Field Leathers

[Feliksas]

Tricky, tricky...because of how I plan to abuse my jacket, there's some threshold to what it can cost. But then there's also the question of who's willing to make it at all; Aero hasn't gotten back to me in 2 weeks about a type III variant, Thedi was pretty fast last time I asked, nothing heard yet from Field, although I wrote on a Thursday, so...maybe next week.

Alas, if it weren't for my desire to have something uncharacteristically long, I could get a 42 off the rack...

Will let you know how it goes,

-D

 

[MrProper]

Tricky, tricky...because of how I plan to abuse my jacket, there's some threshold to what it can cost. But then there's also the question of who's willing to make it at all; Aero hasn't gotten back to me in 2 weeks about a type III variant, Thedi was pretty fast last time I asked, nothing heard yet from Field, although I wrote on a Thursday, so...maybe next week.

Alas, if it weren't for my desire to have something uncharacteristically long, I could get a 42 off the rack...

Will let you know how it goes,

-D

Perhaps a Type 1 or Type 3 made from bison from Rugged West would be an option? Leilah will certainly make the jacket longer for you (although I doubt that this will look favourable).

 

[Feliksas]

Perhaps a Type 1 or Type 3 made from bison from Rugged West would be an option? Leilah will certainly make the jacket longer for you (although I doubt that this will look favourable).

This might be the lead that I was looking for! Very happy with Aero for fashion and durability, but this could be the jacket I get long, not for looks...much thanks!

 

[Bfd70]

Can anyone name a super small (1-2 people) where these crazy lead times is not the case? Seems the model doesn’t work.

 

[Tom71]

Can anyone name a super small (1-2 people) where these crazy lead times is not the case? Seems the model doesn’t work.

Not.if you’re trying to make a living, no. If the crucial factor is “time spend sewing the jacket together“, theres only so much you can do to optimise your processes Other than hiring more machinists.

I am currently speaking to a super small maker too. A rookie to the trade, and he charges EUR 1.400 per jacket. His approach seems sound, but that’s quite a prize for a newbie without any lookbook to speak off.
He‘s only accepting four orders per year, which is a good thing right now, but no way to turn a hobby into a profession.
I will let you know when my jackets sees the light of day.

 

[MickeyPunch]

Can anyone name a super small (1-2 people) where these crazy lead times is not the case? Seems the model doesn’t work.

I can say that I’m pretty sure Electric Leather Studio is a one man shop and I can’t say lead times are short but he was 100% spot on in both estimates he gave me. Maybe it’s a Japanese thing, but obviously being one guy there’s still the chance of illness and whatnot.

 

[Cheech]

Can anyone name a super small (1-2 people) where these crazy lead times is not the case? Seems the model doesn’t work.

Lost Worlds is known for a quick turn-around time.

 

[Bfd70]

Good point. My LW was complete exactly in the quoted time which was 12 weeks.

 

[El Marro]

Can anyone name a super small (1-2 people) where these crazy lead times is not the case? Seems the model doesn’t work.

I think it only works long enough to build the hype and then when the orders snowball it quickly becomes overwhelming.Overnight the dream scenario turns into a real nightmare with too many orders and only one person to make them.
Inevitably they run the risk of being called Clown Penis by loyal members of TFLU Local 1.

 

[Aloysius]

Can anyone name a super small (1-2 people) where these crazy lead times is not the case? Seems the model doesn’t work.

I know and have gotten from several, but I think the crucial difference is that they are primarily brick and mortar stores that market by word of mouth. A lot of tailor shops are like this–one or two cutters, and each customer is handled by a specific machinist whose work suits that customer's needs. The first suit I had made in London (and not even from a super expensive firm; one that is around Aero's prices) took about two weeks, including a delay from the fabric mill. I got patterned, had my fittings, etc in that time, and that wasn't a rush order. Also only paid 50% down, 50% on completion, and was fitted by the same guy who measured me and cut my pattern.

One in the workwear space that seems to have solid turnaround despite being a very small is TCB, but what helps for them is probably that even though there's just a couple of machinists, they have a handful of others who do things like run the business, accounting, website etc. I think there's probably an exponential value in those first few employees.

Not.if you’re trying to make a living, no. If the crucial factor is “time spend sewing the jacket together“, theres only so much you can do to optimise your processes Other than hiring more machinists.

I am currently speaking to a super small maker too. A rookie to the trade, and he charges EUR 1.400 per jacket. His approach seems sound, but that’s quite a prize for a newbie without any lookbook to speak off.
He‘s only accepting four orders per year, which is a good thing right now, but no way to turn a hobby into a profession.
I will let you know when my jackets sees the light of day.

I think this guy's approach seems sound. Set a firm cap so that it doesn't consume all of your time and you can deliver to your customers in time. Very curious about what you end up ordering.