A new yoke for an old denim jacket

Written By Gledison Lopez

This jacket started with a decision: change the yoke, and let that one intervention carry the story.

I cut the original yoke away and began shaping a replacement from new 14 oz denim. Over it, I placed a richly beaded textile. It’s hand-stitched in position, and I’m still refining the shape around the neck and securing the edges.

I’m keeping the collar in denim. The beading already has plenty to say across the shoulders; carrying it onto the collar would make the intervention feel less focused.

The process is still underway. I need to finish the shaping and stitching before I can call the jacket complete. For now, these pictures show the fitting and the decisions along the way.

Raw Return — Bench Notes
Reclaimed garments, returned to the streets.

Photo captions

  • The jacket before the new yoke was fitted.

  • Testing the beaded textile across the shoulders.

  • Shaping the neckline on the form.

  • The yoke pinned in place; finishing still to come.

Gledison Lopez
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Redefine Success