Staff changes at Aero Leather

[wdw]

What kind of jackets would have the 6" strip?

The Stockman I got a couple of weeks ago had a 5 or 6" strip. I'd asked for a strip anyway, expecting the 2" one I'd had previously, but Ken said it should have been much bigger and I was happy to go with his suggestion (especially as I now know he designed the jacket in the first place).

 

[mattp]

This thread has reminded me about the Cafe Racer I should have had delivered this week in time for my 30th, but will now be arriving mid-January thanks to Aero disregarding all outstanding orders placed through Iron Heart, even if the order was for a 'normal' non-collaboration jacket, without any of those offensive IH modifications...
This is the second Aero I'll have bought this year, and I've seriously considered canceling it as to be honest this whole thing has left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. Instead of getting a whole UK winter of wear out of the jacket, I'll now get it days before I leave the UK permanently for much sunnier climes.
Sorry for the rant.

 

[Davy Crockett]

Why would you order a standard jacket through a third party when living in the UK if it wasn't off the shelf? seems like asking for trouble to me(no offence intended), also remember this jacket will last a lifetime and at 30 you'll be one of Aeros younger customers, you will have many years to enjoy it!
good luck in sunnier climes!
It is sad to see Will parting company with Aero I always found him very entertaining and charming, however all I hear about Holly and Ken makes me look forward to my next trip up to Galashiels, funds permitting!

D

 

[ButteMT61]

Oh, and Butte, send me a reminder tomorrow. Got some info on that Buffalo we talked about!

Woohoo!

 

[majormajor]

Called in at Aero today - Holly kindly explained all the changes to me. Had a quick walk round the workshop - SO many skins! - the place is a HIVE of activity - and such a pleasant, happy bunch of folks! AND I came out out with a very nice Cordovan FQHH Highwayman! Thanks so much, Holly

(posted in the wrong thread earlier - my apologies)

 

[ButteMT61]

Called in at Aero today - Holly kindly explained all the changes to me. Had a quick walk round the workshop - SO many skins! - the place is a HIVE of activity - and such a pleasant, happy bunch of folks! AND I came out out with a very nice Cordovan FQHH Highwayman! Thanks so much, Holly(posted in the wrong thread earlier - my apologies)

Yeah - Will's son showed me the lower levels where there was some cool stuff like reindeer and water buffalo and aliens from Area 51 Very fun place to go. Hope it all sorts out and works for everyone.There. Now be off grammar nanny

 

[Sloan1874]

Always surprises me that there's not more screaming from the workshop given the effort it takes to hammer the horsehide into place. I love the jacket room, just packed with works of art.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Yeah - Wil's sone showed me the lower levels where there was some cool tuff like reindeer and water buffalo and aliens from Area 51 Very fun place to go. Hope it all sorts out and works for everyone.

You folks on the left coast sure speak funny sometimes. Don't know if it's the accent..or what..[huh]:biggrin:

 

[cloudylemonade]

This thread has reminded me about the Cafe Racer I should have had delivered this week in time for my 30th, but will now be arriving mid-January thanks to Aero disregarding all outstanding orders placed through Iron Heart, even if the order was for a 'normal' non-collaboration jacket, without any of those offensive IH modifications...
This is the second Aero I'll have bought this year, and I've seriously considered canceling it as to be honest this whole thing has left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. Instead of getting a whole UK winter of wear out of the jacket, I'll now get it days before I leave the UK permanently for much sunnier climes.
Sorry for the rant.

There are various reasons why our partnership with Iron Heart was axed, and really I cannot go into them on a public forum. I'm very sorry about your disappointment, but we really had no choice but to move away. If you want to drop me a line about your situation, please do and I'll see if there's anything I can do to help you out with this. My email is holly@aeroleatherclothing.com.

 

[cloudylemonade]

Now you've got me confused. A little while ago I read that the Barnstormer liner is not attached to the bottom hem. Your explanation was that it would be in danger of tearing when sitting down with the longer jackets. The way I understood it all of your longer models had this kind of liner set-up. What kind of jackets would have the 6" strip?

I'd been second guessing myself last night, but I have checked and I am indeed correct. In longer jackets it's very common for us to reinforce the lining with a 6" strip of cord, but the lining is still not attached at the hem. And you are correct in the reasoning being to do with these reasons being linked to sitting down in your longer jacket, but its to stop the jacket getting crumpled, rather than the lining tearing (tho I guess in some instances this could be a risk too).

As before, the 6" strip could be inserted into many jackets, and is a great idea to protect lining from rubbing where there are cinch buckles.

