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Aero Blue Label Project

Messages
17,158
Location
Chicago
Great, I'm relieved to hear it. :)

I think this is all about economies of scale. Aero has off cuts big enough to put together into 15 or so unmatched jackets. Should they cut them up into 150 matched gloves and wallets, when I'm sure they have as many smaller off cuts as they could ever use making wallets and gloves that matched?

I appreciate that since unmatched jackets aren't something you're in to, that you seem mystified by this. But I think that it's a really cool and subtlety individual look that is guaranteed to look so much better with age. It's very individual.
I like the sustainability of this as well. A complete shame would be simply disposing of these otherwise perfectly usable hides. I also agree that this gives the jacket a very unique character. I hope they continue this process. I'll be watching that section closely. I was a hair trigger from getting after that dustbowl but the guilt of doing so, knowing my next Aero is in production now, was more than even this junkie could bear.
 
Messages
17,158
Location
Chicago
I don't think the theft caused Aero any financial damage, companies of that size have insurance against theft and even more so if you have a history like Aero has.

I'm curious though whether these more affordable Blue Label sales are going to be a permanent thing to reach out for the part of the market that's currently inhabited by more affordable companies, especially one specific company..
I don't think so JJ. This is just using materials responsibly and not wasting them. At least that's my take on it. To my eye some of those jackets are flawless and could easily be sold without the blue label.
 

lina

Practically Family
Messages
990
Location
Washington DC
They’ve actually been doing the “blue label” thing for a while now, but I guess just called attention to it recently. Seems fine to me. Sort of like Viberg boots and others doing the occasional “sample sale” of one offs and slightly marred boots. Everybody wins — sellers make some money, buyers get a little discount.
 
Messages
10,989
Location
SoCal
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The SURF hoodie looks like it was made for Stitch:
Screen Shot 2017-10-07 at 8.47.13 AM.jpg
 

Big J

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,961
Location
Japan
@ton312, yes, sustainability! I couldn't quite manage to get that out last night! LOLZ! But yes, that's what it is.

Yesterday I caught my wife watching a Euronews piece on Chanel/Westwood/McCartney shows in Paris (wife is a huge fan of Vivienne Westwood), and caught Stella McCartney explaining that her 'leather' jackets are all made from 'cruelty free leather alternatives', and I just thought, 'plastic'.
Ten minutes later there's a piece on Charles Windsor warning that plastic contamination of the oceans is endangering the food chain. What's Stella McCartney got to say to the Prince of Wales about that?
 

Sloan1874

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,418
Location
Glasgow
I'm a bit mystified about this thread. It's not as if the blue label line is a new thing or that it's purpose is unclear. As anyone who knows and dealt with Aero, they are not in the business of taking advantage of their customers or pulling the wool over their eyes - the OP has stated he's an extensive collection of their jackets, so surely he knows this to be true.
So to say that this is some sort of desperate bid to make up any shortfall on the jackets, even though a fair number have been recovered, seems far-fetched to say the least.
 

Peter Bowden

Practically Family
Messages
598
Location
united kingdom
I'm a bit mystified about this thread. It's not as if the blue label line is a new thing or that it's purpose is unclear. As anyone who knows and dealt with Aero, they are not in the business of taking advantage of their customers or pulling the wool over their eyes - the OP has stated he's an extensive collection of their jackets, so surely he knows this to be true.
So to say that this is some sort of desperate bid to make up any shortfall on the jackets, even though a fair number have been recovered, seems far-fetched to say the least.
Is that as in items recovered from the 10th July break-in?
 
Messages
17,158
Location
Chicago
I'd love to see Aero do a cross zip from these mismatched cuts. A j106 or 107, bootlegger would be really cool! I'd go for different colors altogether as well. Black and midnight blue, Cordo and black, brown etc...that could be really, really sweet and something I'd never try to spec out on my own.
Great news about the recovery of those stolen jackets. I hadn't heard anything either but saw some highly suspect sellers on that popular auction site. I've wondered how that all shook out.
 

Mich486

One Too Many
Messages
1,671
Still quite pricey though. At that price point I might drop another £100 and get a regular one. I think they should discount them at least at 30% of their original price otherwise I see little incentive.

But yeah to an untrained eye like mine sone really look like they have no defect whatsoever so kudos to aero for describing exactly what is not right compared to standard jackets.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

willyto

One Too Many
Messages
1,616
Location
Barcelona
Do you realize that these are not factory seconds by any means, right? These are just missmatched leather panels that actually in some of the jackets you can barely notice. This are made up to the same standard as regular jackets, it's just the leathers that can be missmatched. If something with Goatskin appeared... I might pick it up.

My Aero half belt made by Ken has one of these Blue Labels too. As I recall it was a sample made by him so this can't be something new, they're just promoting it.
 

Fanch

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,490
Location
Texas
One of my first Aeros was a blue label mid-weight cowhide HWM that I still might have if the sleeves had been 27" instead of 26".
 

Sloan1874

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,418
Location
Glasgow
To me this is just broadens the opportunities for people to get an Aero. Not everyone wants to risk the eBay route or likes buying second hand; others are looking to dip a toe into the waters of high end jackets but don't want to go 'all-in'.
For what it's worth, if I'd been just starting out in this hobby/obsession, the Blue Labels are just the sort of thing I'd go for. As it was, when I was looking at my first Aero the sale page was not as well presented as it is now, the the returns were just not appealing - this was the period of endless free mods - and the cost of new jackets was not much greater.
 

wild_balls

Practically Family
Messages
594
Location
WESTCOAST OF SWEDEN
Hey, Aero has Done this bluelabel thing before, it’s not a new thing!
Bought myself an exceptional blue label Highwayman years ago that now are my favourite!

Cheers Joakim
 
Messages
17,158
Location
Chicago
Perhaps Aero Green label would've been a better moniker, as these jackets reduce waste and maximize material usage. Either way I really like the idea and the jackets.
 

CBI

One Too Many
Messages
1,418
Location
USA
Boy, a lot of this is what the reader makes of it. I like the idea. My take is less expensive/less perfect jackets like the days when lots of these patterns were originally made. I like jackets a bit rough around the edges, mismatched hides, more thrown together look than a super perfect jacket. IMHO

I own an Aero apprentice made A-2 and I really love it. Looks like a mass-produced off the rack A-2 from the era with great (but not super beautiful) hide. Its a fun jacket to throw on and does not look overdone in any way. Of course, I love the super high-end A-2 approach as well. Just enjoying it all .....................
 

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