Field Notes No.9
Every month, I email out a progress update on our jackets. We also drop in inspiring articles, podcasts, videos, books, events and others. Click here to sign up and be the first to know when pre-orders for our limited edition jackets launch.
DELIVERING ON PROMISES
2021 started off with a bang. By the second week of January, everything was cooking on gas and by May, I had 4 size samples of the Lawrence in S, M, L & XL stitched up and (I thought) ready to go to build up a library of content and put plans in place to open up preorders in October. By July, I'd found out that the samples were all cut an inch too small across the chest.
What's fascinating (frustrating!) about creating a jacket that's designed to be a slim, structured fit but to still allow movement, is that there's no leeway. A measurement out on the chest means redesigning the armhole, the shoulders and the sleeves. Redesigning the armhole, shoulders and the sleeves means redesigning the fit of the lower back, redesigning the lower back means redesigning the shape of the front panels. So, 6 months on and as we close in on a year since I started the process of putting what I thought was the final sample set together, I'm part way through finishing up a new prototype with a new designer.
But of course, there's always a silver lining. That one mistake has given me the time to step back and do so much more. In fact, here's a highlights reel:
2021
1. Improved the fit and structure of the jacket
2. Sourced an even higher quality organic cotton gabardine
3. Sourced an environmentally responsible shower proof finish and tested application
4. Decided to add a quilted lining to increase the utility and heft of the jacket
5. Sourced a warm and responsibly sourced British wool insulation
6. Dialled in the concept for the lining artwork with Thomas at Last Maps - this process has been an absolute pleasure and I'll be sharing so much more over the next couple of months
7. Colour and size tested a number of production samples for the printed lining
8. Found a UK based production partner to manufacture the jackets
9. Took delivery of our laser etched corozo buttons
10. Got the Barnfield CG125 successfully through it's MOT
11. Recorded and released our first podcast with Conor O'Donnell
12. Connected with a ton of you through Instagram
13. Met some of you (but not enough of you!) in real life
2022
Sometimes it's not until you look back that you realise how much progress has been made. As Bill Gates says, 'Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years.'
2021 was a year of adaptation, progress and development.
2022 will be a year of growth and of delivering on promises.
Happy new year and thank you for being a part of the journey so far. I can't wait to make your jacket.
ABOUT ME
Earlier this year, I was interviewed for John Marsh's Creator Club podcast. It was a great opportunity to talk about my plans for Barnfield, what led me to create a clothing brand and why community is such an important part of the process.
MIKE BARRY
"Poppy, my youngest daughter spotted a sign, down a side road in the middle of the Cumbrian countryside with the beautiful words ‘motorcycle museum’ lovingly hand painted. A hire car has never stopped so hard." ~ Matt Wardle
CAN’T YOU JUST…RIGHT CLICK AND SAVE?
2021 will go down as the year that NFTs hit the mainstream...kind of.
Right now, simplifying things, there are two types of NFT that people are talking about. The first, like Daniel Arsham's Eroding and Reforming Digital Sculptures, are pieces of digital art that are certified as genuine on the blockchain. The value is in the artwork itself.
Yes, you can right click and save them (just like I've done to put it into this email) but just like taking a photo of the Mona Lisa doesn't mean you own it, the same goes for saving a copy of someone else's NFT to your computer.
The second type are based on utility. The best example of this is Gary Vaynerchuck's Vee Friends. Buying a Vee Friend NFT gives you access to varying benefits from a case of wine, to event access, to one on one consultation with Gary himself.
It's early days and there's still a long way to go before most NFT projects provide a level of value that matches the hype but for those that offer utility through ownership - I'm fully bought in.
START UP
Based on data from Google, more people searched for "How to start a business" than "How to get a job" this year. For so many reasons, there's never been a better time to take the leap.
CABALLERO
I've been skateboarding for over 30 years. It's amazing to see someone like Steve Caballero, a pro skater from my childhood, still skating now. In this vid he talks skateboarding and customising motorcycles.
