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AERO STYLE REVIEW THE OUTERWEAR EDITION

100 Years of Gentleman’s

What the Brits Wore

Aero ; In the Beginning

The Story of The Highwayman

Hard Times meant Great in USA

From the Bookshelf

The Label Archives

ISSUE THREE A SMALL SELECTION OF AERO LABELS Page by Page: THE CONTENTS

2 100 Years of British Clothing: Saville Row to Scappa Flow No Century brought so many changes to men’s clothing as the nation went through the Class Divide, two World Wars, The General Strike, Rock’n’Roll, Psychedelia, and the re Birth of proper leather jackets in 1981.

6 Aero Leather Clothing: A Series of “Firsts” Classic Leather Jackets, how a small Scottish company led the revolution, bringing back lost tailoring techniques while resurrecting Horsehide as the leather of choice.

8 The Story of The Highwayman: Battersea To Greenbank Mill Perhaps the best known of the last 40 years, how it went from its 1950s inception all the way to the 21st Century and back again, this time to the 1930s.

10 Hard Times but Great Jackets in USA: The Depression Years While the country suffered The Great Depression, Prohibition and The Dust Storms necessity saw the birth of some of the most outstanding jackets of the Century.

12 From the Bookcase: Essential companions for a rainy afternoon A selection of reference books recommended for collectors of vintage clothing covering Vintage Leather Jackets, The USAAF, The CC41 Scheme and Aero Leather Clothing.

Cover: Luke Evans wears an Aero “Hudson”. Photo by Gavin Bond. Contents Page: Aero founder Ken Calder. Photo by Oliver Breitwieser. Aero Product Photos: Dominick O’Donnell and Neil Davidson. Printing: Footeprint, Jedburgh.

1 100 YEARS OF BRITISH CLOTHING: SAVILLE ROW TO SCAPPA FLOW

hile researching “What application of dye to disguise Hampden” after the spiritual home of The Brits Wore” during the origin of the . Scottish Football. the last 100 years we W For those who could afford a new discovered that many of the most pair of boots, the first choice would be iconic garments have either been in a seven eyelet ankle , as favoured constant production or have been “Old sports boots by everyone from the likes of Charlie revived and lovingly recreated by were often Chaplin or Ramsey MacDonald to the a handful of specialist companies. local Milkman. A boot very similar The further the subject is researched converted to to Aero’s Jarrow Boot or the slightly the more obvious it becomes is dressier Town Boot. that Aero, possibly more than any everyday ” other manufacturer, have played the Although there had been many leading role in ensuring that the very One of the more difficult promises made about the new order, best of 20th Century British design conversions was turning a pair of old Britain in the 1930’s was still very is not merely destined for a place football boots into a daily wearer; divided by perceived class and in The V&A but that most pieces but the results when done well were wealth distribution, or rather, the remain relevant to this very day. quite spectacular. The studs were lack of it. Despite this imbalance all men basically dressed in a very British tailoring, design and removed, obviously, and a heel was similar style, a three piece , manufacturing had for long been fitted in the place of the back studs. and tie for office work while the highly regarded across the World The recycled boots looked great, manual worker would also wear a from Savile Row , Scottish often the envy of many, especially three piece suit and shirt with the Tweeds and Knitwear to footwear kids who loved the idea of being able concession of a or perhaps a made in Northampton, but in 1919 to play football in the street or in the pair of Corduroy and a Fair for the soldiers returning from what playground wearing a “proper pair” Isle , either way worn with a was known at the time as “The of football boots. Newsboy’s to keep the rain off Great War”, most would have just his head and face. been glad of a waterproof and a decent pair of second hand boots. To some extent Sport and Leisure activities provided a more level The huge demand for boots for playing field and sports clothing the military during WW1 meant became more available, the period that factories all over The UK, but illustration from Esquire Magazine especially in Northampton, had set up in 1931 shows a golfer dressed in a large scale production facilities and. without the military contracts, these factories turned to mass producing civilian footwear. Before long a proper pair of boots were available within the range of most folk’s Hampden Boots and Cloth ! budget but even so, many kids still Fast forward nearly a 100 years and wore wooden clogs, others relied on what at first glance appears to be a pair boots bought in jumble sales or hand- 1920’s Scotch football boots me-downs, while the conversion of with the classic tarsal strap, rounded sporting footwear into everyday wear toe cap, lacing and the early was relatively common. type ankle strap turns out to be a pair Some conversions were relatively of leather lined everyday boots made simple; Skating Boots with the by Aero and fitted with a Goodyear metal hardware removed resulted Welted Danite Sole, chosen, not only in a serviceable pair of everyday for its wear qualities, but also to give boots. Old Cricket Boots were the feel of a studded boot. As a final similarly given a new lease of life, nod to the inspiration of the originals again by removing the studs, and the the boot has been named “The Golfer Circa 1931 Esquire Magazine

