prostaff4ever
Member
Gentlemen,
I was astute and lucky enough to enroll in Bill Kelso's program to replace the knits of my original 1402 Werber. Fortunately for me, Platon was still looking for an original to copy for one of his next Manufacturer's reproduction releases and I happened to have one in a size 42. However, there was much more to be done to the jacket in addition to simply replacing the knits. The zipper had to be replaced, the collar leather was worn through, and there were a bunch of seams that needed to be closed as quite a bit of the stitching had come undone. Oh, yes, and the lining had to be completely replaced as well. But Platon was a gentleman through and through and agreed to every single repair that I listed. I really didn't expect all that much, as I was not being charged for any of it, not even the return postage, but I thought that I might as well give it a shot.
Needless to say that when I received the jacket back, I was simply stunned at the craftsmanship and level of care that went into the restoration. It looks like a completely different jacket than when it left. I knew it had tremendous potential as the leather was in good shape (save for the collar), but to see sewing that matched the original stitch holes was incredibly impressive! I have never had any other restoration done nearly as well for me. And I did not pay a single cent for this platinum service! Although I know that because I was lucky enough to have an original that Platon was looking for that I was not charged, I would not have faulted him a single bit if the work had been one tenth as good as it turned out to be. It speaks loads about his character as well as the craftsmanship of the tailors who work at Bill Kelso. I will be waiting for one of his reproductions of this Werber for sure, but I am also considering using his services in copying some other very interesting original jackets as well. In any case, I have posted pictures of the Werber here for your viewing. I will conclude by saying that Platon and Bill Kelso have earned 5 gold stars by me. I can't thank them enough!
I was astute and lucky enough to enroll in Bill Kelso's program to replace the knits of my original 1402 Werber. Fortunately for me, Platon was still looking for an original to copy for one of his next Manufacturer's reproduction releases and I happened to have one in a size 42. However, there was much more to be done to the jacket in addition to simply replacing the knits. The zipper had to be replaced, the collar leather was worn through, and there were a bunch of seams that needed to be closed as quite a bit of the stitching had come undone. Oh, yes, and the lining had to be completely replaced as well. But Platon was a gentleman through and through and agreed to every single repair that I listed. I really didn't expect all that much, as I was not being charged for any of it, not even the return postage, but I thought that I might as well give it a shot.
Needless to say that when I received the jacket back, I was simply stunned at the craftsmanship and level of care that went into the restoration. It looks like a completely different jacket than when it left. I knew it had tremendous potential as the leather was in good shape (save for the collar), but to see sewing that matched the original stitch holes was incredibly impressive! I have never had any other restoration done nearly as well for me. And I did not pay a single cent for this platinum service! Although I know that because I was lucky enough to have an original that Platon was looking for that I was not charged, I would not have faulted him a single bit if the work had been one tenth as good as it turned out to be. It speaks loads about his character as well as the craftsmanship of the tailors who work at Bill Kelso. I will be waiting for one of his reproductions of this Werber for sure, but I am also considering using his services in copying some other very interesting original jackets as well. In any case, I have posted pictures of the Werber here for your viewing. I will conclude by saying that Platon and Bill Kelso have earned 5 gold stars by me. I can't thank them enough!
