Belstaff
From as far back as the 1930's Belstaff has been a popular choice with famous names like Sammy Miller and Phil Read who wore it to compete in Grand Prix races. Most famously, Ernest Che Guevara wore one on his crossing of Latin America and more recently names like George Clooney, Leonardo Di Caprio and Will Smith have worn Belstaff on and off the big screen.
The Belstaff brand was born in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire in 1924 and from the very beginning has been creating history by producing iconic jackets. (They were accredited to manufacturing the very first ‘totally waterproof’ yet breathable fabric; the ‘waxed cotton’.)
Over generations Belstaff became specialised in making windproof, rainproof fabrics and fabrics that were resistant to heavy friction and wear. They also developed their range to include goggles, gloves, boots, helmets and bags making a well rounded story for outdoor activities.
In 2004 Belstaff was taken over by an Italian clothing company who thankfully retained the love and respect for traditional manufacturing processes. The brand today means many things to different people; too many it is still an iconic heritage brand that is well made; to others it as a fashion brand that continues to push its historical routes.