2 well pair of Tweed trousers worn with Fair Isle being the under a typical sporting suede jacket, most popular design. the type available from the likes “Clothing rations of Gamages or Waring & Gillow, were introduced finished off with a spotted scarf. without warning”

point values. Items of clothing were assigned point values, each person was allowed sixty-six points a year, which was supposed to equate to one complete outfit of clothing for the average adult. Certain anomalies occurred, one being that Corduroy trousers which were designated work wear status and therefore needed only five coupons as Nobody was excused duty opposed to eight coupons needed for trousers made of most other fabrics. Detachable collars on men’s This lead to cord trousers being very were also encouraged for longevity. popular during the 1940s, worn for An artisan in those days probably The Royale – work and leisure these traditional had two of these so there would a typical British Sports Jacket "Utility" corduroy trousers were hard always be clean shirt ready to wear wearing and comfortably cut. for Church on a Sunday, with a collar The same outfit is available to this attached and a tie of course. day at Aero, there’s a range of Harris Tweed trousers, Spotted Silk and The Royale, a recreation typical of the British sporting leather or suede jackets available in the 1930s, not an exact copy of any particular one but with the best features borrowed from several archive examples and very similar to the jacket in the famous St Andrews railway poster. Clothing rationing began in June 1st 1941 with no warning; it was announced out of the blue on the news at 9.00am mainly to prevent a Original 1940s Fair Isle Pattern rush of panic buying. Due to the war Six Month’s Worth of Coupons He'd remove the collar on Monday, effort there was a shortage of fabric To ensure that such clothing that which invariably would be wash so clothing rations were controlled was available was of a serviceable day, and put in his six days labour on a points system and books were quality, the CC41 scheme was wearing that same shirt. On the issued containing coupons of various introduced setting not only quality following Sunday he'd put on a clean regulations but a book of approved one, whether he needed one or not, clothing designs, trousers, for and the cycle would continue. example, were required to have a , fronts, high Scarves and Tweed Caps were line with fishtail back complete with worn most of the year round, in the cinch strap and , for cities nobody knew whether or not braces and turn-ups. they’d be spending another night in an Air Raid shelter, and a scarf and became more cap no matter how humble, were an popular than ever, in addition to excellent way of keeping warm. avoiding using up clothing coupons, new garments could be made using Silk scarves of the other hand, Typical 1940s Clothing Advert unravelled old unwearable old were a staple piece of clothing in

3 These stylish jackets, popularly known as "Irvins", were originally made by The Irvin Parachute Co, but “Coffee Bars, by the late 1930s were outsourced to Rock and Roll several contractors as the Irvin factory concentrated on making parachutes. and Teenagers, Despite the influence of the it’s 1954” American GIs “over here” with their Hollywood inspired manner of , men’s clothing in Britain the everyday British vocabulary even immediately after WW2 had though the term had been first coined changed little from the 1930s, by Life Magazine in 1944. rationing continued into the 1950s and even the young man about town dressed very similarly to his father.