 

[cloudylemonade]

Called in at Aero today - Holly kindly explained all the changes to me. Had a quick walk round the workshop - SO many skins! - the place is a HIVE of activity - and such a pleasant, happy bunch of folks! AND I came out out with a very nice Cordovan FQHH Highwayman! Thanks so much, Holly

(posted in the wrong thread earlier - my apologies)

You're very welcome, you really struck lucky finding that one!

 

[cloudylemonade]

I don't think the double side buckles, leather lined cuffs and oversize zips will be missed, but I think it's a shame to loose the 1 to 2" leather strip along the inside hem. You see many vintage jackets with the lining along the hem completely worn through in a line and I know corduroy would do the job, but it just doesn't look as nice imo. I wish I had added a strip to my Highwayman, because after a few months the lining was sagging down below the hem of the jacket and looked unsightly from the back - had to get my wife to sew a pleat in it to hold it up. Just my opinion.

The cord would sit much better than the leather does, which is why we don't want to continue offering this as an option. It can risk spoiling the line of the jacket.

Cord is the traditional method to stop this from happening. It is used for two reasons in particular, the cord grain is running across the bottom, not up and down which makes it a strong choice. And the lining sagging is caused by the fact certain materials don't have a tight enough weave which is why it tends to hang down if there's a lining like tartan, whereas cotton drill won't and neither will cord.

If you'd like us to fit a cord overlay on your jacket for you, we can free of charge, just email me and we'll make arrangements - holly@aeroleatherclothing.com

 

[John Lever]

We can’t go into all the reasons for Will Lauder leaving but I'm sure some of you are surprised and wondering why. For some years he appeared to want to go in a different direction than the original Aero template.

We hear he plans to set up his own leather company, I assume he’ll be taking a new design direction and using new leathers as there wouldn’t be much point otherwise.

To be fair, and so as not to compete with his new project in any way, we have removed all five of Will’s designs from our range and from out website, these are The Indiana, Radjacke, The HG-5, The Stuart and The Cruiser. Every other design on our site was by Ken Calder, including all the old favourites… The Highwayman which Aero started making in 1983, all the Half Belt varieties, Café Racer, the various Bike jackets, Barnstormer, Rallye, Grizzly etc and the full range of cloth jackets and knitwear.

We’ve also discontinued all Japanese fashion denim, Iron Heart, Flat Head, EightG etc, as is already known we’ve been selling these off at half price for several weeks. Most of which are sold out, but if that's your thing keep an eye and you might be able to grab a bargain!

I must correct you there Holly. The Radjacke was my design and was named by me. I sent the original 1930's German bike jacket to Will that was to be the basis of the design. I changed the button pattern and arm and shoulder patches to make the jacket easier to wear and to manufacture.
I gave the 90 year old jacket to Aero for it's archives.
Ken told me he found it recently.

 

[cloudylemonade]

I must correct you there Holly. The Radjacke was my design and was named by me. I sent the original 1930's German bike jacket to Will that was to be the basis of the design. I changed the button pattern and arm and shoulder patches to make the jacket easier to wear and to manufacture.
I gave the 90 year old jacket to Aero for it's archives.
Ken told me he found it recently.

Sorry John, if you would like us to continue offering the Radjacke in that case, we can reload it onto our system.

 

[John Lever]

Think it was perhaps from one of the Aero USA customers.

Nope from me....we made a couple of prototypes that were too long and too loose in the waist. You still have the original jacket somewhere.
Here is the first ever Radjacke and it's great grand dad.

This design has been around for years and I don't claim to have invented it, just to set in motion it's production and modification.

 

[John Lever]

Hi Holly,
I was always quite proud of my small association with Aero and was very happy to give the original jacket to the company. It would be great to see it reinstated. I believe it was a very popular jacket particularly in Germany.
A further suggestion would be to make a variant from Capeskin perhaps with a single diagonal map pocket on the chest.

 

[majormajor]

That is one very cool jacket

 

[cloudylemonade]

Hi Holly,
I was always quite proud of my small association with Aero and was very happy to give the original jacket to the company. It would be great to see it reinstated. I believe it was a very popular jacket particularly in Germany.
A further suggestion would be to make a variant from Capeskin perhaps with a single diagonal map pocket on the chest.

Consider it done, and if the Selkirk is also one of your designs (is that what you meant above?) that can be reinstated too, although I don't believe that has ever actually been on the website.

I'll pass on your design suggestions to my dad.

 

[John Lever]

Thanks Holly. No the Selkirk is not mine but I think it was very well liked and I am sure many would like to see it return.

 

[cloudylemonade]

Thanks Holly. No the Selkirk is not mine but I think it was very well liked and I am sure many would like to see it return.

If we can track down the originator we'd be happy to, if my suspicions of it coming from an Aero USA customer are correct, otherwise I'm afraid we'll be sticking by our statement of not offering Wills designs.

The Radjacke is back online now