A visit to leather jacket heaven in Thessaloniki - Thedi Leathers!

[Jin431]

I have been looking forward to meeting Theodoros for a long time but unfortunately due to Covid we had to postpone our trip to Thessaloniki a couple of times. Last week I finally had the opportunity to enter 'leather jacket heaven' as @red devil rightfully coined it.

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The sweet smell of vegetable tanned leathers welcomes you into the store from the doorstep. The shop (that used to house the old workshop where the jackets were made) is foremost an 'experience store' because most of the jackets are display samples which are not for sale.

I knew that I would become overwhelmed by all the awesome jackets and that I would probably not be able to make rational spending decisions. Therefore I prepared a shortlist with jacket styles that would be good additions to my collection and set a limit for myself at two new jackets, three at most .

Most of the display pieces were in size M or L, some S. I quickly learned that those labels don't mean anything. Lucky for me most of them were a reasonable fit so I was able to try on different styles.

First up was the cossack with W collar. I love how it looks on @Mandarin @Maxwell Von Chesapeake and @Mrfrown . Wanting something slightly different, I imagined one for myself in hand dyed teacore black horsehide.

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They had three of these on hand, one in a green cowhide / goat suede combination, two in cowhide / canvas. One was a pre production sample that was used for trade shows, the other two are featured on their website.

When I tried on one of them, I didn't even have to take a look into the mirror to know it was a perfect fit. Theodoros and my girlfriend agreed so I said ok I'll take this one in black horsehide. Then there was silence lol. I looked at my girlfriend, she was shaking her head. Theodoros gave me a frown of disapproval lol. He said "Why in black, this one is perfect. I'll sell you this one". Who am I to argue with Theodoros

Next up was a mc jacket style that has been on my radar since Theodoros posted a pic of the jacket on his instagram more than a year ago. Unfortunately he didn't have the jacket on hand but Petros, Theodoros son in law who also came to the store for the occasion, was kind enough to go and pick it up from their workshop which is located just outside the city center.

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When we discussed different leathers and finishing options, Theodoros also showed me a couple of black Shinki swatches. I know (some) jackets enthousiast see Shinki leather as the best of the best. Surely, Shinki offers nice leathers, but next to all the beautiful hand finished and hand dyed leathers from French and Italian tanneries that Thedi offers, Shinki looks kind of dull. Theodoros has been working in the industry for decades. His personal contacts from the tanneries know exactly what he likes and offer him the best hides they have to offer. This is something Theodoros is very proud of, yet on Thedi's website they just call it 'black Italian horsehide' or 'UK domestic sheepskin'. Anyway, I don't think any description can describe how nice they really are, these leathers should be experienced in the flesh.

View attachment 366195

This is Theodoros showing my custom order for the mc jacket, which will be in hand finished black Italian hh with brass hardware and a russet mouton collar. While Theodoros and I discussed all the options for leathers sizing and design, Alexandra (his lovely daughter) wrote everything down and made sure all details were well thought out: "Are you sure you want this snap here, it might feel uncomfortable while wearing the jacket without the collar".

Although the jackets come with a size tag, they don't mean much because for every custom order a custom pattern is made to perfectly fit the customer. Theodoros explained to me how pattern making takes up most of production time. "Sewing is easy" he told me lol.

I can't wait for this jacket to be ready. I have a feeling this custom 50s style mc jacket is going to be the pinnacle of my collection.



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^^This one might be a future order. I tried it on and it was absolutely awesome. Theodoros told me he recently made this jacket in dark brown horsehide for a guy from Australia, his name was Nick @nickv . Theodoros really knows his customers. He and his team / family are awesome. If you ever have the chance to visit them, you should. It's a must do experience for every leather jacket enthousiast.

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thanks for sharing, looks like you had a wonderful time. Again congratulations on your new jackets. that vest though that Theodoros is wearing looks so cool, I'd like to have that one lol

 

[Marc mndt]

thanks for sharing, looks like you had a wonderful time. Again congratulations on your new jackets. that vest though that Theodoros is wearing looks so cool, I'd like to have that one lol

He told me he makes a lot of his clothing himself. He showed me a couple of pants, one full leather and one canvas/leather combination, which he made for himself. Hand dyed, hand finished etc. True works of art. He also showed me a jacket he's currently working on for himself. Belstaff trailmaster style, made out of beautiful Japanese waxy canvas with leather trimmings.

 

[Rich22]

You guys really make me want to go...