Classic CC41 Work Shirt every self-respecting gentleman's . Loved by RAF pilots and Hollywood stars alike, during the wartime years these were equally at home in the skies of Europe or worn by film greats such as Cary Grant and David Niven sporting a silk scarf, whether in an action film The first of the cults emerged, keeping a stiff upper lip or dipping The 2 i’s Coffee Bar – Boys, who sported “Duck’s into a glitzy Mayfair Restaurant. Old Compton Street, Soho Arse” haircuts and dressed in the The RAF fliers were the Glory As the nation found its feet again, style of Edwardian rogues and Boys of the decade, their exploits Coffee Bar’s started to appear in Rockers, whose dress was inspired were watched by millions on Pathe Soho and rationing finally came by The Wild One and the RAF. News every week, these brave to an end in 1954 coinciding with Those who could find one wore an young men one minute in the skies the release of the decade’s seminal old WW2 Irvin over a heavy Military over Britain, the next dashing from sound track, Billy Haley’s Rock Surplus Roll Neck sweater. Those illicit night spot to base at dawn in Around The Clock and the use of who wanted the look but couldn’t an open MG, their Flying Jacket the word “Teenagers”, a new term find an original jacket went to Pride worn over their civvies and an Opera to describe ……well, teenagers?.... & Clark in Brixton who produced a Scarf blowing in the morning breeze. which by then had found its way into rough copy.

RAF Pilot in Irvin and Silk Scarf Aero RAF Sweaters with WW2 Irvin

4 The British Bike Jacket market was served by the likes of Mascot, Lewis and, of course, “A visit here feels Rivetts who manufactured their like a trip back in own classic “Highwayman” which, some 30 years later, was to be the time” inspiration for Aero’s legendary Highwayman, an Americanised there are stacks of Fair Isle pullovers version of the original British 1950’s which look as if they were knitted on ’s jacket. crofts across Scotland, which is no These jackets were teamed up with doubt where the hand knitted Military Surplus white roll necks left originated. The socks sit in an old over from WW2, Sheepskin lined display cabinet housing a dozen or so bike boots inspired by the RAF pairs of leather boots and beautiful Flying Boots and a pair of , a classic leather travel bag. much sought after style statement, and if these could be Levis, then so much the better. Walking through the Aero showroom today could just as easily be taking place in the 1950s.

Coming soon at Aero – The 3 Piece 1930s Donegal Suit An old Arts & Crafts Rack is hung heavily with Tweed Caps and a range of scarves and all this is before rail after rail of what appears to be deadstock vintage leather jackets catch the eye. But these are not from the 1950s; they have just been made in the room at the far end of the old stone building! Eddie Cochran This is where the magic takes place, the room seems to be buzzing with In the background there is productivity, it’s certainly bursting the unmistakeable sound of the Aero’s Orginal 1935 Hercules with highly motivated opening bars of Eddie Cochran’s artisans. Young graduates C’mon Everybody coming from from nearby by Heriot one of the offices while a dummy Watt University work stands resplendent in Aero’s alongside traditional clothing 59’er Highwayman worn over a workers from families with Submariner’s Sweater and a pair generations of experience of LVC 501s, he’s even wearing a in the local clothing trade. pair of typical post war Bike Boots, While patterns are being another Aero exclusive. Next to him cut for new designs on an a vintage cabinet displays a range adjacent table skins of leather shirts bearing WW2 era CC41 labels, are being cut into panels although these look to be an attic which will become a jacket find, this apparently is not so, these by the end of the afternoon! too have been recreated by Aero. The one synonymous Amongst the racks of clothing in factor is the skill levels and the Aero showroom Harris Tweed enthusiasm which seem to trousers sit alongside collarless shirts, 1930s Hercules Advert – only the prices have changed! be shared by one and all.

5 AERO LEATHER CLOTHING: A SERIES OF “FIRSTS” In the beginning ...

The Thrift Shop, Battersea, London Vintage was still the “day job” at The Thrift Shop, however and until the birth of their first original design, The Highwayman in 1983, the A-2 was the only style made by Aero. Both styles have been in continuous production at Aero ever since although no more than a few jackets a month rolled of the sewing machines tucked away in a corner of The Thrift Shop in those early days. From 1984 and a move to Scotland, production of Aero jackets increased at a rate of knots, fuelled by the demand not only from dozens of Scottish Indie , but from hoards of Students blowing their grants on a Highwayman. However, it was the re-introduction of Horsehide in 1986, a seminal moment in the revival of the genre, that was to set the global trend for the next few decades.

