Well, I'm happy to report that I'm the proud new owner of a RotLA Jacket made by the good folks at Tony Nowak Originals - and under the leadership of Riley Barrie - who are all doing such a wonderful job of carrying on Tony's work of making excellent jackets!
Before Tony's passing (and SINCE Riley began making good on the jacket orders that were already begun prior to Tony's death) I know that many of you have had stories that you've shared about your own unique experience with dealing originally with Tony... and now with Riley...
Well, my jacket order has it's own little story as well... (some of it I've made previous reference to in some other threads, so I apologize if I'm repeating myself to some of you)...
I began the long process of slowly saving up my money for a Tony Nowak jacket in the beginning of October of last year... I'd seen some really, REALLY amazing jackets coming from Tony's hands and knew I had to have one... But the long, slow process of scrimping & saving the money and researching my choice of leather & other particulars was just beginning. Along the way, Threads like Tundrarider's "YOU NAILED IT, TONY!!!" Thread kept me feeling High Anticipation:
I was not only drooling over the photos Michael had posted, but also really enjoyed the way he'd relayed his own unique story of dealing and speaking directly with Tony.
Finally, during the first part of February I spoke briefly on the phone with the Big Man himself, discussing with him a little bit about the kind of jacket I was looking to order as well as asking him to send along some leather swatches to help me with my decision... over the next few weeks we spoke a few times, each conversation a really comfortable and enjoyable chat.
Later (part of the way though March) I sent along an e-mail that included my measurements, my choice of leather and a number of photos of myself wearing another jacket for reference. When I did that, I asked that Tony give me a call so that we could discuss any final issues that needed to be worked out... I was going to be leaving for 10 days vacation with my family on the morning of April 10th and because Tony would be traveling during the Easter Weekend, our last conversation ended with the idea that hopefully he would be calling me "on the 9th" so that we could talk before I left.
On the morning of the 9th I did my best to not stare impatiently at the phone while waiting for Tony to call... I was so excited thinking that once Tony and I ironed out the last few details, it would just be a matter of being in the queue until Tony got around to my jacket...
It got to be about noon on that Friday and I popped into C.O.W. to see what was new and was, of course, met with the worst news possible...
The loss of "Big Tony" Nowak.
The suddenness on Tony's death really did a number on me (as I know it did on so many of us here as well) ...I was in a completely numb and utterly saddened state that day and on the next day as I left for vacation, I was still in a daze about it...
It was so unreal... It seemed so impossible...
The flights gave me a lot of time to think about the man and mourn him (at one point, hours into one of our flights, my son noticed me once again lost in thought and patted my shoulder, saying "I'm really sorry about your friend dying, Dad")...
Naturally, when the plane reached it's destination the fun & frivolity of our vacation plans did a good job of offering me ample distraction from dwelling on these matters for too long... but once I was back home I did a little bit of reading-of-COW-posts-&-threads and quickly found myself re-discovering my somber mood.
In mourning the man during the weeks that followed, I'd often think how clear and reassuring it is that his legacy - and reputation - would live on not only in the form of those beautiful jackets, but in the many, many stories and memories shared by those who knew him - or even simply met him or spoke with him - for a brief time.
As those weeks had worn on, of course, every so often someone would wonder aloud if there would be anyone from Tony's team who would be "picking up the reigns" and carrying on Tony's work of making such excellent jackets (this was, understandably, a tricky thing for anyone to ask about because such questions can easily be misconstrued as a question of "will I ever get my jacket?"... even when someone is simply asking for far less selfish reasons...)
At the time, I hadn't given much thought as to whether there would be someone else from Tony's "workshop" to pick up where Tony left off and carry on with his unfinished work...
As far as my own jacket was concerned, I simply assumed that owning a Tony Nowak Jacket was simply not meant to be for me.
So, a week into May, when I learned of Han Jones "TONY NOWAK FOREVER (New Jacket)" Thread I was not only pleasantly surprised at the idea that Tony's client's would be receiving their treasures... but also curious - and cautious - as to how to proceed.
Yet, regardless of my own trepidation, the news that very capable, very gifted hands would be carrying on with Tony's business was wonderful to hear.
