Lost Worlds’ founder Stuart interviewed

[red devil]

Stuart hating this whole community? If you guys want to feel targeted, it is up to you. I don't and many others in this community don't either.

 

[Jejupe]

Stuart hating this whole community? If you guys want to feel targeted, it is up to you. I don't and many others in this community don't either.

If the shoe fits...

 

[Bfd70]

My favorite local athletic team is now owned by a person I find repugnant in action and word. I’m still a fan. Like Mich said unless we’re talking about the child sex trade or some other equally heinous act I can 100% separate the person from the product.

That said, i figure these sites are his only source of advertising...?

 

[ton312]

Honestly, you make him look like the worst human being on the planet. I don’t get it...

I think this is an overstatement Mitch. In this forum I have learned a tremendous amount from its membership. I really value the people who contribute here. Who actually contribute. But more importantly, I have made what I consider to be genuine friends, many of whom I communicate with outside this space. I’m sure that ups my
loser-hood 10 fold in Stu’s eyes. So yes I do take offense to his broad stroke commentary on forum users. Particularly because despite his self proclaimed expertise he doesn’t share it with anyone, anywhere beyond a few cheap lines on his website that looks to have been outdated in 1995. It’s a shame because I’m sure he could be a wonderful resource as a member here.

Had it not been for this forum I never would’ve bought an LW jacket. There was a great comparison thread here in 2010 or so detailing his d pocket vs Aero’s. I bought them both, a few times over. I would imagine the same could be said for everyone who owns an LW here. Now we have a bunch of new or relatively new members buying up a ton of his stuff. The guy should be thanking this place and others as they’ve probably single handily kept his doors open. Anyway I don’t think he’s the worst person on the planet at all. I think he needs a hug. And now I’m gay.

 

[red devil]

My favorite local athletic team is now owned by a person I find repugnant in action and word. I’m still a fan. Like Mich said unless we’re talking about the child sex trade or some other equally heinous act I can 100% separate the person from the product.

That said, i figure these sites are his only source of advertising...?

As far as I know he doesn't advertise, so pretty much yes

 

[dannyk]

I dont know....please no one think I am comparing these things directly. Some old dude making jackets is not the same as my comparison...its just the first comparison that came to my mind...so again do not take this as a literal one for one.

If I choose to feel targeted or if the shoe fits is crazy to me. Its like when someone is super racist saying well Im not (insert race) so I dont care. Someone who hates lgbtq people, well Im not that so i dont care. So on and so on you get the point. I have noticed some of the language on his site has changed over the years. But I remember like 4 years ago when I first started getting into jackets, it was even worse. To me when I add up all Ive ever seen and everything I know....he is literally saying all of us are super effeminate, narcissistic losers. Everyone except for a chosen few who are real men from a bygone era are worthy of his product. Unless you are an alpha superior male no one should own his jacket. If you are not that and do own his jacket he doesnt want to know about it, or thinks its a joke that you own it. In person he may be a completely different guy...which then begs the question why would he want his public persona to be that? Why would he want half the market to think hes a belligerent, super aggressive asshat? Again this is not a direct comparison I am not saying they are the same...but then it would be like saying well Hitler was alright in person, he just comes off bad, its just an act, or whatever.

I know these are not direct and some guy selling jackets as I said doesnt matter 1 tiny fraction of some of the things I mentioned. But I do feel that he is basically saying I hate most of you, you dont deserve my product, and has homophobic tendencies.

I do again think he makes insanely good jackets. He has skill and craft and ability that only few makers do. I openly admit the LW J-23 is one of my grail jackets. I can afford it, but havent bought it. I am waiting to see one come up here or ebay in my size because I dont know how i feel about him. I know hes from a different generation, seems unhappy with how his personal life played out, I want to cut him slack, I dont know him personally, his stuff is top notch. But any time I go back to his website I am turned off, angry, and say even if nothing he says applies to me personally I dont like what hes implying or saying about people. I dont consider myself a fashionista and in fact my wardrobe besides a few boots and jackets is pretty pedestrian and average dude my age. I dont consider myself especially effeminate or narcissistic. But what exactly is he implying? What is he saying and why? Hes a jacket maker, hype your leather, hype your craftsmanship and artistry. Brag on all you want. Tell the story of how you started and why you make the jackets you do. Hey you want to take subtle jabs at your competitors Im all for it. Often times I find it funny and just check out like the fast food places on twitter when they make fun of one another. But do not go after customers and potential customers. Dont make sexist, gay baiting, angry rants. But guess what here I am making a long angry rant, being pissed off about something and someone I dont even know. So maybe I am just as bad as Stu. Maybe I have no leg to stand on, maybe im just another angry white guy yelling into the void. So hey at least I can say I acknowledge what Im doing and admit its contradictory. But in the end Im not making jackets I have no customers or consumers, Im not taking their money while insulting them.