The Original “Battersea” Type A-2. (Inset) WW2 USAAF Pilot Horsehide Label nce upon a time, not that The inspiration drawn from five Initially unable to find any very long ago, it was almost years spent restoring the contents of horsehide, the earliest Aero jackets Oimpossible to find a leather bales full of vintage leather jackets were all made of Connolly Steerhide, jacket of the type that had been on a daily basis led to the first Aero although widely regarded as the commonplace on both sides of being made in 1981, a Type A-2. World’s finest leather and the first The Atlantic during the mid-20th To diversify for a moment, that choice of the likes of Rolls Royce, Century. Vintage was out of , actual first jacket, having spent the Bentley, Ferrari, Maserati, Aston the internet was a distant dream but following 30 years with its original Martin and Jaguar to name but a few, The Thrift Shop in London seemed owner, is now back in pride of place it was well and truly trumped when to have a regular supply coming over in the Aero archives and is on display Aero’s “new” horsehide arrived. from USA. in the Galashiels showroom.

6 It was late 1985, two large front Today the Aero range has grown quarters arrived from USA at the close to one hundred Aero factory and within a few designs and while many are Military hours the first Aero horsehide reproductions, the majority of these jacket had been completed, a 1950s designs are original and unique to Style Half , a jacket that is still Aero yet most are indistinguishable in the Aero archives. from a jacket that could have made during the Golden Age of American tailoring. “Why Horsehide?”

Although the go-to leather of choice by the best jacket makers from the outset of the 20th Century, by the early 1960s the use of First Horsehide Circa 1985 this amazing leather had fallen in The World making Horsehide completely out of fashion. jackets but, whether inspired by Aero or not, oh how things have changed over the following 30 years!!! Today, it is considered mandatory for horsehide to be an option from any manufacturer or tannery operating at the very highest level.

Aero Shackleton Over the years their clothing range has expanded way beyond leather to cover every aspect of a gentleman’s traditional wardrobe, styles that are never in fashion nor out of fashion, indeed have no part in fashion. Exclusive Scottish Knitwear, 1942 Advertisment for Footwear made in Northampton, Horsehide Jackets Harris Tweed sourced direct from the Islands, traditional Trousers Made in It wasn’t until Aero revived England, Classic headwear are all this lost leather that anyone had part of a unique range of traditional considered the use of Horsehide Aero Clothing sold in some of the for the manufacture of jackets for a finest shops across the World, in The couple of decades. UK, Japan, Germany, USA, France, For the rest of the Aero Switzerland, Scandinavia, China, continued to be the only company The Current Aero Type B-3 Korea, Australia, the list goes on ...

Aero Stockist Gasoline Alley, Munich – Photo Jochen Hirschfeld Aero Japan Showroom, Hakkano

7 THE STORY OF THE HIGHWAYMAN

ack in 1983, two years after the embryonic “Aero Leather “Two of those first BClothing” had been born under the wing of The Thrift Shop six prototypes are it was decided that the time had come to introduce a new jacket. The on display in the demand for the few reproduction A-2s that had been produced since Aero archives” 1981 suggested there was a market for recreations of vintage jackets, no doubt led by the steady rise in the price of originals as the interest in vintage in general soared. Rather than copy any original design, and there were dozens in stock to choose from, the decision was made to start afresh by taking The 59’er Highwayman – inspiration from the best selling The Rocker’s favourite vintage UK Bike Jacket, “The Highwayman” made by Rivetts of The choice of name for this unique Leytonstone during the 1950s and version, "The 59'er Highwayman", redesign and remodel it as it might paid homage to the "59 Club" have been had it been an American members for whom a Highwayman jacket of the same era. was virtually de rigueur and, I suppose, to the year 1959 which was probably the heyday of this style of jacket.