A quick look on Skyscanner says flights are only £26 return, which is less than I could get to the airport for!

 

[jonesy86]

This model, right?

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He is making this jacket without shearling:

With this leather thinned a bit:

 

[Jin431]

He told me he makes a lot of his clothing himself. He showed me a couple of pants, one full leather and one canvas/leather combination, which he made for himself. Hand dyed, hand finished etc. True works of art. He also showed me a jacket he's currently working on for himself. Belstaff trailmaster style, made out of beautiful Japanese waxy canvas with leather trimmings.

what a skilled artisan he is, thats so cool to just whip something up just because you have the know how to do so. that one off is something to watch out for in the Thedinfeed

 

[navetsea]

I have been looking forward to meeting Theodoros for a long time but unfortunately due to Covid we had to postpone our trip to Thessaloniki a couple of times. Last week I finally had the opportunity to enter 'leather jacket heaven' as @red devil rightfully coined it.

View attachment 366200 View attachment 366202
View attachment 366203

The sweet smell of vegetable tanned leathers welcomes you into the store from the doorstep. The shop (that used to house the old workshop where the jackets were made) is foremost an 'experience store' because most of the jackets are display samples which are not for sale.

I knew that I would become overwhelmed by all the awesome jackets and that I would probably not be able to make rational spending decisions. Therefore I prepared a shortlist with jacket styles that would be good additions to my collection and set a limit for myself at two new jackets, three at most .

Most of the display pieces were in size M or L, some S. I quickly learned that those labels don't mean anything. Lucky for me most of them were a reasonable fit so I was able to try on different styles.

First up was the cossack with W collar. I love how it looks on @Mandarin @Maxwell Von Chesapeake and @Mrfrown . Wanting something slightly different, I imagined one for myself in hand dyed teacore black horsehide.

View attachment 366197 View attachment 366199 View attachment 366196

They had three of these on hand, one in a green cowhide / goat suede combination, two in cowhide / canvas. One was a pre production sample that was used for trade shows, the other two are featured on their website.

When I tried on one of them, I didn't even have to take a look into the mirror to know it was a perfect fit. Theodoros and my girlfriend agreed so I said ok I'll take this one in black horsehide. Then there was silence lol. I looked at my girlfriend, she was shaking her head. Theodoros gave me a frown of disapproval lol. He said "Why in black, this one is perfect. I'll sell you this one". Who am I to argue with Theodoros

Next up was a mc jacket style that has been on my radar since Theodoros posted a pic of the jacket on his instagram more than a year ago. Unfortunately he didn't have the jacket on hand but Petros, Theodoros son in law who also came to the store for the occasion, was kind enough to go and pick it up from their workshop which is located just outside the city center.

View attachment 366198

When we discussed different leathers and finishing options, Theodoros also showed me a couple of black Shinki swatches. I know (some) jackets enthousiast see Shinki leather as the best of the best. Surely, Shinki offers nice leathers, but next to all the beautiful hand finished and hand dyed leathers from French and Italian tanneries that Thedi offers, Shinki looks kind of dull. Theodoros has been working in the industry for decades. His personal contacts from the tanneries know exactly what he likes and offer him the best hides they have to offer. This is something Theodoros is very proud of, yet on Thedi's website they just call it 'black Italian horsehide' or 'UK domestic sheepskin'. Anyway, I don't think any description can describe how nice they really are, these leathers should be experienced in the flesh.

View attachment 366195

This is Theodoros showing my custom order for the mc jacket, which will be in hand finished black Italian hh with brass hardware and a russet mouton collar. While Theodoros and I discussed all the options for leathers sizing and design, Alexandra (his lovely daughter) wrote everything down and made sure all details were well thought out: "Are you sure you want this snap here, it might feel uncomfortable while wearing the jacket without the collar".

Although the jackets come with a size tag, they don't mean much because for every custom order a custom pattern is made to perfectly fit the customer. Theodoros explained to me how pattern making takes up most of production time. "Sewing is easy" he told me lol.

I can't wait for this jacket to be ready. I have a feeling this custom 50s style mc jacket is going to be the pinnacle of my collection.



View attachment 366204

^^This one might be a future order. I tried it on and it was absolutely awesome. Theodoros told me he recently made this jacket in dark brown horsehide for a guy from Australia, his name was Nick @nickv . Theodoros really knows his customers. He and his team / family are awesome. If you ever have the chance to visit them, you should. It's a must do experience for every leather jacket enthousiast.