After a few days I wrote to Riley, telling him right from the start how sorry I was for his and his family's loss and expressing my condolences...
I also told him a little of my own story and experience of speaking and dealing with Tony and how I was expecting him to call me on the 9th, before learning of what had happened.
Lastly, I mentioned the news that Han Jones was passing along...
I told him that when I read the news that he'd be carry on with the business Tony started, I couldn't help but become curious as to where this put me ...where I might fit in.
I told him I didn't want nor intend to be adding any pressure to what I imagined was an already "full" plate for him... but that whenever he was ready and able, to please let me know how he wanted me to proceed...
I sent that e-mail on May 12th...
The very next day, Riley contacted me saying that he'd appreciate me re-sending some of the photos I originally sent to Tony that I'd made reference to in one of my e-mails... soon, we were on the phone and had a really great conversation about Tony, some of Riley's own current goings-on with his family and eventually spoke about some of the specifics of my jacket... I was surprised when I realized just how soon Riley and his team were prepared to go to work on my jacket... surprised, but elated.
One moment that I (perhaps foolishly) hadn't anticipated but that really stands out for me was when I mentioned to Riley how I'd now want to have the words "In Loving Memory of Tony Nowak" stitched on the lining inside the jacket where it would rest against my back... Riley took a long pause before he said "That's a really nice... thing to say"
We continued to have a friendly conversation afterwards, so I hope that means he meant what he said and I in no way upset him too much in hearing that (my greatest regret would be if such a sentiment from - effectively - a total stranger had offended him in some way)... I sincerely hope it didn't... and the conversations we had over the next week or so leads me to believe he thought I was an okay guy.
My jacket arrived on May 31st... and despite what you may believe about me, I was speechless.
(Hard to believe, I know)
The next day I wrote to Riley:
The jacket arrived yesterday...
And, of course, it's PERFECT.
I can't tell you how much I love it.
Gorgeous, gorgeous jacket.
MANY thanks to you and your team... you guys are Artists!
I didn't get home until late last night but it was here waiting for me... what a great surprise.
Thank you again, Riley... I could NOT be more impressed by this jacket and I'm proud to wear it.
Fox
If I could say one thing to Tony right now, I'd start by repeating myself and saying:
I miss ya, Tony...
It was really nice talking to you those few times... I wish it had been more.
But at least now I can add:
Tony,
Riley and Co. are really doing you PROUD.
What follows below are some of the first photos I had taken of the jacket ... various type of lighting, angles and styles of dressing to show some variety.
Vanity demands that I tell you I'm not quite as grey (YET) as some of the weird, glaring lighting on some the outdoor shots would suggest.
Shortly, I'm going to remove all of my original photos and Links from the "Full Gear Shots - Post (and Identify) - Your Stuff" Thread that I started in the Scrapbook Section in order to be able to post 6 photos and 6 Links of some updated Full Gear shots that now include my Raiders in 747 Cowhide.
Hope you get a chance to check those out, too!
All the Best,
Mitch
Link showing same setting, different angle:
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... C06946.jpg
Zipped up a little:
Unzipped again... This one was taken indoors:
Outdoors again, this time with a little bit of sunshine and a fedora:
Link to a similar shot:
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... C07385.jpg
Link to a shot of the back of the jacket:
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... C07448.jpg
A Link showing various details of the INSIDE of the jacket:
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... C06846.jpg
And lastly:
One final comment:
I was originally going to title this Thread "TONY NOWAK Raiders 747 by Riley Barrie"... but decided instead to give it the more broad title "TONY NOWAK Jacket by Riley Barrie" since I know there'll be plenty more of those to come...
Please consider this my sincere offer to add your own Tony Nowak (by Riley Barrie) jacket to this Thread if you'd like...
It's an Open Invitation (if the Mods are okay with it)
If they ARE, I'd be more than happy to retitle this Thread "Post Your TONY NOWAK Jacket (by Riley Barrie) Pictures HERE"
.
... 
Gotta say, though: I'm more than happy to wear the mantle for inspiring you (and given that YOUR #50 TN Jacket style AND leather are EXACTLY what 
(for the record, I think it was one of 
Yo can trust me. 
I think that the writing on the inside is a lovely gesture, and I'm sure that Tony would be very proud. 
