What do you do for Living?

^ Great story Craig.

Fairly new here, but have been lurking for awhile. Great community. Never thought I could read and research zippers

Dad was a Navy pilot in WW2 and Korea. He gifted me this G1, my first real leather. I out grew it in college and have never seen it again. Currently have a Aero Teamster in black goat, Aero LHB in brown FQHH, Aero HWM in black FQHH, Gibson Barnes Adventurer in goat, and a AL Drifter in black goat.

I am a patent attorney and 47 years old. Like to ride a Yamaha FJR, on my 8th vintage of home wine making with some buddies, and cycle. Married to an understanding woman for 15 years. She keeps trying to figure out how many jackets I have with leading questions… So that is the black one with buttons??

pawineguy said:

So many retired guys in the group, I envy you all, and am glad you can now enjoy the fruits of your hard work. For any of you that want to possibly fill a few hours of your week, there are a couple of part time listings that I am aware of related to our passion:

1. Customer Relations / Publicist: Come join our exciting team as we conquer the world! We are a small company based in Greece, but currently produce the world's finest reproduction jackets from the world's finest leathers, incorporating the world's best patterns and the world's greatest attention to detail. The job entails patrolling the internet to ensure no one questions the previous statement, belittling those who do, and pointing out the laziness and ineptitude of our "competitors." A big plus to anyone who has experience at either the DMV or at the IRS.

2. Broker / Buyer - While currently a one man operation, I am seeking to expand my jacket brokering empire and am looking for a few slippery characters who share my passion for discounts and size 48, 50 and 52 jackets. Please leave your ethics at the door, this is not a business for the faint of heart. If you've ever talked a kid into a 2 for 1 deal at his lemonade stand, this might be the job for you! Must not be allergic to Yak hair. Send your resume to fortypercentoffminimum@size50.com

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PG, you are on his Ignore List. He will never see your masterpiece. PC

Peacoat said:

PG, you are on his Ignore List. He will never see your masterpiece. PC

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PC he seems to enjoy only responding to himself and imaginary emails and PMs. Never seen anything like it on any forum I have frequented. Can't help but lol

I've been working with technology and computers in one form or another since the mid-1980's. About three months ago I retired after 33 years with the same employer. My retirement lasted exactly one weekend. After retiring on a Friday I started the following Monday as the IT Manager for the small city that I live in. It's a great job so far. Smaller environment, less stress, great people to work with.

Consultant, manufacturing and distribution

I can fix LAWLESS DENIM if top mgmt gets out of the way

Magic! Well done boys!
I started reading all the responses and felt like I was in group therapy fight club style!
I stumbled across this site 2 and a bit years ago. At one stage the aussie dollar hit parity with usd. I was importing harley gear, jackets, shirts, pipes etc. I met a bloke on ebay that was a garbage collector in Texas. Harley won't sell overseas to protect their franchises. We pay $50Aud for a ****ty t shirt that sells stateside for $20 max.
Anyway I wanted a perfecto/ Brando style jacket without skulls and flames etc. I discovered Schott. $650 and I thought it was the cats meow. Very expensive but cool. How wrong I was, the i found this place, several pairs of wesco and whites later, life was easier back then.....but what would I know? I send $1000 jackets. To America in cut up plastic bags without the belt....aren't I an asshole!

Hi there. My name is Søren - with that strange danish letter Ø. (Is that an O that doesn't count or what - I've heard some say.)
After several educations - such as window-dresser, working in a bookshop and radio operator in the army I went into Art School in 1968. My plan was to work with advertising. Not a good time to do that though. We were all hippies and advertising was the worst! The prolonged arm of capitalism!!! A famous french adman once said: "Please do not tell my mother, I work in advertising. She thinks I play the piano on a brothel in Rio." But anyway - I got my degree - and I got my first job at an advertising agency as an Art Director Assistant.
That was back in 1972. And I have been working in advertising ever since. And I love it!
I went from art direction to copywriting and later on I also directed the TV advertisements I wrote. I have been a creative director on several national and international agencies. I have had my own agency - not only once but twice. And I have been working freelance for several years as well. Enjoying the freedom that gave me. And the possibility to say NO. (Thanks)
And - I know it's important to some - I've won a fair share of national and international awards for my work. Not that it matters, but it's always nice that ones work is appreciated by colleagues.
Although I am turning 70 in december I have no wish or plans to stop working. Why should I?
I am fortunate that I have been teaching advertising skills at university for the last 7 years - besides writing books and working for clients and causes I believe in and enjoy working for. Teaching young people about concept development and ideas keeps me fit and sharp. (So my wife says)

