The double rider jacket design was perfected.
1923 | NEW YORK, USA | Arvin Schott / Jack Schott
Schott began in 1913 in New York as a raincoat factory run by brothers Irving and Jack Schott.
In 1923, Perfecto released the world's first motorcycle jacket with a zipper on the front, and became a popular leather brand. Incidentally, the name is said to have been taken from the name of the Cuban cigar that the Schott brothers were fond of.
Around 1930, they supplied leather bomber jackets to the Army Air Corps and pea coats to the Navy. They also expanded their sales channels by producing a variety of items, including selling them at Harley-Davidson retail stores.
The Schott brand was solidified by the success of the One Star model, which featured star-shaped studs on the epaulets. This masterpiece perfected the double-breasted biker jacket style and is said to be the model worn by Marlon Brando in the movie "The Wild One," leading to a surge in popularity. However, at the time, it became a social issue due to concerns that it would encourage delinquency among young people, and in some areas, wearing biker jackets in schools was prohibited.
Furthermore, in the 1969 film "Easy Rider," Peter Fonda wore a striped single rider jacket, and in the late 1970s, punk icon Sid Vicious favored the 613 model, while members of the Ramones wore One Stars, demonstrating the brand's consistently close relationship with culture.
The leather used in the basic models to this day is thick cowhide, the kind that truly defines a leather jacket. It's ideal for a snug fit, but in recent years, models made from lambskin and other materials have also been released.
Even after more than 100 years since its founding, Schott's factory is still located near Newark International Airport, the gateway to New York City. Their motorcycle jacket production is based on a division of labor system, with specialized craftsmen handling everything from leather tanning to cutting and sewing. While many brands have moved their production bases overseas, Schott remains one of the few brands that continues to insist on being "MADE IN AMERICA."