The very first Highwayman

While the very first Aero Highwayman was much closer to the Rivetts’ jacket, by the time the sixth one had been made the jacket had become The Highwayman that is known, loved and copied all over The World. Those early jackets were all made in Connolly Hide but in 1986 all was to change forever when Aero A still from the 1964 film – added Horsehide to their acclaimed The Leather Boys range of leather. (More about this on pages 6 and 7). Initially around half a dozen prototypes were made, each one Fast forward to 2013, to mark improving on the previous version the 30th Anniversary of the birth until they arrived at the exact design of The Highwayman Aero added that has now remained unchanged a recreation of the original Rivetts for almost 40 years and has been jacket the range, using only British Aero’s best seller every year since manufacturing techniques, original it’s inception, despite being copied patterns and materials to produce Hugh Laurie in his Aero Highwayman – by virtually every jacket maker on the quintessential 1950s British Photo Ian White the planet. Bike Jacket.

8 The next and most obvious project was to create an "All New" 1930s Highwayman, a "back to the future" version of the Aero classic. The only way to achieve the slim cut look was to go back a further 20 years and design a new "Highwayman" as if it was an early 1930s jacket.

“The word “Highwayman” has been synonymous with the name “Aero” since 1983”

Using Aero’s new Premier pattern block with it's classic 1930s profile, slimmed down body and and high cut armholes, the design team made minor changes to the panel configuration. The back yoke was raised and reshaped, the front slightly dipped, the collar was redesigned and instead of the standard 1950s false cuff used on their original, Aero fitted cuffs more typical of the era complete with period Corozo buttons. To complete the 1930s makeover the new Highwayman was fitted with period , a riveted grommet front and a classic 30s looped pocket zipper.

Chromexcel Premier Highwayman after a couple of years wear

Premier Label Even to the most critical eye, the new Highwayman looks and fits exactly as if it been designed and made in the early 1930s and is a worthy addition to Aero’s Premier Range. Route 66 “That’s what I call a Highway, Man!” Photo: Bill Dic

9 THE GOLDEN AGE OF AMERICAN LEATHER JACKETS

drivers who delivered Hooch from the Moonshiners to the Bootleggers.

“Nothing could outrun a well driven Whiskey Six”

Aero Maxwell in Battered Horsehide

he 1920s and 1930s saw “cleared” deep into The Appalachian great hardship in America, Mountains where the limited Tanyone investing in a leather road network made it difficult and jacket during The Depression uneconomical to transport regular demanded a practical garment corn crop products. built to withstand whatever came it’s way, the hallmarks of an Aero product such as the 1920s Work Bootlegger – Coat, The Mulligan, The Dustbowl, Classic 1930s All Puropse Jacket The Barnstormer and the recently introduced “Prohibition Series”. By the early 20th century Moonshine had become a key source of income for many ex patriate Celts

The Hooch Hauler Typical 1930s Back Panelling

The term “Moonshine” refers to illegally distilled liquor made Three Classic Leather Jackets underground, or “in the moonlight” Circa 1933 and the first “Bootleggers” were early Colonists who smuggled These guys drove a Whiskey liquor hidden in their boots. While Six, a big-wheeled Buick or Prohibition made these terms Studebaker fitted with souped-up The Moonshiner with late 20’s household words, far less is known Cadillac ambulance motors to make Button Closure about “Hooch Haulers”, the gung-ho ridiculously powerful moonshine

10 over coffee and bacon rolls at 6.30 am in a small Scottish factory became the default name for a 1920s American double breasted Flying Coat, in the same way names like Hoover and Jeep became eponyms of the original invention.

