The State of the Art in Japanese Outerwear: Freewheelers and Co 2012-13 Collection!

[indigoeagle]

Great stuff!
i personally have rainbow country leather down vest and i must say quality is top notch! Saw rainbow country b-3 here http://shop.mushmans.com/?pid=45500267 Price is an overkill, but leather and construction seems very nice!

That's a very interesting news! Do you have contacts? Maybe they have a website or a blog?

+1

 

[Ishmael]

Should be able to find all FW jackets (even the discontinued ones) listed here, along with some mind bending English.

http://global.rakuten.com/en/search?k=&tl=303885&sid=banana-f

The 6 pocket jacket in the photo on FW's blog was called the "3rd Stone", and it does appear to have been discontinued. The other jacket in the photo was called the "Little Wing".

http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/banana-f/item/1503118/

The 3rd Stone was also done in "Acid Blue" and both the blue and tan models were goatskin. Never thought I would say this about a jacket, but I think I like the blue one better!

The "Little Wing" was done in tan and black w /red contrast stitching in bull hide and had some crazy grain! And with an absolutely insane lining!
http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/banana-f/item/1494927/

 

[Sloan1874]

The 6 pocket jacket in the photo on FW's blog was called the "3rd Stone", and it does appear to have been discontinued. The other jacket in the photo was called the "Little Wing".

http://timesmarke.exblog.jp/12339139/

Edit: The 3rd Stone was also done in "Acid Blue" and both the blue and tan models were goatskin. Never thought I would say this about a jacket, but I think I like the blue one better!

http://item.rakuten.co.jp/banana-f/1503118/

Edit: The "Little Wing" was done in black w /red contrast stitching in bull hide and had some crazy grain!
http://item.rakuten.co.jp/banana-f/1494927/

Aero make a similar one, called a hippy jacket. http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com/product-detail.php?id=353, though loving the Little Wing jacket. That's leather with attitude.

 

[Ishmael]

Some serious attitude. (also FYI many edits to my post above)

 

[Ishmael]

Great stuff!
i personally have rainbow country leather down vest and i must say quality is top notch! Saw rainbow country b-3 here http://shop.mushmans.com/?pid=45500267 Price is an overkill, but leather and construction seems very nice!

That's a very interesting news! Do you have contacts? Maybe they have a website or a blog?

+1

Davidm, the RC vests are really nice! Glad to hear you were able to get one.

RC doesn't have a website and doesn't do any advertising. They are strictly a manufacturer, and that is the source of their "cost performance" as they say here. I was told that they will do custom work, but I believe that the figures I was quoted were a bit cost prohibitive. Think it was like $80 for any alteration. So $80 to have sleeves lengthened, and another $80 to have the body lengthened. That's what I am remembering, but I'll ask Fujita-san at Mushmans. Every summer they have an event at Mushmans and unveil their product line for the following season. There may be a chance to put in an order at that time for a custom job without upcharge. Again, not sure.......

 

[Ishmael]

FW has also added some new "Mulholland" pics to their blog, which probably means that a run of these jackets are in stock at Desolation Row and their retailers.

http://freewheelers.co.jp/blog/archives/3329

 

[Graemsay]

Some of the links to the Banana Fish store are blocked on the Global Rakuten site. Fortunately you can take a look at the original Japanese without impediment. The machine translation does read like the sleeve notes of a period stoner album though...

The blue Third Rock looks fantastic, but at around $2400 it should be. You could buy an Aero replica and an original for that.

The Little Wing is available in Green.

It maintains the tradition of crazy linings, with purple faux fur! That is decidedly non-original...

Getting my nerd hat on again, both of the replicas have the stash pocket in the collar that the original East West jackets did.

They're a lot more accurate replicas than Aero's, which seems to have been a simplified take on the originals. Both have their charms, but I'm about 10" too big in the chest for the Japanese models.

 

[indigoeagle]

Great info on the jackets.Thanks.
The collar pocket on the 3rd Stone is amazing. Apparently it was for MaryJ.

 

[indigoeagle]

More pics of the tan 3rd Stone jacket.

 

[tkoy]

I do like their Four Corners jacket and the Switchyard coat. The Four Corners jacket is a repro of a California jacket from the 40's I think. FW leather jackets are very nice.

 

[Ishmael]

Freewheelers have been slowly unveiling their 2012-13 lineup item by item on their blog and have finally got to a leather piece: the "San Mateo".

More pics of the "San Mateo" here: http://www.thewildone.jp/item/freewheelers-sanmateo-peters-30smotorcyclejk-rudeblack-horsehide/

For non-leather outerwear, the "Eisenstadt" wool coat is a standout IMO.

http://freewheelers.co.jp/blog/

 

[felix03]

Absolutely amazing stuff. Thanks for posting

 

[Sloan1874]

The back's amazing!

 

[Qinhan]

There are some differences, but the styling on the back resembles the FW Caboose Jacket.

 

[Deleted member 16736]

This jacket appears in a book of leather jackets. It was loaned to Ross langlitz to use for inspiration when he was starting out. Anybody know the book? Here's a link to it on eBay, except the seller curiously never mentions the book or shows the front cover:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1920s-70s-V...pt=Vintage_Men_s_Clothing&hash=item3a7d5dff14

Too bad there are no clean shots of the front of the San Mateo, but the back is a dead-ringer.

 

[Ishmael]

Yeah, I think the back is the exact same as the Caboose, except for the loops on the bottom, and the laces on the side. The front, however, is a very different animal.

I think this one, the Centinela, is also new.

http://www.thewildone.jp/item/freewheelers-centinela-leathertogs-rudeblack-horsehide/

 

[IXL]

Nice jacket! I need to find a good source for the "music gloves" the model is wearing.

 

[Qinhan]

Too bad there are no clean shots of the front of the San Mateo, but the back is a dead-ringer.

As posted by Ishmael, the front of the jacket can be seen here:

http://www.thewildone.jp/item/freewheelers-sanmateo-peters-30smotorcyclejk-rudeblack-horsehide/

These new designs aren't really my cup of tea but it's always interesting to see what FW release.

 

[ace12]

This jacket appears in a book of leather jackets. It was loaned to Ross langlitz to use for inspiration when he was starting out. Anybody know the book? Here's a link to it on eBay, except the seller curiously never mentions the book or shows the front cover:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1920s-70s-V...pt=Vintage_Men_s_Clothing&hash=item3a7d5dff14

Too bad there are no clean shots of the front of the San Mateo, but the back is a dead-ringer.

Joel, this is a coffee table book by Rin Tanaka. Alongside with brief explanation of motorcycle jackets from the golden era, there are loads of beautiful photos too! Mind you, it's not cheap but it's surely worth it!

 

[Blackadder]

I guess I should explain... my earlier comments were not intended as a "put down" of the Japanese in any stretch.. I'm just find it curious the western styles that become "fads" there from time to time over the years as all. I know Americans aren't immune to fashion fads, jeeze louise I lived through the Disco Era and the Urban Cowboy debacle. Every fad makes me shake my head... wherever it comes from.

Worf

Well, it is not that strange if you look at clothes from Mister Freedom, Rising Sun etc. The Japanese are making (copying) vintage clothes in size and cut that fit their physique.