002 after going bust trying to crack the American market. There is a 'successor' company run by the same family, but I'm not sure if they sell leather to other clothing makers or not as they have their own range now (oddly, not much leather in their clothing - more wool, with leather handbags and accessories). I know Aero stopped offering it years ago, but I'm not sure if their issue was a lack of available leather, or if it was a case that Connolly no longer sell it to other clothing companies, or it was a quantity thing. Aero's business model requires a certain level of availability of a hide before they will commit to offering it on their website.

 

[handymike]

They do!!!
http://connollybros.co.uk/monzacolourrange.html

And there are other places to get it...

 

[AeroFan_07]

^^ this looks rather intersting too! Lots of colors offered...
http://connollybros.co.uk/vaumol.html

 

[Edward]

There we are! The BRG looks nice, and the dark blue. A blue Aeromarine is always just one jacket after the next one for me....