Vanson open house. Worth going to?

[felix03]

Vanson's having an open house this weekend in SF: http://editor.des07.com/vo/?FileID=...b-cc00-43d3-ab8a-2c09dc537ce8&MailID=28046127

Just seeing if anyone's been to any other vanson open houses and if it's worth visiting.

 

[Peacoat]

I haven't been, but if they came to my area, I would go. Would like to see their offerings. Plus, meeting Kim Vanson would be worth the price of admission. I talked to her on the phone three or four years ago, and I would like to see if the rest of her is as nice as her voice.

 

[technovox]

Thanks for the post. I might try to make it over there later this afternoon. I've always loved the Vanson competition cowhide. Unfortunately, their jackets never seem to fit me quite right. Maybe a custom fit will work better. (Like I need another leather jacket...sigh)

 

[nick123]

I think I'll head to the City, stop by the Vanson event, have a nice lunch, and cap the day off with a visit to Johnson. That's the West Coast equivalent of spending the day in Scotland!

 

[schitzo]

.. meeting Kim Vanson would be worth the price of admission. I talked to her on the phone three or four years ago, and I would like to see if the rest of her is as nice as her voice.

My experience of voices like that suggests the rest of the package won't align. I could be wrong, but my suspicion is you're probably better off not finding out

 

[technovox]

I think I'll head to the City, stop by the Vanson event, have a nice lunch, and cap the day off with a visit to Johnson. That's the West Coast equivalent of spending the day in Scotland!

Thinking along similar lines -after my visit to the Vanson event, I was going to stop by Johnson Leathers too! (Hopefully Allen will be there.)
Who knows- maybe we'll cross paths. Tour de Leather!
Cheers

 

[nick123]

Thinking along similar lines -after my visit to the Vanson event, I was going to stop by Johnson Leathers too! (Hopefully Allen will be there.)
Who knows- maybe we'll cross paths. Tour de Leather!
Cheers

I'm not going. Just throwing out the idea to others in the area! Honestly, trips to leather jacket shops are about the coolest things on earth. Vanson, Aero, Johnson, Insurrection, etc. They're all probably wonderful and I'd base my vacations around them if traveling.
*Just be sure to stock up on quarters (for the parking meters) if you're headed to SF.

 

[felix03]

Thanks gents. Ended up going last night. The selection was a bit disappointing but I was able to try on the Vanson Chopper. What a jacket! Kim vanson was also incredibly nice and helpful, and very knowledgeable about the hides they use. I always thought vanson only used two leathers -- competition weight and mid weight (Firenze) -- but she explained to me there were various weights, tanning and finishing processes, etc. Almost bought the Chopper right then and there, but perhaps it's best to mull it over for a day or two …

 

[Bunyip]

My experience of voices like that suggests the rest of the package won't align. I could be wrong, but my suspicion is you're probably better off not finding out

Classic! I tend to agree!......beautiful....

 

[Bunyip]

Thanks gents. Ended up going last night. The selection was a bit disappointing but I was able to try on the Vanson Chopper. What a jacket! Kim vanson was also incredibly nice and helpful, and very knowledgeable about the hides they use. I always thought vanson only used two leathers -- competition weight and mid weight (Firenze) -- but she explained to me there were various weights, tanning and finishing processes, etc. Almost bought the Chopper right then and there, but perhaps it's best to mull it over for a day or two …

Did they have sales or anything? I've ordered a custom Chopper a few weeks ago, not sure how long I have to wait, but I'm very excited. It's hard here in Australia, we miss out on all these things....I've seen a chopper in real life, but have a fantastic chocolate brown CHP which I love.

 

[Peacoat]

Thanks gents. Kim vanson was also incredibly nice and helpful, and very knowledgeable about the hides they use.

So what does she look like?

 

[technovox]

I dropped by Scuderia and met Kim. She's extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and very sweet and charming. I asked her why Vanson didn't offer horsehide anymore, and she gave me a very lengthy and complicated explanation. And she also explained why they went to a different main zipper box (the bottom black one.) I won't go into any of this for fear of hijacking the thread. And she reassured me that all the jackets are still made in the US.
Finally, I ended up ordering a custom Vanson. (How could I not with Kim there to personally take all my measurements?) Here's a pic of her.
Happy Birthday Kim!

 

[HoosierDaddy]

She looks sweet..!!
HD

 

[felix03]

Bunyip, as far as I remember vanson only brought about 10 jackets or so to sell. Scuderia already had an inventory of about 30 jackets or so. For the chopper there was 1 sample in a medium in addition to the one medium they have for sale.

 

[Peacoat]

Techno: Thanks for the pic. That is a real coup. Yes, she does look sweet and younger than I imagined .

Did you tell her some guys--well one guy--wondered what she looked like?

 

[Meerkat]

Techno: Thanks for the pic. That is a real coup. Yes, she does look sweet and younger than I imagined .

Did you tell her some guys--well one guy--wondered what she looked like?

that would be her hubby then lol mr.vanson.....

 

[technovox]

Techno: Thanks for the pic. That is a real coup. Yes, she does look sweet and younger than I imagined .

Did you tell her some guys--well one guy--wondered what she looked like?

I asked her if it was okay to take her picture for the Fedora Lounge.
She was a bit reticent, but then she graciously said yes. (I only had my iPhone with me so I took a quick shot.) Between her birthday celebrations, a sizable stream of customers coming and going, and getting measured, it was quite a busy event.