You know those folks who turn their passion into their paycheck? In this story we’re diving behind the scenes at Rusty Stitches, introducing you to the unsung heroes who keep the wheels turning.
Name: Fennie
Age: 33
Job: Product Developer at Jopa in Enter
Hometown: Almelo
Ride: Benelli Leoncino
What does your job involve?
Among other things, I’m involved in product development for Rusty Stitches and Jopa MX, and I also take care of the graphic design and catalog for Jopa. The common thread? Designing clothing and moto gear.
This article originally appeared on motorrijders.nl and was written by Manon Oude Nijeweme.
Please note that this article includes images from the original publication.
It often starts with a question: there’s a need for a new piece of clothing, or there’s feedback on an existing product that needs improvement. Then we first dive into the collection: what do we already have, and what’s still missing? We also look at what the new item needs to meet in terms of technical specs and style.
After that, the creative process begins. I look for inspiration, create mood boards, and start sketching in Illustrator. I often work out several ideas, which I then discuss with the sales team. Once we’ve jointly chosen a direction, samples are made.
We test those samples extensively: trying them on, discussing them, taking a test ride. Based on that feedback, adjustments are made, and often one or two extra versions follow before we’re really satisfied. Such a trajectory – from idea to final product – can easily take one to two years.
So, it’s really a process of teamwork, creativity, and technical know-how. And it gives a kick when you finally see something in the store and you know: we made that together.
How it all started…
Fourteen years ago, my adventure in the motorcycle world actually started quite innocently — through an internship at Jopa. My parents were both avid motorcyclists and always rode in Jopa clothing. The logo, the colors, even my mother’s boots — those images are still etched in my memory.
I didn’t have my motorcycle license myself back then, but the desire to ride myself someday was there early on. When I saw at the job fair that Jopa had a vacancy, it felt like things had to come full circle. I immediately thought of those boots of my mother — sturdy, tough, and typically Jopa. It felt familiar.
And that’s how I rolled into it. What started as an internship grew into a passion. Now, 14 years later, I can’t imagine a better start than that memory of my mother’s motorcycle boots.
What’s my connection with motorcycles? Everything.
It all started in 2016, when I finally got my motorcycle license. My very first motorcycle? A Honda Hornet – my dream bike. Not just any choice, by the way; I was raised with Honda. My father rode Honda, so it was in me from an early age.
But five years ago, I had an accident – not life-threatening, but enough to make me think hard. The Hornet was repaired by my brother, and he did it with love and craftsmanship. Still… the trust was gone. The helmet went on the coat rack, the gloves in the drawer. Motorcycling? Not for a while.
Until, as it goes, the itch started again. Everywhere I went, I saw motorcycles again. And then, on a weekday, without saying anything to anyone, I just walked into a motorcycle shop. No plan, just looking. My eye fell on a Honda Rebel – that familiar name again. But unfortunately, it was too small for me. I briefly thought it wasn’t going to happen…
Until I was surprised with a Benelli Leoncino. Italian, tough, headstrong. I took it for a test ride – and that was it. Sold. Two weeks later, it was on my doorstep. Since then? Haven’t regretted it for a moment. The passion is back, stronger than ever. Sometimes you have to fall to feel how much you love something.
What skills do you need to do this job?
After my training as a stylist and a few years at the art academy, I knew: this is my world. Creative thinking, an eye for detail, and especially: clothing that tells a story.
I learned the basics of making clothes at school – drawing patterns, choosing fabrics, building silhouettes. But honestly? You only really learn the real skills on the job. That’s where you really start to understand how a garment is put together, from the first sketch to the last stitch.
Technical drawings? Yeah, you have to master those. It might sound boring, but it’s invaluable if you want to bring an idea to life. And there are courses, like the product training in Eindhoven, that help you with that. But for me, it was mainly: just doing it. Growing in the profession. Keep challenging myself, keep learning.
Why is my work so enjoyable?
Every day starts with the idea that I get to create something. Something real. Not just a product, but something that makes people happy – really happy. Whether it’s a new motorcycle jacket, a clever accessory, or a piece of rebranding that completely freshens up our look, everything contributes to one goal: making the motorcycle world a bit more beautiful and safer.
What makes it even better? No two days are the same. One day I’m deep in the details of a new product, the next we’re brainstorming with the whole team about a new campaign or design. And that team? Young, enthusiastic, and above all: just as addicted to motorcycles as I am.
We all share that same passion. For motorcycles, for innovation, and for the feeling of freedom that comes with it. The atmosphere at work is relaxed, but driven. We want to move forward, together. What makes my work so enjoyable? Everything, really.
What is your best work? What are you most proud of?
What I still consider something very beautiful is the yellow jacket I once designed for myself. It all started with a proposal at work, in which I placed this design and this color among the other ideas. To my surprise, it was well-received by everyone, and ultimately it received a lot of attention. It’s almost remarkable that a yellow jacket was so popular, because that’s a color that not everyone would quickly choose.
In addition, I’m also proud of a glove with a mask that I illustrated, full of bright colors. It’s always great to see people in the wild wearing clothes that I’ve designed. It really gives me a sense of satisfaction, knowing that I make things that make people happy and that they also want to wear themselves. Those moments of recognition, when you see something you came up with yourself, are really the best rewards for me.
