Here’s how I approached the photo panel revisions (v1 described here).

The v1 design had a hidden flap attached only from the top. In the v2 design, each side conceals a hidden rectangular chest panel, and these panels close from the top and bottom with zippers. The sides are closed either with a zipper (left sketch below) or, more likely with two snap buttons (right sketch).

The panels flip outward to reveal the photos hidden within:

Think something similar to the below jacket that Acronym designed for Burton, back when, to my understanding, Acronym was more of a consultancy than a brand of its own.

@ndwc0shop For Sale – Burton Analog x Hiroshi Fujiwara x Acronym ‘Q’ Jacket 2001 The primary standout attribute of this piece is its extensive array of chest pockets, each exhibiting distinct sizes and shapes that facilitate diverse storage options. These pockets boast a versatile operational design, with the capability to be discreetly concealed or promptly revealed by means of a specialized flap mechanism, which can be secured either through a zip closure or by ingeniously tucking it underneath the pocket area, employing a robust magnet system for steadfast fixation. Furthermore, the jacket boasts a meticulously engineered multi-ventilation system, incorporating strategically positioned pit-zippers and side zippers featuring perforations, thereby granting the wearer precise control over the airflow, allowing for optimal thermal regulation and breathability. The jacket’s unparalleled quality is indisputable, as evidenced by the magnetic components’ enduring strength, even after prolonged use exceeding two decades, which serves as a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship and profound research invested in its design. Acquiring this legendary grail undoubtedly marks an exceptional opportunity not to be overlooked. #burton #burtonsnowboard #analog #acronym #errolsonhugh #electriccottage ♬ original sound – NDWC0Shop

In the Acronym jacket, the panels are pretty in-your-face. I’m going for something subtler.

Here’s my sketch, plus some annotations:

The placket covering the main zipper naturally conceals the side of one panel, and then a second partial placket is added to conceal the panel on the other side.

I stole the ‘two placket’ design from this jacket (vintage C.P. Company Urban Protection, designed by Moreno Ferrari around the turn of the century).

(I have one of these, which has been useful as a physical reference. Photo is not mine)

Once I nailed down the design ideas, I spent some time implementing the concept in CLO. I wound up with this.

(Not everything is fully incorporated into the mockup. For example, there are a few places where I would put snap buttons in real life, but I’ve just sewn shut in the mockup.

Or, for example, at the top and bottom of each photo panel, I’d need to attach little strips of fabric for half the zipper to attach to. But I haven’t done that in CLO.)

In a heavy black cotton canvas, the simulation looks like this. I think the appearance is pretty subtle:

I’m not completely sold on the horizontal flaps. They make the design feel less minimal. And yet, if I were to remove them, the design would feel even less minimal, because you would be able to see the top zipper of the photo panel. Not sure if there is a better solution here… Let me know if you have any opinions or ideas.

The bottom seams of each panel will need to have a visible zipper, but I haven’t incorporated this into the mockups either, mostly because I couldn’t figure out how to do so in CLO.

I’m currently undecided about how obvious to make this zipper.

  • I could use a subtle zipper like the Aquaguard. Downside is, it’s hard to unzip. But it has a nice subtle sheen and is water-resistant. Acronym uses this on most jackets, and Veilance used it on some too.
Veilance Monitor Down TW (twill), I wore mine to work today

  • Alternatively, I could use a super flashy zipper like the nickel YKK excella, to make it clear that there’s something interesting going on around the chest area of the jacket. I also think it’d be cool to use another non-functional silver zipper that goes around most of the circumference toward the bottom, like the black Helmut Lang astro biker jacket:
I might also add an additional zipper on mine to copy the detail of the zip here being (a) only half a zipper and therefore here just for visual effect, (b) going around the entire circumference of the jacket

Boom, we designed a v2 version of the photo panels. Next, I’ll talk about how I’ve been using git and GitHub for version control of my CLO files.