I have been married twice - the first time was a mistake and the second time was the best thing, that could happen to me.
We have a son - 26 years old - working with branding in London. (the apple and the tree)

Letherjacket you might ask?
Since my childhood (in the 50's) I have always been brought up with the history that UK and especially the RAF helped Denmark and the danish resistance through WWII. My father - who was in the resistance - told me about the dropping of weapons, agents and explosives done by the RAF. He told me about the bombing of the Gestapo HQ in Copenhagen. Also done by the RAF. So I have always had that interest in flying and RAF.
So naturally I got my first "Irvin" way back in the mid '70s . Bought it from Simon Green at Aviation Leathercraft. And even worked together with him as an agent for a while - selling 'bout 50 of their jackets here in Denmark.
From that day on I have always owned at least one Irvin jacket. But the more I read and the more I knew about the originals - the harder I tried to find the best repro. (Realizing that my hight and size would never. ever fit into an original) So I have been on this quest for the holy grail of Irvin Repros for a long time. WPG, AERO, ALCs...you name 'em, I've had them. I've reached it now - being the proud and very happy owner of one of Jon Wainwrights very first Aces High Irvins. A lovely pre-war type.
That's about it.
Great thread by the way!

Soren... Surely you're not done with Irvins yet, though? I mean, you really should try one of the Aero CCs..... (The Aeros are beautiful since they gotg the arm shape right, imo!)

Didn't realise you had a son in London - is he in the 'jacket club' as well?

GHT, it's a pun: Geri-a-tric, only I'm rather fond of the fedora, so geriatric became geri-hat-tric, but you can call me Robert. Started my working life here in London with a trading stamp company, name of Green Shield, I worked in sales, where my talents in talking, reading, dozing off during important meetings, tardiness, and entertaining fellow employees, could be put to good use.

The Middle East war back in the 70's quadrupled the price of fuel at the pump, trading stamps took a dive, Green Shield morphed into Argos. The company offered me the role of distribution manager. It really means, dirty warehouses, forklift trucks, delivery vans, big trucks, heavily male orientated workforce, hairy arse drivers and the ability to cuss and swear with the best of them. I have done similar work with a couple of other conglomerates.

At the age of 52, out of work due to being on the losing side of a takeover, and before an interview board, a question was put to me: "Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?"

"Drinking alone in a bar, supporting five ex-wives, wearing shorts to work, and considering belly dancing as a form of stress release, was probably not a wise answer."

I started my own distribution business, my brother joined me and we never looked back.

My wife and I met when she was sixteen and I was twenty. We became dance partners, as in Latin & Ballroom. Competitive dancing took us all over the country and a lot of Europe too, it was seriously expensive to book single hotel rooms each, so I asked her father if we could save on costs by sharing a room. That brought Krakatoa, force ten, down on my head. "You want to share a room with my daughter? You marry her!" So I did. And, if the grim reaper leaves us alone, in three years from now, we will have been married for 50 years.

There's only two leathers in my wardrobe, an original A2 and a modern Zahra. Made to measure suits, shoes and shirts are more my scene. Oh, and of course my wonderful collection of thirty or more, hand made, by my clever lady, tropical shirts. I haven't got a single pair of jeans, or trainers. We do have an old MG though, designed in the late 30's, built in the early 50's. going out in that, you have to dress the part.

Four years past my shelf life (retirement) date, I was forced to give up work due to the need of a new hip. Can't say that retirement comes easy, I miss the stress of trying to keep all the balls in the air,:juggle: seriously. But retirement it is so I shall have to get on with it.

Good idea.

My name is also Ben. I turn 29 this Friday, the 17th. But I look about 22. I have always worked in restaurants and pubs since I was 14, cleaning cooking, serving, but being a waiter pushing late 20's in a burger place in the UK called Byron, it becomes hard to bend over backwards for people who have absolutely no respect for you. Be it employer or customer.

I trained as an actor at one of the top drama schools in the UK, but that didn't help me. I work ever so often in theatre or film, but not enough to make a living from it, which is a pity as that is my true passion (leather jackets and vintage gear is a nice distraction from the reality of the 'profession' I chose) but it is incredibly difficult.

