“Nice, very nice. Say pops, can we go home now?” The Joe Greene, Mister Freedom® ©2024
Mister Freedom® CAMPUS “STUD” Jacket, Snap Fastener Edition, Veg-Tan Cowhide Leather.
Natural / Black Tea-core / “Bison” Tea-core.
Made in USA.
The following crackling announcement coming out of your old tube radio cabinet told no lies:
“If you have a penchant for the classics, the latest styles from Mister Freedom® will take your closet from Dullsville to Woahsville! The snappy dresser insists on the Mister Freedom® CAMPUS STUD!…”
Case in point, our latest drop, a subtle twist on the timeless 1930s-inspired MF® Campus Jacket refitted with easy-to-button vintage-style snap fasteners!
Trim wise, these original MF® branded brass snaps were introduced in 2020 with the western-wear style Maverick Jacket. They have since also been featured on the Roadeo Jacket, Sonny Puffer Vest, and Bronco Champ Type II. That’s how much we dig them.
From the early days — with patent origins in Germany dating back to the late 1800s — metal snap closures on garments and gear have been promoted as more practical, more reliable, and less maintenance than their sewn-on button predecessors. From utilitarian clothing providers to military outfitters to sportswear fashion brands, everyone took notice, and snaps are today ubiquitous.
These days, most First World Homo Sapiens know their way around Tik-Tok and Amazon more than they do around a needle and thread, so snap fasteners will definitely be a bonus. Although knowing how to sew a button back on is never a bad skill to have.
Some behind-the-scene manufacturing tidbits…
The idea about the front closure refit of our Campus Jacket came from how ridiculously fabulous (and vintage legit!) those brass snaps already looked on the veg-tan leather iterations of our Ranch Blouse. But the decision was mostly to address a production-related issue with the old Reece 101 keyhole machine needed to produce those classic buttonholes, machines known in the manufacturing world as temperamental work beasts usually intended and fine-tuned for woven material. Setting up the Reece 101 for button-fly blue jeans is one thing, for thick leather another.
In a nutshell, our leather jackets are produced in a local leather factory (in California, USA), and the buttonholes have to be out-sourced to a local denim factory (also in California, USA.) Lotsa logistics and QC involved there.
For the past few months, our on-going Campus Jacket production has been held back, garments all cut and sewn by the leather factory, but stuck at the buttonhole stage at the denim factory struggling to get its one machine properly adjusted for leather. And this is one stage you don’t want to mess up, as there is no second chance at making a proper keyhole buttonhole on a $1000 leather jacket. One round of lockstitch, one cut from the blade, one chance! Try that nine times on a single garment…
Today, the number of local Los Angeles technicians knowledgeable enough to even understand how a Reece 101 works is a single digit, a sad realization after this fine California city was — at its bygone clothing manufacturing heydays — a hub for sewing factories, cutting factories, sample-making ateliers, pattern makers, machinery experts, skilled operators, designers, etc… Off-shoring (discussed here), corporate greed and fast fashion unfortunately killed our thriving local garment industry, once as successful as the movie industry. In 2024, empty warehouses have replaced the bustling garment-producing factories, save for a few struggling survivors.
So, after a few cups of brain juice at MF® HQ, in good old “improvise, adapt, overcome” survival fashion, we decided to test on three unfinished CAMPUS prototypes, substituting sewn-on buttons with snap fasteners. It worked, both visually and practically!
For the new name, we simply ran out of puns and are calling this Campus Type II the CAMPUS “STUD” — stud fastener being another name for snap fastener —, having contemplated calling it the SNAPPY CAMPUS for a moment.
The brass snap fasteners blend in the 1930s “Cossack” jacket style remarkably well, subtly adding a mid-century twist, and contributing to the elegant vintage classic flair of a garment that never existed but could have, our design MO since 2006.
A run of the CAMPUS STUD is now available in our current grade of hefty (3-4 Oz.) veg-tan cowhide leather, in natural, black tea-core, and “Bison” tea-core.
