Schott NYC
The story of Schott NYC manufactory company starts back in 1913 when two brothers, sons of a Russian immigrant, went after their piece of the American Dream.
Irving and Jack Schott started making raincoats in a basement on the lower east side of Manhattan and started selling them door to door.
The leather jackets branded with the name of their favourite cigars, The Perfecto, were made out of horsehide, had a belted front, D-pocket, flap change pocket, zippered sleeve cuffs and shoulder epaulettes. This classic motorcycle jacket was a “double riders jacket” design meaning that one part of the front zipper was located a couple of inches inwards. When zipped-up, this created a seal that prevented air from passing through while riding a motorcycle.
Retailing for $5.50 at a Long Island Harley Davidson distributor, the Perfecto was durable, rugged, and immediately embraced. To the new generation of "bikers", the Perfecto became a symbol of excitement, adventure and danger that fueled their fascination with motorcycles.
During WWII, the Schott brothers commissioned by the US air-force began producing "bomber jackets" for aviators and the famous "naval pea coat" for soldiers on deck. These leather and wool jackets would be produced by Schott for the US Military for the next 60 years.
After the war, thanks to the cult movie ‘The wild One’ (1954), with Marlon Brando wearing a Schott Perfecto, the brand acquired what would have made it iconic and recognized worldwide. Surprisingly, the subsequent spike in the Perfecto’s popularity resulted in decreased sales, as jackets were banned by school systems around the country for symbolizing the hoodlum image within the teen demographic. However, this decline did not last long; just a year later, the Perfecto was catapulted to the height of its popularity when love for speed ended the life of the quintessential hoodlum.
Ever since the popularity of the brand never decreased.
During the 70s and 80s, the brand was synonymous with the underground and punk movements, and the Schott jackets were worn by the most influential icons, The Ramones, Blondie, Joan Jett, Elvis and the Sex Pistol to name just a few.
In 2013 Schott NYC celebrated its 100th anniversary and it is still owned and run by the Schott family, who still manufactures most of their clothing in the United States.
ICONIC.
