Indy 4, predistressed hide & history

Rundquist · Post by **Rundquist** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 1:48 pm

So Indy 4 will mark the first time HF will be wearing a jacket made from predistressed hide on screen (unless one of the TOD Coopers was). My question is whether or not predistressed hide was generally available during the making of Raiders and if not, would it have been used if it had been. Today predistressed hide is everywhere. I know that the Indiana Jones films had a lot to do with its popularity. The “50 mission” look for military jackets (the A-2 & G-1) was also extremely popular during the 80’s & 90’s. What about the 70’s? I was alive, but too young to notice.

Now, there is predistessed hide, and predistressed hide. It really runs the gamut from looking really crummy and artificial, to looking pretty good. Even though I’ve heard complaints about the predistressed hide used for the CS jacket from people in this crowd (and there are always complaints from people in this crowd, about everything), the hide looks pretty good to me, at least from a “distressed hide” point of view. I would venture to say that even if you are not convinced of how the jacket will look from the still pictures so far (non film grabs), on celluloid, the jacket will look fine. You actually loose a lot of detail when you make the jump from real life to film stock. Sometimes details have to be over accentuated. I was originally shocked back in 1989 at the cover of the “Indiana Jones” issue of Premiere magazine. The LC jacket, which looked fine on the movie screen, at least from a “distressing” standpoint, looked horrible to me on that magazine cover. Did I mention the word “horrible”? I aint kidding. The stills of the CS jacket look pretty decent by comparison. Cheers

Post by **Michaelson** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 1:50 pm

The jackets in Raiders were hand distressed by Deborah, so I don't believe those were pre-distressed from the jacket makers.

Yep. We had pre-distressed jackets in the Disco '70's to wear over our polyester shirts and pants.

Regards! Michaelson

Rundquist · Post by **Rundquist** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 1:53 pm

Michaelson wrote:The jackets in Raiders were hand distressed by Deborah, so I don't believe those were pre-distressed from the jacket makers.

Yep. We had pre-distressed jackets in the Disco '70's to wear over our polyester shirts and pants.

Regards! Michaelson

There's no question that the Raiders jackets were new, non-predistressed hide. I wanted to know if predistressed hide was around back then and you answered my question. Thanks

Post by **Michaelson** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 1:55 pm

Ah, I understand.

I know we had it in Ohio, but I can't say for other locations.

Regards! Michaelson

Cowboy · Post by **Cowboy** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 2:36 pm

Michaelson wrote:Yep. We had pre-distressed jackets in the Disco '70's to wear over our polyester shirts and pants.

Regards! Michaelson

That sickens me

Post by **Michaelson** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 2:39 pm

Me too, at the time.

Regards! Michaelson

IndyWannaBee · Post by **IndyWannaBee** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 3:59 pm

Michaelson wrote:The jackets in Raiders were hand distressed by Deborah, so I don't believe those were pre-distressed from the jacket makers.

Yep. We had pre-distressed jackets in the Disco '70's to wear over our polyester shirts and pants.

Regards! Michaelson

I do believe those were called Members Only brand, sir!!!

Post by **Michaelson** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 4:04 pm

They sure were!

I may still have cloth version buried back in a closet somewhere....

Regard! Michaelson

IndyWannaBee · Post by **IndyWannaBee** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 4:21 pm

Oh my goodness! Boy do I feel old!

Post by **Michaelson** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 4:23 pm

You do? Heck, I remember Eisenhower when he was President. How do you think I feel?

Regards! Michaelson

IndyWannaBee · Post by **IndyWannaBee** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 4:28 pm

Eisenhower....who is that?

Well my momma always told me to respect me elders so I refer back to the previous post using the correct word, sir!

CM · Post by CM » Fri Mar 28, 2008 7:43 pm

Rundquist wrote: I was originally shocked back in 1989 at the cover of the “Indiana Jones” issue of Premiere magazine. The LC jacket, which looked fine on the movie screen, at least from a “distressing” standpoint, looked horrible to me on that magazine cover. Did I mention the word “horrible”? I aint kidding. The stills of the CS jacket look pretty decent by comparison. Cheers

My God!! I remember that. I still have that magazine. I remember thinking, what have they done to Indy's jacket!? It looks so stiff and artificial.

Cheers

IndyK · Post by **IndyK** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 4:00 am

I first began looking for distressed-hide leather jackets the day AFTER I had seen Raiders, but they were there. Here in DK they were called "stonewash" jackets because the hide had been treated with some kind of stone-powder. So we were told.
And I agree about the very different looks of predistressed hide. Some of them looked like painted plastic and others looked very "rough". None of them looked exactly raiders though, and I remember part of the problem being, that the color was much too light. Sort of light grey.
Another thing was the distressing being too even, so to speak. Since the hide had been distressed before the pieces were cut out, it had distressing in places that would never become distressed in real life, and that sort of ruined the realistic look.

