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A visit to Wested Leather

Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 1:45 pm
by lovemyfedora
I am in London right now on a business trip. So today I scooted out of the office a bit early and took a series of trains out to Wested's shop. I had emailed Gemma to let her know I was coming and that I had a repair I was hoping they would be able to make on my custom Raiders jacket.

I have worn my jacket all over the world in the last 3 years. Literally. Amazon twice, all over South America, Egypt, Jordan, Europe, Asia, Southeast Asia, Russia, South Africa and Botswana. Saying that it has taken on some wear and tear would be an understatement. While it all looks great, my right hand pocket stitching was beginning to seperate. So, I was hoping I could have its maker make a quick repair for me. If anyone is intersted in the slightest of seeing photos of the jacket in these exotic locales, take a look at my fb album: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= ... 386&type=3

When I got to the wested shop, Gemma was there to greet me. She was very welcoming and attentive, even though she seemed extremely busy trying to get orders out the door before DHL showed up. They took my jacket, removed the liner around the pocket and restitched the pocket up. Then, of course, they re-attached the liner. Good as new! All of this in the space of about 20 min.

We chatted breifly about their role in making the original Raiders jacket and providing prototypes for ToD, Crusade and KOTCS, which lamb was used for the Raiders jacket (the soft lamb, as opposed to the new option of a heavier lamb). She also mentioned that they actually referred Steve Delk and helped them get the contract for providing the KOTCS hat. This suprised me. (Hope this doesnt spark some kind of contraversy)

Anyway, it was great visit and so sureal seeing racks and racks FULL of Indy jackets in all different leather types and sizes. One more thing that Gemma mentioned that suprised me: I asked her if it was possible to make my coat a bit longer. I sometimes wish I had half an inch more length on the coat. She said, "put it on". I did as instructed and she said, "Nope. That is where it is supposed to be". She stated that they are to land at the waist. So while a bit longer would still be nicer having her tell me that it is just right the way it is, makes me feel a lot better about it.

Here is a photo of my newly repaired jacket out front of the shop.
Image

If you every find yourself in London and want to visit the folks that made the magic, I definitely recommend stopping by. Not only do they make a great product, they are a great bunch of folks willing to entertain the yankee Indy freaks with some fun details and insight. Though I had hoped to meet Mr. Botwright (he wasnt in the shop this afternoon) Gemma was great and made me feel very welcome.

All and all a great experience. Thank you Gemma!

A very grateful Yankee Indy enthusiast.

Re: A visit to Wested Leather

Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 1:59 pm
by jnicktem
Cool story and awesome photos! You sure have been to some great places! I really like the shots of you in Egypt.

BTW- the part about how they referred Steve Delk- I believe it was actually Peter who referred Bernie to Marc Kitter, who then referred Steve since he is in the US. But it was Peter who informed Bernie about Adventurebilt.

Re: A visit to Wested Leather

Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 2:00 pm
by Oildale Jones
You're my new hero. :notworthy:

Perfect jacket that looks perfect on you. :clap:

Re: A visit to Wested Leather

Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 2:01 pm
by Michaelson
She also mentioned that they actually referred Steve Delk and helped them get the contract for providing the KOTCS hat. This suprised me. (Hope this doesnt spark some kind of contraversy)
Not at all. It's a well known fact, and one that Steve has posted himself on several occasions.... and no, it was Peter referring Steve, then Steve bringing Marc to the party as part of the AB team.

I don't think Peter even knew Marc, but he did Steve.

Steve made him a hat through a purchase by members of Indygear.com and COW.. :M: :tup:

Regards! Michaelson

Re: A visit to Wested Leather

Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 2:04 pm
by lovemyfedora
Phew!!! I was hoping I got that right! Thanks for clarifying...

I am heading to Prague tomorrow then Munich after that. So hopefully when I get back to Seattle next weekend I will have more photos of my jacket and Henry to share. :)

Thanks all!

Re: A visit to Wested Leather

Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 2:09 pm
by lovemyfedora
I saw an AB Deluxe in the Wested Shop. Sitting on a rack of whips for sale. I figured it belonged to Peter. Gemma politely mentioned it wasnt for sale. lol... But that must be the hat you are referring too!

Re: A visit to Wested Leather

Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 2:14 pm
by Michaelson
If it was a Deluxe, it wasn't the one 'we' bought from Steve. His was the standard AB beaver, unless he used an AB deluxe liner which he did on occasion for special orders.

Some folks got 'mixed' hats made from AB deluxe and standard materials (with their full knowledge, of course) so they could claim ownership of a CS hat made by BOTH hat makers of the film. Then again, maybe Marc made him one too.

Lots of backstory there...... ;)

Anyway, glad you got great service there!

Regards! Michaelson

Re: A visit to Wested Leather

Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 2:20 pm
by lovemyfedora
CORRECTION! No it was not a Deluxe. I specifically recall it saying AB Beaver! Sorry about that. So that must be THE hat. How cool! He has it on display right there in the shop. Cool thing is that it is accessible by customers where they can examine it. So it is some great advertising for AB.

Re: A visit to Wested Leather

Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 3:53 pm
by inexpensive_jones
Great photos! It's awesome to see all the gorgeous places you've been. BTW The young lady you're with looks a bit like Reese Witherspoon. Keep up the Adventures!

Re: A visit to Wested Leather

Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:33 pm
by Tibor
For a minute I thought I was finally going to see what Gemma looks like in this post. She's always been great to talk to.

Re: A visit to Wested Leather

Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 1:13 am
by lovemyfedora
The young lady in the photos is my fiance Melissa. She does look a bit like Reese Whitherspoon - she gets that a lot. lol. We are planning to go on safari in Kenya or Tanzania for our honeymoon this year so she just might be featured in some Indy Gear pics coming up soon. :)

As for photos of Gemma, I didnt even think about that... Sorry! I really should have gotten a photo with her. I am sure she wouldnt have minded. Darn - next time for sure...

Re: A visit to Wested Leather

Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 2:37 am
by APL
It's too cool that you got to go directly to the source like that. My mum lives in Sunderland, which while a hike from the Wested shop, is a whole lot closer than PA in the US. I've been thinking that when I go to see her next, I'll likely wander down towards London and stray off to the Wested shop. :D

Re: A visit to Wested Leather

Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 10:07 am
by Michaelson
lovemyfedora wrote:CORRECTION! No it was not a Deluxe. I specifically recall it saying AB Beaver! Sorry about that. So that must be THE hat. How cool! He has it on display right there in the shop. Cool thing is that it is accessible by customers where they can examine it. So it is some great advertising for AB.
Then it's more than likely the hat COW members bought for him, and Steve custom made. It's VERY nice to hear it's in a special place in the shop!!
:TOH:
HIGH regards! Michaelson

Re: A visit to Wested Leather

Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 1:50 pm
by IndyOriginal
That's one heck of an adventurous portfolio you've put together there....wow. Definitely envious mate. Hats off :TOH:

Re: A visit to Wested Leather

Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 2:59 pm
by lovemyfedora
Thanks IndyOriginal! It has been a fun 3 years putting it together. I just got to my hotel room in Prague, so tomorrow I am gonna take my Henry out into town and check out the castle. Should prove for some great photo ops!