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NEW BLACK VICENZA SHEENE AND MORE

Fanch

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,490
Location
Texas
We just returned from a 14-day Scotland/Ireland/England HA cruise, and while we were in port in Invergordon, near Inverness, I had the privilege of having this latest Aero jacket brought to me just walking distance from the ship by Ken Calder and his lovely wife, Lydia. Several weeks ago I had ordered another Sheene, this one in black Vicenza horsehide. I had a previous recollection that Ken lived near Inverness; so when I placed my order with Holly, I asked her if it would be feasible for her dad to bring it to me while we were in port. Several days later, Ken emailed me and said that he would be delighted to do so.

Not only did Ken and Lydia make the drive to Invergordon, but they also took me to lunch at a fantastic restaurant not too far away. Furthermore, Ken would not even allow me to buy lunch for all of us and insisted that it was their treat!

One of the things I noticed was that Ken was wearing a fantastic looking brown 1950’s half belt jacket that he said he likely made himself 16-17 years ago. Ken also told me that it was one of the stolen jackets found that was recovered from the large batch that will be offered next month at the Aero Grand Theft Sale! More on Ken’s jacket later.

My black Vicenza horsehide Sheene has essentially the same dimensions as the russet Vicenza Sheene that was shipped to my hotel room while I was in London a year ago. However, my new black Vicenza Sheene has shoulder gussets and no zippers for the hand warmer pockets. Can’t have excessive duplication, can we? ;) Both of my Sheenes are size 42 with 2" added to the circumference of the waist.

2016-07-09 14.27.32.jpg 2016-07-09 14.27.55.jpg 2016-07-09 14.28.39.jpg 2016-07-09 14.26.24.jpg

Now on to Ken's fantastic looking 1950's half belt jacket:

2016-07-09 14.30.26.jpg 2016-07-09 14.30.21.jpg

One of the things I noticed that is not fully appreciated in the pictures is how well Ken's jacket fit him, and how good it looked. When I verbalized this to ken, he said part of the paradigm of a good fit for a half belt jacket is to cinch in the side straps for the "hour glass" effect.

The manner in which my Sheene was brought to me will make this jacket special like none other and want to thank Ken and Lydia in this public forum for their kindness and hospitality shown to me. Also, thanks to Holly, Julie, and the rest of the Aero staff for helping to make this happen! :cool:
 
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AeroFan_07

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Messages
5,314
Location
Iowa
Fantastic write up Fanch! Really quite the treat to meet Ken and Lydia in person and have a new jacket hand-delivered. Really nice fit on your jacket as well there. That Sheen is very sharp in it's style. I also really appreciate Ken's 50's HB. Wish I could make the sale there next month. Hope all the rest of the trip was as much fun as meeting Ken and recieving your new jacket. Thanks for the write up and photos, enjoy the break-in!
 

RJR

Messages
10,620
Location
Iowa
We just returned from a 14-day Scotland/Ireland/England HA cruise, and while we were in port in Invergordon, near Inverness, I had the privilege of having this latest Aero jacket brought to me just walking distance from the ship by Ken Calder and his lovely wife, Lydia. Several weeks ago I had ordered another Sheene, this one in black Vicenza horsehide. I had a previous recollection that Ken lived near Inverness; so when I placed my order with Holly, I asked her if it would be feasible for her dad to bring it to me while we were in port. Several days later, Ken emailed me and said that he would be delighted to do so.

Not only did Ken and Lydia make the drive to Invergordon, but they also took me to lunch at a fantastic restaurant not too far away. Furthermore, Ken would not even allow me to buy lunch for all of us and insisted that it was their treat!

One of the things I noticed was that Ken was wearing a fantastic looking brown 1950’s half belt jacket that he said he likely made himself 16-17 years ago. Ken also told me that it was one of the stolen jackets found that was recovered from the large batch that will be offered next month at the Aero Grand Theft Sale! More on Ken’s jacket later.

My black Vicenza horsehide Sheene has essentially the same dimensions as the russet Vicenza Sheene that was shipped to my hotel room while I was in London a year ago. However, my new black Vicenza Sheene has shoulder gussets and no zippers for the hand warmer pockets. Can’t have excessive duplication, can we? ;) Both of my Sheenes are size 42 with 2" added to the circumference of the waist.