Guys Im sorry...I really like all you guys, I like being a member here, I hope this doesnt insult anyone or hurt anyone. I sincerely mean that, Ive actually become more like real friends outside of TFL with some of you. This is my piece, I said it, its out, Im done, Im moving on. I cant see this thread lasting too much longer if it keeps going down this road. I dont intend to stir this pot any further.
Edited for a few typos*

 

[Bfd70]

Read the thread first and then the interview. I expected it to be much more caustic. It just sounded like a cut-n-paste from his webiste.

 

[navetsea]

i think hating or despise is too strong of reading from it, seems like that was just his written persona of his branding "no bullshit non sensitive smug manly man thing written in the most passive aggressive way"

 

[Boyo]

Read the thread first and then the interview. I expected it to be much more caustic. It just sounded like a cut-n-paste from his webiste.

100% agreed.. I expected to be shocked.. it was nothing.
btw at the end of the Stu article is a video link to an interview of Ken Calder from Aero ( from 2016 but i had never watched it before) that was pretty good and with a great sound track too!

 

[Jejupe]

I don't consider myself a manly man and all that and I would probably tick many boxes on Stuart's list of dislikes. I could take Stuart's writings as a personal insult if I wanted to. But to be honest, I couldn't care less what he thinks of me as long as he treats me as an individual customer with sufficient professionalism and he makes me the product I want. I am not buying a smiley face and ass kissing, I am buying a kick ass jacket. That said, Stuart has never been anything but professional and friendly towards me.

In my opinion He, as all of us, is entitled to whatever opinions he has, and he is free to write those down if he wishes to do so. He makes jackets that I like and I'll buy them regardless of his opinions. But then again I don't get this modern trend of people getting insulted and hurt their feelings over everything that they don't agree, or what is not perfectly aligned with their own view of the world.

Luckily enough, even this niche world of high end leather jackets is full of options, and we all can back up our views and opinions with our wallet. If Stuart's opinions hurt your feelings too much, just don't buy his jackets. I'm pretty sure he doesn't care either way because he has chosen his own approach. Easy.

 

[Superfluous]

That is a very good question, certainly not us lol . . . he doesn't like a certain type of customer and these are the ones he is venting against.

@red devil ,

First and foremost, I have nothing but respect for you and my disagreement with your perspective on Stu does not diminish my paramount respect for you.

Your suggestion that Stu is not disparaging all TFL members (“certainly not us”) is demonstrably inaccurate. Read his rant proudly displayed on his website. Here are Stu’s exact words:

On the various flight and vintage jacket forums, where "men" put up digital pictures for their "buddies" of how they look in flight jackets -- children dressing up, no, cross-dressing as adults -- one can read expert instructions on aging, softening, antiquing new jackets to give them that flown-in look, for those whose knowledge of American history and masculine imagery are but flights of the remotest fantasy. There's putting 'em in the washer, sanding, nail polish remover, heat treatments. Avoid these forums, their self-appointed, fatuous "authorities" and instructions like syphilis if you want to know anything -- tanning, history, technical data (Nietzsche might say rulers are only for the small)-- about this important if esoteric niche of Americana. A disgrace that manly pursuits are contaminated by the unmanly. Welcome to the afterbirths of political correctness. Mass eunuchry -- a different kind of gun control.

Stu is expressly addressing – and disparaging – every single member of jacket forums, including TFL, and INCLUDING YOU. In the quoted text, Stu is NOT venting against “certain types of customers,” as you suggest. To the contrary, his rant does not mention customers at all. Rather, his rant is expressly directed at EVERYONE who posts on jacket forums, WITHOUT EXCEPTION. There are no carve-outs – no exclusions – no distinguishing between forum members. The wholesale disparagement applies to everyone who dares to post on a jacket forum. IMHO, there is no other rational interpretation of Stu’s words.

You frequently post wonderful photos on TFL of you wearing your superlative jackets. Your photos are fantastic and greatly enhance our community. Thank you – I really enjoy your photos. That said, Stu believes – and has publicly and permanently stated – that, because you post photos of yourself wearing your jackets, you are a cross-dressing child ("children dressing up, no, cross-dressing as adults"). Stu does not distinguish among those who post photos of themselves – Stu does not state that certain people who post photos of themselves wearing jackets are decent, upstanding folks, and only a small, defined segment of such people are cross-dressing children. To the contrary, his denigration is directed at everyone who posts photos of themselves, INCLUDING YOU. No exceptions or exclusions.

