THE PERFECTO JACKET
birth of a legend
In 1928, when Irving Schott designed the first motorcycle jacket, no one could have predicted its lasting impact on the fashion industry and its incredible success with consumers of all stripes. Today, you don't have to be in a gang or ride a Harley-Davidson to wear black leather.
Irving's Cuban cigar, the Perfecto…
Whether he was negotiating costs, talking to his first salesmen or dealing with suppliers, Irving Schott always had his favorite Cuban cigar, the "Perfecto", in his mouth. Like Groucho Marx, Winston Churchill and George Burns, the cigar became his favorite accessory.
The Perfecto®, motorcycle jacket
The first motorcycle jacket was made for "Beck Distributors", Harley-Davidson distributors on Long Island, New York. It retailed for $5.50. Shortly thereafter, Irving Schott launched a line of motorcycle jackets under the brand name "Perfecto®". Since the early 1950s, only the "top" of Schott motorcycle jackets have carried the Perfecto® label.
In 1954, Marlon Brando
The Schott Perfecto® jacket appeared as a central accessory in the cult film "The Wild Ones", starring Marlon Brando and Lee Marvin. The jacket's ever-increasing appearance and growing popularity actually led to a decline in sales! The Perfecto® jacket was banned in many schools because it was often associated with thugs!
James Dean
In 1955, when James Dean - a symbol of teenage rebellion - died in a car accident, sales skyrocketed. His tragic death propelled the motorcycle jacket into fashion and reinvigorated Schott's sales.
Nowadays
Today, the Perfecto® jacket continues to be the centrepiece of the Schott range for men and women, which now includes over 150 warm products in a range of styles and leathers, from lamb to goat to horse. In 2018, the Perfecto® jacket celebrated its 90th birthday and has never looked younger!
The Perfecto® Jacket by Schott NYC