The “Bison” option is a small limited run and a perfect choice if you fancy a brown leather jacket but find it challenging to commit to the patina journey of the natural model from pinkish-white-to-golden-brown. Introduced with the Ranch Blouse “Bison”, the leather will still age and develop an attractive patina with wear, but you just get a brown color head start!
The MF® CAMPUS STUD in veg-tan cowhide leather is designed and made in California by Mister Freedom®.
NOTE: Production of our OG sewn-on buttons Campus Jacket (in natural and black leather) will resume when we have the Reece 101 situation sorted out, ETA TBD.
SPECS:
PATTERN: An original pattern inspired by 1930’s sportswear ‘Cossack’ type unlined leather jackets.
LEATHER:
1) Natural vegetable-tanned full grain cow hide leather, milled and supple, about 3-4 Oz weight. Exclusively developed for MF®.
2) Black vegetable-tanned “Tea-Core” full grain cow hide leather, black topcoat with natural-color flesh side, milled and supple, about 3-4 Oz weight. Exclusively developed for MF®.
3) “Bison” vegetable-tanned “Tea-Core” full grain cow hide leather, russet brown topcoat with natural-color flesh side, milled and supple, about 3-4 Oz weight. Exclusively developed for MF®. (“Bison” is how the tannery refers to the specific brown color, this is not buffalo hide.)
NOTE: The Mister Freedom® CAMPUS STUD is made of genuine leather. We use full-grain, and not top-grain leather (aka corrected or buffed leather, sanded to level surface inconsistencies). No two hides are alike and each panel may feature variations in texture along with natural imperfections.
DETAILS:
* 1930’s sportswear jacket silhouette.
* Special stud fastener edition, original MF® branded brass snaps for front/cuffs closure.
* Fully unlined, clean seams inside & out.
* Natural and tea-core veg-tan leather guaranteed to develop an attractive ’vintage’ patina over time, with normal wear and routine conditioning.
* One piece back.
* Cotton corduroy collar and wrist cuff facing.
* Slash pockets with original arrowhead-shaped pocket stops.
* Side gussets with adjustable side straps (NOS metal slide buckles.)
* Underarm venting eyelets.
* Mister Freedom® ‘The Sportsman’ woven label behind the slash pocket, right front panel.
* Sturdy poly-cotton thread stitching.
* Made in California, USA.
SIZING/FIT:
The MF® Campus Jacket “STUD” edition does not require any type of pre-treatment or conditioning and is ready to wear as-is.
This garment is cut quite slim and we recommend referring to our sizing chart and comparing measurements with a similar style of jacket that fits you according to your own style/expectations.
The CAMPUS STUD features a classic old-school type cut with a shorter period silhouette that sits higher than most contemporary jackets, designed to compliment higher rise vintage-style trousers and jeans.
I consistently wear a size 38 in the Campus Jacket and — at 5’7 ~145 lbs lately — also opted for a size 38 in the STUD edition, with enough room for a thick corduroy shirt.
Please refer to product page measurements (click on “Size Chart”), and reach out to sales@misterfreedom.com for sizing advice if needed.
CARE:
Embrace the fact that the natural or “Tea-Core” leather is prone to get nicked and scratched, revealing the under-layer color, unavoidably showing signs of wear. Occasional conditioning when needed (according to actual frequency of wear and activities) will contribute to an attractive warm tone natural patina, and a healthy-looking leather.
For maintenance, we recommend Pecard Leather Dressing, following this method.
Do not use neatsfoot oil or leather conditioners specific to footwear.
Note: Due to the unlined nature of the CAMPUS STUD, some shedding of the leather ‘flesh’ side may occur temporarily and leave (brush-able) flecks visible on dark shirts. This light shedding will eventually subside with normal wear.
Available from www.misterfreedom.com, our Los Angeles brick & mortar store, and fine retailers around the World.
Email sales@misterfreedom.com or call 323-653-2014 with any questions unanswered above.
Thank you for your support.
Christophe Loiron
Mister Freedom®
©2024
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