Have I mentioned, that I received my novapella from Peter the other day? No? Well its the jacket I've been looking for since 1981! Its so fantastic that I dont have words for it. It's spot on for the new jacket, and I happen to like that look very much. Also the total look incl. the now darker shirt, the fedora etc.
It's Vintage-Indy all the way

Cheers
Indy-K

gmarthe · Post by **gmarthe** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 10:29 am

Post a picture Indy-K! I don't even see the novapelle on their site and everyone is talking about it.

Post by **Michaelson** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 11:00 am

IndyK, THAT was the term I was trying to remember...'STONEWASH"!! It was also the 'rage' in blue jeans at the time, and they were never called 'distressed'. THANK you!

Regards! Michaelson

gmarthe · Post by **gmarthe** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 11:12 am

Luckily they never tried to market them in "acid wash" like jeans in the 80's. That would have made for quite the distressed jacket!

Post by **Michaelson** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 11:15 am

I honestly recall (and some of the old timers please correct me if I'm wrong) that Peter used to tumble his first cowhide jacket hides in stone for the distressing look before he began outsourcing for pre-distressed leather.

Regards! Michaelson

IndyK · Post by **IndyK** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:17 pm

Michaelson wrote:IndyK, THAT was the term I was trying to remember...'STONEWASH"!! It was also the 'rage' in blue jeans at the time, and they were never called 'distressed'. THANK you!

Regards! Michaelson

You're welcome

)

gmarthe wrote:Post a picture Indy-K! I don't even see the novapelle on their site and everyone is talking about it.

Off course... I'm making some studio-photos for Peter very soon, but in the meantime, here's what I look like wearing it

Cheers
Indy-K

Post by **Holt** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:33 pm

wow K.that is one FINE looking CS jacket.

is it cut in the Raiders cut with snaps or is it the full CS cut?

I am gonna get a novapelle my self but cant decide if I am gonna have it in the raiders cut.the raiders jacket is one of my favorite jacket.

bests
Holt

lingarn · Post by **lingarn** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:45 pm

That jacket looks very, very good.

I'd be interested in hearing more about the specs.

IndyK · Post by **IndyK** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 1:42 pm

Indiana Holt wrote:wow K.that is one FINE looking CS jacket.

is it cut in the Raiders cut with snaps or is it the full CS cut?

I am gonna get a novapelle my self but cant decide if I am gonna have it in the raiders cut.the raiders jacket is one of my favorite jacket.

bests
Holt

It is NOT a Raiders cut, thats for sure

I've always liked the longer jackets more, and this one is the new style.
As for specs, I haven't really asked for any special things except extra inner pocket and cotton-lining as I prefer it. The length is similar to the ToD and LC jackets I guess (I didn't want the shorter Raiders version) but the cut, rings etc is Peters new "off the rack" novapella.

As for the novapella-hide I asked other members about it before ordering. I somehow got the impression that the novapella was only slightly thicker than lamb, and not even close to the durability we know from HH and cow. But that is NOT my impression now. The novapella is a thick, but yet soft, hide, and its a lot heavier than my lamb. One kilo to be more precise, but my weight is not precise enough to give the exact number of grams. When You touch the two jackets, lamb and novapella, next to each other, the novapella feels a lot thicker and more durable.

Cheers
Indy-K

bigrex · Post by **bigrex** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 1:58 pm

That novapelle looks like the best of both worlds. Nice CS cut as well, looking good.

whiskyman · Post by **whiskyman** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 2:02 pm

Ooh, just when i thought I knew which jacket to order...

Oh, by the way - that's one of the best Raiders looking hats I've seen in a looooong time!!!!

Kokopelli · Post by **Kokopelli** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 2:07 pm

IndyK wrote:
Indiana Holt wrote:
It is NOT a Raiders cut, thats for sure I've always liked the longer jackets more, and this one is the new style.
As for specs, I haven't really asked for any special things except extra inner pocket and cotton-lining as I prefer it. The length is similar to the ToD and LC jackets I guess (I didn't want the shorter Raiders version) but the cut, rings etc is Peters new "off the rack" novapella.
Indy-K

-to be precise, what you're saying is this is just a straight 'CS' version fit, not one of the other 3, and did you get it custom made, or just order your size?
It looks fantastic!

whiskyman · Post by **whiskyman** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 2:16 pm

How does the colour compare to authentic brown - about the same? darker?
What about the drape - it looks rather thick and stiff like cowhide - is that just because it's new?

whipwarrior · Post by **whipwarrior** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 2:22 pm

OMG that's a gorgeous jacket!!!

I WANT MINE NOW!!!

P.S.- Nice fedora, IndyK! What kind is it?