You regularly make informative posts on TFL wherein you share your invaluable knowledge, experiences, and opinions regarding leather jackets. Thank you for greatly enhancing our community. I really enjoy your posts. However, Stu believes that, because you post on a jacket forum, you are "unmanly," a “disgrace,” ball-less ("eunuchry"), delusional about "masculine imagery," and "fatuous." Again, Stu does not distinguish among those who post on jacket forums – Stu does not state that certain people who post on jacket forums are decent, upstanding folks, and only a small, defined segment of such people are "unmanly," a “disgrace,” ball-less, delusional about "masculine imagery," and "fatuous." To the contrary, his denigration is directed at everyone who posts photos on jacket forums, INCLUDING YOU. No exceptions or exclusions.

In fact, Stu expressly states that ALL jacket forums, including TFL, should be avoided like "syphilis." Again, Stu does not exclude TFL from his warning.

You have a different opinion of Stu based on your private communications with him. Of course, your private communications with Stu are not reflected on his website to temper his obnoxious statements and broad disparagement. Therefore, while I sincerely respect your opinion of Stu, I base my opinion on the words that Stu proudly displays on his website. He is a DB!

 

[antoine p]

@red devil ,

First and foremost, I have nothing but respect for you and my disagreement with your perspective on Stu does not diminish my paramount respect for you.

Your suggestion that Stu is not disparaging all TFL members (“certainly not us”) is demonstrably inaccurate. Read his rant proudly displayed on his website. Here are Stu’s exact words:

On the various flight and vintage jacket forums, where "men" put up digital pictures for their "buddies" of how they look in flight jackets -- children dressing up, no, cross-dressing as adults -- one can read expert instructions on aging, softening, antiquing new jackets to give them that flown-in look, for those whose knowledge of American history and masculine imagery are but flights of the remotest fantasy. There's putting 'em in the washer, sanding, nail polish remover, heat treatments. Avoid these forums, their self-appointed, fatuous "authorities" and instructions like syphilis if you want to know anything -- tanning, history, technical data (Nietzsche might say rulers are only for the small)-- about this important if esoteric niche of Americana. A disgrace that manly pursuits are contaminated by the unmanly. Welcome to the afterbirths of political correctness. Mass eunuchry -- a different kind of gun control.

Stu is expressly addressing – and disparaging – every single member of jacket forums, including TFL, and INCLUDING YOU. In the quoted text, Stu is NOT venting against “certain types of customers,” as you suggest. To the contrary, his rant does not mention customers at all. Rather, his rant is expressly directed at EVERYONE who posts on jacket forums, WITHOUT EXCEPTION. There are no carve-outs – no exclusions – no distinguishing between forum members. The wholesale disparagement applies to everyone who dares to post on a jacket forum. IMHO, there is no other rationale interpretation of Stu’s words.

You frequently post wonderful photos on TFL of you wearing your superlative jackets. Your photos are fantastic and greatly enhance our community. Thank you – I really enjoy your photos. That said, Stu believes – and has publicly and permanently stated – that, because you post photos of yourself wearing your jackets, you are a cross-dressing child ("children dressing up, no, cross-dressing as adults"). Stu does not distinguish among those who post photos of themselves – Stu does not state that certain people who post photos of themselves wearing jackets are decent, upstanding folks, and only a small, defined segment of such people are cross-dressing children. To the contrary, his denigration is directed at everyone who posts photos of themselves, INCLUDING YOU. No exceptions or exclusions.

You regularly make informative posts on TFL wherein you share your invaluable knowledge, experiences, and opinions regarding leather jackets. Thank you for greatly enhancing our community. I really enjoy your posts. However, Stu believes that, because you post on a jacket forum, you are "unmanly," a “disgrace,” ball-less ("eunuchry"), delusional about "masculine imagery," and "fatuous." Again, Stu does not distinguish among those who post on jacket forums – Stu does not state that certain people who post on jacket forums are decent, upstanding folks, and only a small, defined segment of such people are "unmanly," a “disgrace,” ball-less, delusional about "masculine imagery," and "fatuous." To the contrary, his denigration is directed at everyone who posts photos on jacket forums, INCLUDING YOU. No exceptions or exclusions.