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thanks for the excellent post, and pictures, and congrats for your new jacket!!! the place seems like will naturally aging jackets too with exposed wall and rustic interior

one question always comes to my mind whenever I see picture of his shop...is that front door underscaled?

 

[Marc mndt]

the place seems like will naturally aging jackets too with exposed wall and rustic interior

It's funny, in the past few years I've visited several multi brand stores / stockists that sold Thedis Eastmans and Aeros. Some of them kept the jackets in plastic dustbags, at one store I was asked to be careful not to scratch the jacket when trying it on. Not at Thedi Leathers. Theodoros just let me do my thing, trying on every jacket in the store without having to baby them. Difference of course being that the jackets at the Thedi shop are all samples.

one question always comes to my mind whenever I see picture of his shop...is that front door underscaled?

The store is below ground, it's in a basement. Looking at the entrance I can imagine that at some point that door was just another window, and that they deepened the window / doorstep in order to make it an entrance.

 

[Robbie79]

He is making this jacket without shearling:

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With this leather thinned a bit:

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@jonesy86 Good jacket and leather choice and I hope you are having a great time in Greece...Greece is just beautiful, especially Island hopping and of course visiting Thedi

 

[TheDonEffect]

Congrats!

 

[jonesy86]

They are closed on Mondays, and my jacket isn’t ready, but I am.

 

[Marc mndt]

View attachment 366409 They are closed on Mondays, and my jacket isn’t ready, but I am.

Oh no what a bummer. Will you be staying a couple more day in Thessaloniki?

Meanwhile you might want to check out the 'Tenoro' bar. Just a few minutes walking from Thedi. They serve great cocktails

 

[ton312]

View attachment 366409 They are closed on Mondays, and my jacket isn’t ready, but I am.

When you do go in, watch your head!

 

[Rich22]

Everyone looks 7 foot tall when posing in front of that door!

 

[jonesy86]

Oh no what a bummer. Will you be staying a couple more day in Thessaloniki?

Meanwhile you might want to check out the 'Tenoro' bar. Just a few minutes walking from Thedi. They serve great cocktails

It’s all good, I’m here a few days and Theodoros said the jacket will be done this afternoon, or tomorrow. I hope to pick it up at noon, and wear it on the plane home.

 

[nickv]

This one might be a future order. I tried it on and it was absolutely awesome. Theodoros told me he recently made this jacket in dark brown horsehide for a guy from Australia, his name was Nick @nickv . Theodoros really knows his customers. He and his team / family are awesome. If you ever have the chance to visit them, you should. It's a must do experience for every leather jacket enthousiast.

What an awsome experience Marc! Great write up on your visit. Yes, that was my jacket in brown horshide he made. The jacket you are wearing in the photo with Theodoros, is exactly like my second one on order i am waiting on, black cowhide with russet collar. Looking good on you.

 

[AeroFan_07]

View attachment 366409 They are closed on Mondays, and my jacket isn’t ready, but I am.

Really jelious of you Jonesy - can't wait to get there myself one day.

Just have to say, this is likely the first picture I've seen of Jonsey without a leather jacket on -- when he is not also wearing a swimsuit by the beach! Perhaps you are going through a bit of withdrawal not being that close to the ocean?

In any case, enjoy your time in Greece - and especially at Thedi's!

 

[Filos]

Amazing experience as well there for me last summer. I bought this jacket in an amazing deer skin. It came off the rack, but Theodoros did some secret magic and customized it some before I came back a few days later to pick it up. I use it as a daily motorcycle jacket and it literally fits me as a glove now.

 

[handymike]

Jonesy, dem slippah give you blistah bro!
Maybe pick up a pair from Theo to match the jacket.

I’m so jealous of you guys.

 

[Jin431]

It’s all good, I’m here a few days and Theodoros said the jacket will be done this afternoon, or tomorrow. I hope to pick it up at noon, and wear it on the plane home.

wow that's awesome, visiting the shop in person does have its perks. glad they expedited making your jacket and you get to bring it home with you on the way back to HI. enjoy the rest of your trip good sir

 

[Robbie79]

Amazing experience as well there for me last summer. I bought this jacket in an amazing deer skin. It came off the rack, but Theodoros did some secret magic and customized it some before I came back a few days later to pick it up. I use it as a daily motorcycle jacket and it literally fits me as a glove now.

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@Filos Congrats (with some delay). Beautiful jacket and perfect fit. You are looking happy with your deerskin jacket. His deerskin feels totally different compared to other deerskin jackets offered by other makers.