P.S.S.- Does the jacket have the authentic CS double-stitched shoulders?

eaglecrow · Post by **eaglecrow** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 3:20 pm

I have to agree this is a fine looking hide in those pictures. The collour underneath the surface is greyish I assume?

From what animal do they make this kind of leather, cow (like "nubuk" leather)?

Or is it probably a speccial strange looking jacket-hide animal

The Novapelle in it's natural habit (wested's backyard)

whipwarrior · Post by **whipwarrior** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 5:03 pm

That's scary.

IndyK · Post by **IndyK** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 5:56 pm

whiskyman wrote:Ooh, just when i thought I knew which jacket to order...

Oh, by the way - that's one of the best Raiders looking hats I've seen in a looooong time!!!!

I'm so glad You noticed the hat!!!!

It has it's own history: It's one of Steve's rabbit fedora's, but I have never been good at bashing hats. So when it lost Steve's original touch I had to do something about it. Marc then offered to rebash it, and when I told him that my favourite bash had always been the "streets of Cairo" he promised to make it just that. And boy, did he do that?!!

I received the hat not only bashed, but also treated with fullers earth and Marc's personal styling. It arrived like a trip in the Delorian - back to the streets of Cairo.
I'm not sure the shape of my head will ever do this AB co-operation justice, but it sure is the best fedora I've had - so far... (there's a new one coming up, hopefully before the premiere........)

And now back to the jacket....

citRon wrote:-to be precise, what you're saying is this is just a straight 'CS' version fit, not one of the other 3, and did you get it custom made, or just order your size?
It looks fantastic!

You're absolutely right

It's CS.... I'm so lucky that I can order my regular size 42, and then everything just fits for me. Only customs are the extra innerpocket and the cottonlining.

Cheers
Indy-K

IndyK · Post by **IndyK** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 6:10 pm

whiskyman wrote:How does the colour compare to authentic brown - about the same? darker?
What about the drape - it looks rather thick and stiff like cowhide - is that just because it's new?

The color of the novapella is lighter than the authentic brown lamb I also have. And BreinederIndy is probably right about the color. It has a certain warm/greyish look to it - exactly like the first photo we saw of Harrison with gun in hand from CS. And it looks so right out of the back - no need for distressing.

The drape is "stiffer" than the lamb off course. It's perfect for me though, and since my first Wested ever was the regular cowhide I can say for sure, that the novapella is not as stiff as that. I also guess it will soften up a bit with time.

From my personal point of view this jacket completes the journey, so far, since the authentic brown lamb is the way to go with Raiders SA, and the novapella is the CS SA. And whats more important IMHO: The novapella is the jacket I've also wanted that both feels and looks totally Indy

Cheers
Indy-K

BoilermakerJones · Post by **BoilermakerJones** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 6:22 pm

Great jacket, Indy-K. It looks like the pictures you have are ready to post on the Wested site. They should have orders pouring in!

Matt

whiskyman · Post by **whiskyman** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 6:22 pm

Lighter than authentic brown? Ah, I gues that rules this one out for me then. Shame, I like the grain and the level of distressing.

IndyK · Post by **IndyK** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 6:32 pm

BoilermakerJones wrote:Great jacket, Indy-K. It looks like the pictures you have are ready to post on the Wested site. They should have orders pouring in!

Matt

Thanks

But I dont wanna scare people away with my "Trust me" smile, so I'm gonna do some studioshots like the other ones we did for Westeds site

whiskyman wrote:Lighter than authentic brown? Ah, I gues that rules this one out for me then. Shame, I like the grain and the level of distressing.

I guess You really didn't like the LC jacket neither then...?

whiskyman, to be totally honest, I hadn't really thought about it untill You asked, and now that I compare them they are exactly alike! Surprised me too... But I remember my lamb as being darker when I received it. Since then it has been distressed heavily to give it the mat Raiders look, and at this moment I'm looking at two jackets with almost identical colors. Tomorrow I'll make a comparising shot in daylight. Photos are better than words

Cheers
Indy-K

whiskyman · Post by **whiskyman** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 6:40 pm

Comparison shots in the same lighting would be very helpful indeed. I fear though that this hide won't be an option for me. I had an authentic brown lamb and never really liked the colour. Then I had a dark brown goat which I loved. Since then, I'm pretty much hooked on the darker brown as this is how I perceive the raiders jacket.

Cowboy · Post by **Cowboy** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 11:37 pm

I am a cow hide fan, but in all honesty, (Maybe it is the lighting in the pics) I don't care for the looks of it at all. The jacket styles looks good however and the hat awesome.

Cowboy · Post by **Cowboy** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 11:38 pm

The Novapelle in it's natural habit (wested's backyard)

Where did you get the pics of bink from?