I drastically cut down my hours at the restaurant I was practically assistant managing to work in a shop called American Classics in London. And it's a lot better than serving burgers to ingrates.

Yesterday I bought myself a Banjo.

Edit nice idea as well. My instergram is... CHAMBOID.

chamboid said:

Good idea.

My name is also Ben. I turn 29 this Friday, the 17th. But I look about 22. I have always worked in restaurants and pubs since I was 14, cleaning cooking, serving but being a waiter pushing late 20's in a burger place in the UK called Byron, it becomes hard to bend over backwards for people who have absolutely no respect for you. Be it employer or customer.

I trained as an actor at one of the top drama schools in the UK, but that didn't help me. I work ever so often in theatre or film, but not enough to make a living from it, which is a pity as that is my true passion (leather jackets and vintage gear is a nice distraction from the reality of the 'profession' I chose) but it is incredibly difficult.

I drastically cut down my hours as the restaurant I was practically assistant managing to work in a shop called American Classics in London. And it's a lot better than serving burgers to ingrates.

Yesterday I bought myself a Banjo.

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I have enjoyed everyone's story. I reas your story, and loved it. Very similar. Very very very similar. Tell your Greek mate Andy he is ****wit.
Cheers.
Benny.

Edward said:

Soren... Surely you're not done with Irvins yet, though? I mean, you really should try one of the Aero CCs..... (The Aeros are beautiful since they gotg the arm shape right, imo!)

Didn't realise you had a son in London - is he in the 'jacket club' as well?

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Don't tempt me Edward! (I know they've made some major adjustments - and I AM LOOKING!)
No - my son is not that much into leatherjackets - one idiot in the family must be enough. But he's very much into dressing smartly. Ties and bowties is more his thing! And suits!!!! OMG!:eusa_doh:

Occupation.

My name's Gersende, I'm 34 year old. I live in the South of France in a small village called Viviers.
I'm single and no children.
I worked as a computer technician for a high school and since 2004, I'm a civil servant of local governments (fonctionnaire territorial) and still work as a computer technician for the city of Montélimar.
I have a cat, named Mikoto. That cat is so narcissist it's incredible, lol
My hobbies? I like drawing (as you can see with my avatar), travelling, cooking and to my great regret eating...
At the moment my latest project is an Aero Sheene, I'm working with Holly and Sam to make the perfect jacket for me.

Narcissist? Yeah. That's cats alright. :lol:

Really great hearing everyone's stories. Tears were shed at fortypercentoffminimum@size50.com masterpiece. Craig, really awesome reading how you pulled through. I wish I had learned more from my failure of a childhood but all I've gotten out of it is a messed up brain and a police record.

navetsea said:

hi5 to Ivan, for pursuing where the passion is no matter how life tries to crush it down and ridicule it. I too can't separate hobby from profession. I hope one day us Illustrators would inherit the earth!!!

I did some children illustration too for a coloring website for 2-3 yrs this years though they have lots of my drawings still yet to be programmed into flash, so I do comics now, basically I draw 10hrs a day, not because I'm awesome, but because I'm a slow drawer and making lots of mistakes

sadly I have too many hobbies... and doing too many unpaid activities like making countless skin textures for my favorite games as downloadable fanmade freebies..., hand sewing miniature clothes for action figures..., making a complete boardgame prototypes just to be played with friends, drawing jackets, boots, pants I dream of having them made someday, many unproductive activities that shouldn't be done by a 36yo with a household to take care
but I'm happy at heart

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Oh man, I envy you since I can't draw for more than an hour a day anymore, but then again, I've never been in a worse state in my life so that's okay. I would've said you're into comic book and correct me if I'm wrong, character design art, just by looking at your fantastic jacket designs. And let me tell you that one cannot have too many hobbies! I dislike that word, hobby, but yeah, everything you do makes you a more complete human being, and that's all that matters in life. At least it's what I deeply believe in.

You're right, though - being an illustrator (or an artist) isn't a matter of choice... It's what I am and it's the only thing I feel I should be doing in life. Even though people told me I'm really good at all these random, different jobs I was doing, I never cared for making a career out of it. And children's books I especially adore working on because there are no rules. Sadly, children don't read that stuff anymore. Too many other distractions around, most that aren't really all that much imaginative (countless phone apps created for the sole purpose of making a quick buck) so I know it's video games where it's at but hard to make it there alone...

