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DEFINITELY DIFFERENT LEATHERWORKS
CALGARY ALBERTA CANADA
403 271-0066 AL SWANKY
| ART , DRAFTING and PLAYING in a Heavy
Metal rock band in the early 80`s was the inspiration for the start
of AL SWANKY doing custom leatherwork. After viewing a video the
band I was playing in had done, we realized one major problem. We
looked like a jeans and T-shirt type band , when in fact we needed
to look like Metal God warriors preparing for the ultimate battle.
So on June 13, |
1983 , I cashed my one and only unemployment
cheque and went to a local leather retailer with $183.50 CDN. We
started to install studs and rivets into everything leather we could
get our hands on. Before long ,we had to book ourselves , we looked
so radical , we couldn`t even get an agent ! After outfitting my
own various bands for 2-3 years I now was also doing a lot of work
with local and international Rock & Metal acts making complete
stage costumes and accessories, even some country bands got into
it. Every one knew that an entertainer had to look good on stage
. It also made for a good attitude adjustment , for the good , the
bad or the ugly !!! I found there were many bands out there that
I had
done work for , and one day a chance meeting |
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between myself, a musician and his exotic
dancer girlfriend ,led to an "Oh I`ll take that, that, that
and these. This one lady led to a major swing from bands to exclusively
the Exotic Entertainment Industry (female dancers)by 1986., From
1985 to 1989 , I hosted a local T.V. Show called METAL MANIACS.
The show was designed to feature original Rock and Metal bands
in a setting that many a player can never get to see. Playing in
front of 500 people in a real , big time room.
I ran every Battle of the Bands in town from 85`to 89` , with METAL
MANIACS as a major sponsor. As the shows host, director and
organizer , the show got the attention of all the major record companies
and we saw that a lot of promo product, concerts, interviews, autograph
signings and tour jacket were being used. That led to a lot of work
for not only the recording industry but also the people who watched
the T.V. Show on a weekly basis.
DEFINITELY DIFFERENT LEATHERWORKS opened up it`s first retail
location April 1 , 1988. Still dealing 85% with dancers and entertainers,
the shop shocked alot of the public that had never seen such outrageous
clothes and accessories. Now I am dealing with a larger market in
the general public. Tastes and sizes we a radical departure from
what I was used to but never saying no to a request , I custom built
almost anything leather for every one from Humans, Bikers, Animals
& Entertainers now. |
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My wife Michele and I , started going
with a mobile leather shop to motorcycle rallys in 1990`
From local bike rallys to across Canada adventures , these added
a whole different flavor of what was to come. We saw some cool places
, met great people and found the complete understanding of the I
WANT side of business. Many of my customers ride stock , off the
showroom floor motorcycles to the wildest radical customs . Dealing
with HARLEY-DAVIDSON , SUZUKI , HONDA , KAWASAKI , YAMAHA, BMW
and so many more in the CRUISER bike, ROAD RACE bike
and DRAG RACING bike styles , Absolutely anything possible
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If it can be thought of , it can be made.....
Leather lasts ......
Motorcycles are 85% of my every day @ DEFINITELY DIFFERENT
LEATHERWORKS
PRODUCTS MADE IN 100% REAL LEATHER . EVERY PIECE MADE IS CUT
FROM A HIDE.
( Cow , pig , lamb , snake , deer/moose , suede , ostrich , kangaroo
, buffalo , fish , foil finishes etc...) COMPANY LOGOS CUSTOM
DESIGNED BELTS HEAT FOIL / GOLD LEAF EMBOSSING
MOTORCYCLE PRODUCTS and ACCESSORIES
ROAD RACE SUIT SPONSOR DECALING RODEO & SHOW CHAPS ENTERTAINERS
COSTUMES & ACCESSORIES PET COLLARS and LEADS MUSICAL INSTRUMENT
STRAPS and HOLDERS
NOVELTY ITEMS & GIFTS
NYLON WEBBING WORK
CUSTOM EMBROIDERY on leather
* REPAIRS , ALTERATIONS & CUSTOMIZING to virtually anything
leather .
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* we carry a full line of BUCKLES ( nickel or
brass )from 1/4" to 4" , D-RINGS , O-RINGS , SQUARE
RINGS , CLIPS and CLASPS , SNAPS ( 12 colors ) , FASTENERS , PLASTIC
CLIP SETS (and keepers ) , SPIKES (1/2",1", 1 1/4"rivet
&screw), STUDS ( 20 shapes ), KEY RINGS ( 4 sizes ), BOOK
CORNERS , RIVETS ( 8 sizes, 4 colors) , www.canadiancustomleather.com
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PROUD
CANADIAN KEY RING
only $5. includes shipping
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