Germiston entrepreneur turns passion into leather jacket business

Damon Brett started his journey with no background in tailoring or fashion.

With grit, curiosity, and a determination to build something of value, he taught himself how to craft leather jackets using YouTube tutorials and trial-and-error.

“I knew absolutely nothing about fashion or tailoring when we started. Zero,” said Damon.

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Originally from Springs, Damon moved to Bezuidenhout Valley at the age of 13 and later attended King Edward VII School.

Currently a Germiston resident, his entry into business came through an unexpected path, one that began with cage fighting.

“I was involved in mixed martial arts, and the gym owner took me under his wing. He also ran a security company, and when things started going downhill at the restaurant I was working at, he gave me a job,” Damon explained.

That business relationship eventually evolved into a partnership, and the concept behind their leather jacket venture was born.

The idea was sparked by a gap in the market: bikers were buying their leather gear from flea markets.

“It was a very niche market. We wanted to start something local that wasn’t being imported and wasn’t mass-produced. We saw an opportunity to diversify and offer something tailored to our market,” he said.

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From that point, Damon and his business partner began developing a product line that started with aviator jackets, inspired by the classic Top Gun look, and slowly expanded into bags, golf items, and lifestyle apparel.

“We grew through trial and error and customer feedback. People would come to our market stalls and ask, ‘Can you do this?’ or ‘Can you make that?’ and that’s how we evolved.”

His journey into the technical side of jacket-making was self-taught and hands-on.

“For the first two years, we had someone manufacturing for us. Eventually, we bought them out and employed their seamstresses, who had decades of experience,” he said.

“But when it came to the intricate tailoring and design, I learned as I went, watching tutorials online, testing seams and pleats, and then training our team.”

Each product goes through a strict quality control process, including multiple sign-offs to ensure consistent standards.

From the beginning, Damon and his team committed to sourcing materials locally, a decision that was both practical and philosophical.

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“All our leather, trims, linings, and zips are sourced in South Africa. There’s only one supplier who brings in leather from Italy, and that’s just to cater to specific customer requests,” he explained.

The decision to “keep it local” was about more than just cost. It was about building something that supported the local economy.
“We could’ve imported everything and sold off-the-rack items.

“But we chose to build a workshop, train people, and contribute to South African manufacturing. That choice created jobs and that matters.”

The road hasn’t been without its challenges.

“We made the error of expanding too fast. We opened branches just before Covid-19, and they didn’t survive. We’ve since learnt to grow at a sustainable pace, not to over-capitalise, and to listen to what the market is telling us.”

Today, the team also offers repair work, alterations, and customisation, a way of serving more people and giving new life to old garments.

“Everything is still made by hand. Every item is cut, stitched, and cleaned manually. We even do re-dyeing and resizing for people who bring in older jackets.”

With youth unemployment at an all-time high, Damon believes the entrepreneurial spirit is vital, even if the road is difficult.

“Starting a business with no capital is incredibly hard. But there are ways to begin. For example, take someone’s catalogue, like ours and approach companies to sell on commission. You won’t get rich overnight, but it’s a start.”

His key advice: “Don’t over-invest upfront. Grow slowly and organically. Let your work speak for itself.”

He is passionate about the importance of backing South African-made products.

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“Buying local boosts our economy, supports jobs, and keeps money circulating in the country. Our manufacturing sector might not yet match Europe in every way, but we’re catching up, and our craftsmanship is often underrated.”

For him, it’s not about mass production or chasing trends. It’s about building something with purpose.

“We’re staying niche, staying high-end. Hopefully, one day, Old School will be a household name. But we’ll get there our way.”

He added, “None of this would’ve been possible without the women behind the scenes, our seamstresses. Their skill and dedication are the heart of everything we do.”