BTW, those drawings on the wall aren't mine. Some French artist did those and my lady loves them.

Wow, lots of interesting careers and stories from our members...............mine seems downright boring in comparison!

My name is Vince and I will turn 57 next month. A polymer engineer/scientist by education, I work as a Technical Director in the coatings industry. As boring as it sounds.... I direct R&D, product development, oversee Quality Control and manage environmental/regulatory issues for the company.

I have lifted weights most of my life and competed as an amateur bodybuilder and powerlifter in my younger days. While not quite in the shape I used to be in years ago, I still train several times per week and keep fit and strong.

My greatest accomplishments include my 31 year marriage to my wife and our three beautiful daughters. We put two through college and the youngest starts this fall.

My wife and I are looking forward to retirement (someday!) so we can continue enjoying camping, hiking, cycling, kayaking, travel, and spending time with our family.

While not a confirmed "jacket junkie", I do own six or seven leathers with my Aero Bootlegger being my favorite.

Superfluous said:

Great thread!

I'm Craig. Born and bred in Los Angeles. Normal upbringing until age 11, when I discovered drugs. The next six years are a blur of addiction and related insanity. Before the age of 17, I had been arrested six times, primarily for drug related offenses (e.g., sales of LSD and cocaine), and was incarcerated for one year. Thankfully, I hit bottom at a very young age (still a minor) and got sober through AA (31 years sober). Very active in recovery related community service. I was gifted a high school diploma (I certainly didn’t earn it, having been kicked out of the Los Angeles Unified School District and attended eight different high schools). Convinced a university to take a chance on me. Made the most of it. Then law school. I have been practicing law for 24 years. I am a business litigator . . . primarily entertainment (movie studios) and real estate (institutional developers).

My first leather jacket was from Wilson’s Leather. How I loved that jacket. As my addiction advanced, I bought into the marketing and purchased certain Italian jackets (e.g., Loro Piana, Zegna, RLPL, Sulka). Fine jackets (particularly the LP), but I was not satisfied. Then, I came across a vintage Buco J-100 and everything changed (I continue to kick myself for not purchasing the jacket on the spot – I called back two days later but it was sold). My interest in leather jackets quickly shifted from the Italian stuff to the vintage repros . . . primarily moto, civilian and car coats. I don’t know how many leather jackets I currently own, other than that I have way too many considering that I live desert adjacent with limited opportunities to wear a jacket. My favorite jackets are from Goodwear, Real McCoy, Himel, Aero and Freewheelers. I am also interested in watches and sports cars. Had a motorcycle many years ago but, after a nasty accident, I was psyched out and unable to regain my confidence . . . four wheels ever since.

Very happily married (second time is a charm). Mixed marriage – I ski – she snowboards – married at the top of Mammoth Mountain. Winters on the slopes – summers travelling (China/Tibet and France/England last year, Kenya/Tanzania/Rwanda the year before). Two daughters and a step daughter – eldest daughter leaves for college next year. All three are great kids. Step daughter is learning to drive – absolutely terrifying!

Totally jealous of the retired folks among our ranks. How I would love to leave my practice, escape the rat race, move to a rural area, and enjoy a more tranquil existence. Maybe when the kids are finished with college.

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A truly inspiring story Craig! Thanks for sharing

Hey everyone, my name is Nick and I'm a 25 year old currently living in Boston and working in Public Relations.

I'm also an amateur boxer, hip hop artist, motorcycle club secretary and a family man.

I found this forum because I've spent a long time searching for the perfect jacket (quest continues) and ended up finding out a lot more than I knew existed from a lot of people who know more than I thought possible.

My hobbies include the activities mentioned above, and spending time with my amazing girlfriend who supports my jacket/motorcycle obsession as well as any girl could be asked to.

As for bikes, I've got my daily rider which is a 2000 Yamaha Road Star, rigged up with harley hard bags and some nice 14" ape hangers. The project bike is a 1973 Harley Ironhead kickstart only which is on it's way to becoming a hardtail bobber. Living in the city it can be tough to squeeze a 1600cc monster between tightly parked cars, a bobber would be ideal for my commute.

Great to meet you all and thanks for all the advice.