Modified Whiskey Six: “Things go better with” an Auxiliary Petrol Tank! toting getaway vehicles with stripped protect the wearer from the harshest out interiors to make room for a of conditions they’d encounter maximum load of “product”. The between Oklahoma and The West top drivers knew every dirt road Coast. Ironically, at the same time The Blizzard – and short cut on those Appalachian Hollywood stars were wearing jackets A single breasted Barnstormer backwoods, they were the original of a very similar design, for example Over the years a shearling Hot Rodders and many a Customs Aero’s high grade Suede “Majestic” Barnstormer joined Aero’s line-up, car ended up wrapped around a tree was inspired by jackets worn by Clark if ever a garment truly merited the or in a ditch during the regular high Gable and Errol Flynn, yet at the term “All Weather” this was surely speed chases. same time virtually identical battered that coat. This was recently followed horsehide jackets protected the backs by the stunning “Blizzard”, a stylised of Oakie immigrants en route to the version with a thick Shearling collar promised land. and lined in heavy wool blanket with Despite several decades passing a built in waistcoat. since the Wright Brothers era, flying was still in its infancy, Mail pilots flew long and dangerous routes, often in darkness, and Cropdusters risked life and limb spraying fields from less than 50 foot above the ground while the really crazy pilots joined the Flying Circus.

Low level cropdusting at dusk “Who coined the name Barnstormer?” The Majestic – A Hollywood favourite

Elsewhere, huge tracts of Central When Aero first brought out their America were wiped out by the Dust classic 1920s Coat Flight Coat in the Storms, poor families headed west late 1980s, it was to those hell raisers to the orange groves of California, that they turned for inspiration. The many wearing similar horsehide term “Barnstormer” was coined to The Aero Blizzard has its own period jackets to Aero’s Dustbowl, chosen to name their jacket, a word chosen style label

11 FROM THE BOOKCASE: ESSENTIAL COMPANIONS FOR A RAINY AFTERNOON

“Love – Aero Leather Bible” by Tomi Tsukada A project of true passion from Japanese Graphic Artist Tomi Tsukada, a decades-long Aero fan. This substantial high grade, hard backed Limited Edition publication features a unique combination of art-work and photography detailing the history of Aero and giving readers a sneak-peek behind the scenes. Printed on the highest quality heavy duty paper this superb Coffee Table tome covers the following sections. History of Aero Leather Clothing (1975 to Present Day) Aero Leather Jackets, the Aero Family. the Aero Showroom, Factory and Archives, Illustrations by the Author plus a chapter devoted to a series of photographs of Aero customers wearing their jackets. Text in Japanese and English.

“CC41 Utility Clothing” by Mike Brown The Utility symbol, CC41, is one of the most iconic symbols in the history of clothing in Britain, instantly recognisable to anyone who lived in Blighty through the Second World War or the immediate post-war years. Mike Brown’s superb book offers a fascinating explanation of a little understood scheme with a wealth of knowledge complimented by colour photographs and original illustrations. He looks at the background to, and the evolution of, the clothing scheme and the symbol as it expanded to include more items of clothing, everything from underwear to fur . The Utility symbol grew to be a mark of quality and value, something which sadly deteriorate in the post-war years. A most informative publication.

“Silver Wings, Pinks and Greens” by Jon Maguire One of the best reference books available on the subject of the USAAF and insignia during the World War II years, covering a broad range of clothing, collar insignia, rank insignia, shoulder/ insignia and squadron patches. Additionally, there is an in- depth examination of wing qualification badges. Actual items are presented in nearly 600 illustrations in full colour, and as they appeared in actual war-era photos. Silver Wings, Pinks & Greens and the Author’s follow up, “More Silver Wings, Pinks and Greens” would be useful additions to the libraries of collectors, historians, and veterans alike.

“ Jackets: A Century of Leather Design” by Rin Tanaka Long out of print but an essential reference book for the study of the title subject, if a copy comes on the market, don’t miss it. With an initial print run of only 2000, these will not be easy to locate, however there is a Revised Second Edition with updated photos which, although also out of print, is not as hard to find. These beautiful books guide the reader through the detail, label designs and close ups of a century's worth of leather jackets, including a vintage Aero jacket from 1994 from Rin Tanaka's personal private collection.