In fact, Stu expressly states that ALL jacket forums, including TFL, should be avoided like "syphilis." Again, Stu does not exclude TFL from his warning.

You have a different opinion of Stu based on your private communications with him. Of course, your private communications with Stu are not reflected on his website to temper his obnoxious statements and broad disparagement. Therefore, while I sincerely respect your opinion of Stu, I base my opinion on the words that Stu proudly displays on his website. He is a DB!

You're misunderstanding what RD was saying when he wrote "certainly not us"- he was replying to this message:

How does one become one [those "who find necessary ego completion" in forums] and not the other? Where is the dividing line? Who is qualified to make this assessment?

It was a joke, suggesting those with thousands of posts on message boards are not the ones qualified to make that judgment. I found it funny!

Reading the quote you posted again, I don't think your interpretation of this could be more unusual. I read the quote as talking specifically about those who purchase flight jackets (not really the focus of this forum) and faux-distress them- widely looked down on here. Certainly not everyone in your capital letters and underlining over and over again!

Lastly, this quote you keep posting and referencing over and over again isn't "proudly displayed" on the LW website and hasn't been for years- it was taken down a long time ago. The only place you'll be confronted with that quote is right here, on thefedoralounge.com!

You should ease up with the patronizing tone, we're all adults here and are capable of reading and coming to conclusions on our own.

 

[Mich486]

Anyway I don’t think he’s the worst person on the planet at all. I think he needs a hug.

Exactly! He’s an old grumpy man I think that’s it.

No need to put him on a cross... not a fan of witch hunts either.

 

[Will Zach]

This thread is getting closed in 3.....2......1......

 

[Superfluous]

This thread is getting closed in 3.....2......1......

Before it does, @Mich486 -- your're right, he is not deserving of a witch hunt and cross. I probably went too far and apologize for that.

@antoine p , I was not aware that the statement had been removed. Thanks for the clarification. That is relevant and certainly mitigates in Stu's favor.

I'm done.

 

[Peter Bowden]

100% agreed.. I expected to be shocked.. it was nothing.
btw at the end of the Stu article is a video link to an interview of Ken Calder from Aero ( from 2016 but i had never watched it before) that was pretty good and with a great sound track too!

100% agreed.. I expected to be shocked.. it was nothing.
btw at the end of the Stu article is a video link to an interview of Ken Calder from Aero ( from 2016 but i had never watched it before) that was pretty good and with a great sound track too!

Some footage of Greg Field there too!
I am confused as to why Stuart agreed to be interviewed by a website devoted to classic men's fashion considering his views on fashion forums and the like.

 

[JMax]

I don't consider myself a manly man and all that and I would probably tick many boxes on Stuart's list of dislikes. I could take Stuart's writings as a personal insult if I wanted to. But to be honest, I couldn't care less what he thinks of me as long as he treats me as an individual customer with sufficient professionalism and he makes me the product I want. I am not buying a smiley face and ass kissing, I am buying a kick ass jacket. That said, Stuart has never been anything but professional and friendly towards me.

In my opinion He, as all of us, is entitled to whatever opinions he has, and he is free to write those down if he wishes to do so. He makes jackets that I like and I'll buy them regardless of his opinions. But then again I don't get this modern trend of people getting insulted and hurt their feelings over everything that they don't agree, or what is not perfectly aligned with their own view of the world.

Luckily enough, even this niche world of high end leather jackets is full of options, and we all can back up our views and opinions with our wallet. If Stuart's opinions hurt your feelings too much, just don't buy his jackets. I'm pretty sure he doesn't care either way because he has chosen his own approach. Easy.

There should be a triple-lindy like button.

I’d add the following to your list of trends— an inflated sense of their impact on a person, a thing, a movement, whatever. In this particular case, leather jacket commerce. Lol. TFL falling into a volcano changes nothing for LW, Aero, Vanson, Thedi, etc. The ones I’ve spoken to have never heard of TFL, but yes, let’s strike and bring Stuart to his knees. Damn him. Lol.

 

[Monitor]

IMO this turned out great for me! I'm angry at LW and refuse to buy and wear their jackets and at the same time, I can't find anything else that even compares in quality and looks which means I've nothing left to spend money on. Fantastic deal, as far as I am concerned.

 

[Dr H]

What size is it and what are you asking for it?

Wait a minute, wait a minute. Do you realise that there’s a multi-step vetting process to determine your suitability/alpha quotient before you can apply to buy...?

 

[Will Zach]

^^
He already said he is not manly.