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 9:45 am

I think it benefits from a coat of pecard too. (+ a few months wear)

coronado3 · Post by **coronado3** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 1:04 pm

It seems that the side straps on Wested's CS jacket are closer to the bottom?!?!?! How far from the bottom is it? It seems to be about the same as the way US Wings spaces theirs.

Look at the shape of KT's pocket flaps... They have a lovely flowing shape. Peter - make them all exactly like those!

Both of these CS jackets look great. I really like the pecards treatment on the Novapelle hide.

C3

whipwarrior · Post by **whipwarrior** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 2:36 pm

Wested has updated their website to include the Indy 4 connection. The main page states:

During the production of the three Indy films, we manufactured a total of 48 jackets in three design styles. These Jackets were worn by various members of the cast, including Mr. Ford, his stand-in's, and stuntmen. We also provided 'Control Samples' for the new films 'Crystal Skulls' jacket made locally in LA. based on the Last Crusade pattern.

And on the sizing page, it says:

The jacket is available in the following: Authentic brown lambskin, dark brown lambskin; dark brown Goatskin, pre-distressed brown cowhide. dark brown Horsehide and 'Novapelle' an antique brown horsehide.

Since novapelle is supposed to be cowhide, is that a typo?

IndyK · Post by **IndyK** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 3:32 pm

As promised - some comparising photos of my distressed lamb (left) and the new novapella (right).

Cheers
Indy-K

Kokopelli · Post by **Kokopelli** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 3:35 pm

Indy-K, could you measure the pockets on both of those? Lamb has wider pockets, doesn't it?

IndyK · Post by **IndyK** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 3:41 pm

citRon wrote:Indy-K, could you measure the pockets on both of those? Lamb has wider pockets, doesn't it?

Novapella: 14,8 x 20,5 centimeters.
Lamb: 17,3 x 21,3 centimeters.

Cheers
Indy-K

Kokopelli · Post by **Kokopelli** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 3:56 pm

thanks! Are those just the 'standard' pockets or did you specify measurements?

IndyK · Post by **IndyK** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 4:06 pm

citRon wrote:thanks! Are those just the 'standard' pockets or did you specify measurements?

No, I didn't ask for any special meassurements. Just a long jacket made of novapella

Cheers
Indy-K

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 4:10 pm

IndyK wrote:
citRon wrote:thanks! Are those just the 'standard' pockets or did you specify measurements?
No, I didn't ask for any special meassurements. Just a long jacket made of novapella

Cheers
Indy-K

And it's looking GREAT! You enjoy it more and more as you wear it more. It really is a great middle ground beween weight and thickness and that surface is so nice.

whiskyman · Post by **whiskyman** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 4:21 pm

It does look good but it looks too thick fora raiders jacket. Is it really not a heavy thick jacket?

Kokopelli · Post by **Kokopelli** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:46 pm

someone mentioned this before, I think..the side straps are about 1 inch lower on the new cut. I think I like them higher up.
Indy-K, mind getting the ruler out again and measuring up from the bottom where the straps are on both?

IndyK · Post by **IndyK** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 1:42 pm

citRon wrote:someone mentioned this before, I think..the side straps are about 1 inch lower on the new cut. I think I like them higher up.
Indy-K, mind getting the ruler out again and measuring up from the bottom where the straps are on both?

Bottom to strap = 12,5 centimeters on the lamb and 8 cm on the novapella.

Personly I'm not really interested in these details as for SA (sorry guys...). I just like the overall look and style of the jackets and having admitted to myself a long time ago that Harrison probably was a better choice for the part than me, and that my body and face will NEVER EVER become SA, I've decided to think more about how my jackets look on me than on screen

Thats why I like the new look. The length suits me better and the hide looks terrific. My lamb is still the cornerstone in my Raiders outfit, but it's still a movie-jacket IMHO. It's great looking on screen and photos, but for everyday wear and look, I choose CS style.

Cheers
Indy-K

Rundquist · Post by **Rundquist** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 2:05 pm

whipwarrior wrote:Wested has updated their website to include the Indy 4 connection. The main page states:
During the production of the three Indy films, we manufactured a total of 48 jackets in three design styles. These Jackets were worn by various members of the cast, including Mr. Ford, his stand-in's, and stuntmen. We also provided 'Control Samples' for the new films 'Crystal Skulls' jacket made locally in LA. based on the Last Crusade pattern.

Since novapelle is supposed to be cowhide, is that a typo?

I would say the CS jacket was based on the Last Crusade pattern by way of the Lee Keppler fan jacket.

That new jacket write up will be interesting to say the least.

PS- That Novapelle hide looks like a great predistressed hide.

Indy 4, predistressed hide & history

Indy 4, predistressed hide & history

Re: Indy 4, predistressed hide & history

Re: Indy 4, predistressed hide & history