12 WHO MADE THAT JACKET? MEET SOME OF THE AERO PRODUCTION STAFF

Murray Gladstone – Head Cutter Sam Carr – Production Manager Ross Sibbald – Cutter

Julie Leitch – Head Machinist Morgan Wilson – Machinist Toni Hogarth – Machinist

Gail Turnbull – Machinist Greg Field – Machinist Moira MacKenzie – Machinist

Tony Glover – Machinist Christine Harley – Machinist Sahv Falla – Machinist Aero Timeline SCOTTISH KNITWEAR HAS A LONG AND FASCINATING HISTORY. IN THIS PUBLICATION WE’VE RESEARCHED THE ROOTS OF SOME OF THE MOST LOVED DESIGNS OF THE LAST ONE HUNDRED YEARS, 1976 : The Thrift Shop opens in Battersea London, later to be the birthplace of Aero SPECIFICALLY LOOKING AT THE HISTORIC INFLUENCES THAT COURSE 1981THROUGH : The first THE ever RANGE Aero jacket OF KNITWEAR is made, a CURRENTLYType A-2, today PRODUCED it’s in the BYAero AERO Archives 1983 : The first Highwayman is made,KNITWEAR. that same style is still Aero’s top selling jacket 1984 : Aero leaves The Thrift Shop and opens their first factory in Moffat, Scotland 1986 : Aero become the first manufacturer to use Horsehide after it’s 25 year hiatus 1986 :ALTHOUGH Aero design BETTER the “Car, KNOWN Bike & Plane”AS MANUFACTURERS label which is still OF in HIGH use to GRADE this very day OUTERWEAR, AERO HAVE BEEN RECREATING SOME OF THE MOST 1987 : ICONICThe first KNITWEAR consignment OF AeroTHE jackets 20TH CENTURYarrive in Japan FOR THEat Slapshot, LAST THIRTY Shibuya,Tokyo 1987 : AeroYEARS, introduce ALL CRAFTED their 20th BY Leather A HIGHLY Flying SKILLED Coat and TEAM coin OFthe KNITTERSname Barnstormer 1988 : SCATTEREDAero open a back-upACROSS factory THE SCOTTISH in London HIGHLANDSto cope with theAND increase ISLANDS. in demand 1989 : Aero stock Lee Jeans to become the first in The UK to import Japanese 1989 : Demand continues to grow Aero moves the London production to Galashiels THE FULL RANGE OF KNITWEAR ILLUSTRATED IN THE PAGES OF THIS 1992 : Aero move into the current factory, the historic Greenbank Mill in Galashiels PUBLICATION IS OFFERED FOR SALE ON OUR WEBSITE AND FROM THE 1992AERO : Aero LEATHER introduce CLOTHING RAF, USN FACTORY& US Army SHOP, Air Force WHILE Military CERTAIN Sheepskin PIECES Production ARE 1993 : Aero (TransatlanticAVAILABLE FROM Clothing SELECTED Co) honoured STOCKISTS with The WORLDWIDE. Queens Award for Export 1994 : Aero (Transatlantic Clothing Co.) win The British Exporter of The Year Award 1999-2004 : Aero work hand in hand with Levis in the launch and early years of LVC IN THE NEXT ISSUE WE WILL LOOK AT EVERYDAY CLOTHING AND 2010 : Aero re-introduce their range of traditional footwear, discontinued in 1989 FOOTWEAR ACROSS THE LAST 100 YEARS AND THOSE ITEMS THAT 2012 AERO: Aero CURRENTLY moves all production REPRODUCE to Greenbank ALONGSIDE Mill andOUR an FAMOUS exciting LEATHERnew era begins 2013 : Aero’s first In House tradeCLOTHING show marks RANGE. the introduction of 25 all new designs 2013 : Aero’s exclusive Vicenza Veg Tanned Horsehide is added to the leather range 2017 : Aero introduce their exclusive new range of Knitwear all “Made in Scotland”

Aero Leather Clothing Ltd Greenbank Mill Huddersfield Street Galashiels TD1 3AY Aero LeatherScotland Clothing Ltd Tel:Greenbank 44 (0)1896 755353Mill www.aeroleatherclothing.comHuddersfield Street Galashiels TD1 3AY Scotland Tel: +44 (0)1896 755353 www.aeroleatherclothing.com