View attachment 53673 View attachment 53674 View attachment 53675 View attachment 53676

Now onto Ken's fantastic looking 1950's half belt jacket:

View attachment 53677 View attachment 53678

One of the things I noticed that is not fully appreciated in the pictures is how well Ken's jacket fit him, and how good it looked. When I verbalized this to ken, he said part of the paradigm of a good fit for a half belt jacket is to cinch in the side straps for the "hour glass" effect.

The manner in which my Sheene was brought to me will make this jacket special like none other and want to thank Ken and Lydia in this public forum for their kindness and hospitality shown to me. Also, thanks to Holly, Julie, and the rest of the Aero staff for helping to make this happen! :cool:
Congrats,very nice jacket.
 

Fanch

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,490
Location
Texas
While in that part of the world, I developed a whole new appreciation for the term "summer jacket" as the temps were generally 30-40 degrees cooler than N Texas this time of year, particularly in N Scotland, and I was able to wear the Sheene while out and about. However, the new Sheene is now in the closet with the rest of my jackets and will not be worn outside until October. :p
 

Sloan1874

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,418
Location
Glasgow
It must have felt even colder for you, Richard. I've experienced the reverse: during a visit to Egypt during February, I was wandering around in a t-shirt and jeans, while the locals were all wearing jackets and, in some cases, scarves!
Fantastic addition to the collection, though - I love the chain puller detail on the breast pocket.
 

Fanch

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,490
Location
Texas
It must have felt even colder for you, Richard. I've experienced the reverse: during a visit to Egypt during February, I was wandering around in a t-shirt and jeans, while the locals were all wearing jackets and, in some cases, scarves!
Fantastic addition to the collection, though - I love the chain puller detail on the breast pocket.
Thanks Craig. The new black Vicenza Sheene has a breast pocket with a looped pocket zip, whereas my russet Vicenza Sheene from a year ago has a diamond Talon puller. Another difference between the two Sheenes to minimize duplication. :D
 
Messages
10,181
Location
Pasadena, CA
Great story @Fanch !
What a treat to get to go there, meet Ken and his wife, and get your jacket too!
You'll never be able to do anything with that jacket but pass it on ou be buried in it :)
Close to my visit but oh so much better. What a swell guy that Ken - and lovely of his wife to come along too.
Wear it in good health.
 

wdw

One Too Many
Messages
1,260
Location
Edinburgh
Great looking jacket and great fit, @Fanch. And what a fantastic story behind the delivery, one that makes it so much more than just a jacket, even an Aero.:)
 

willyto

One Too Many
Messages
1,616
Location
Barcelona
Fantastic jacket and better experience with Ken and Lydia. It's quite amazing to see how Ken would do anything for his customers, this really show that he doen't care only about making leather jackets but about his customers.

This proves that Aero is more than leather jackets, they take care of their customers as I'd have never imagined.
 

Fanch

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,490
Location
Texas
Fantastic jacket and better experience with Ken and Lydia. It's quite amazing to see how Ken would do anything for his customers, this really show that he doen't care only about making leather jackets but about his customers.

This proves that Aero is more than leather jackets, they take care of their customers as I'd have never imagined.
+1 Ken and Lydia are definitely very special people, and both made me feel special as well. I felt more like an old friend than a customer. An incredible experience meeting the creative genius responsible for Aero. An occasion I'll never forget!
 

tropicalbob

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,954
Location
miami, fl
+1 Ken and Lydia are definitely very special people, and both made me feel special as well. I felt more like an old friend than a customer. An incredible experience meeting the creative genius responsible for Aero. An occasion I'll never forget!
Man, talk about "customer service!"
 

Witchtrip

One of the Regulars
Messages
118
Location
NJ
What a fantastic story! I can only imagine how thrilled you are to have such a beautiful jacket delivered in such a memorable way. Congratulations all the way around - now that's a family heirloom jacket! Cheers

Great hat, by the way!
 
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Fanch

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,490
Location
Texas
What a fantastic story! I can only imagine how thrilled you are to have such a beautiful jacket delivered in such a memorable way. Congratulations all the way around - now that's a family heirloom jacket! Cheers

Great hat, by the way!
Thanks, the hat is just a Tilley T3 made with cotton duck.
 

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