Vintage French Chore Jacket with Visible Mending by Woo Ahearne







Vintage French Chore Jacket with Visible Mending by Woo Ahearne
A remarkable one-of-a-kind vintage French chore jacket, artfully restored by textile artist Woo Ahearne using slow stitch techniques, antique patchwork, and hand-darned repairs. Made in France and likely dating from the 1940s–50s, the original faded blue cotton has softened over time, blending hues from denim blue to slate.
No maker’s label remains, though the classic cut and construction suggest it may have once been a Lafont. One internal pocket is intact. The original buttons have been replaced with tonal vintage ones. Scattered marks on the sleeves reflect its working past, though the fabric remains strong and wearable.
Woo has hand-applied layers of antique fabric fragments, stitched in a meditative rhythm using sashiko-inspired mending, creating a rich surface of history and texture. Each patch has been chosen for visual harmony and story. This is not simply a garment, it’s a stitched narrative.
Fit:
Shoulders: 19 inches
Chest (pit to pit): 44 inches
Length: 29 inches
Sleeve length: 23 inches
Care Instructions:
Machine wash cold, hang to dry. Wash with like colours. Dry clean if preferred, though not necessary.