A leather jacket is a jacket-length coat that is usually worn on top of other apparel or item of clothing, and made from the tanned hide of various animal skins. The leather material is typically dyed black, or various shades of brown, but a wide range of colors is possible. Leather jackets can be designed for many purposes, and specific styles have been associated with subcultures such as greasers, motorcyclists, and bikers, mobsters, military aviators (especially during and directly after World War II) and music subcultures (punks, goths, metalheads, rivetheads), who have worn the garment for protective or fashionable reasons, and occasionally to create a potentially intimidating appearance.
Most modern leather jackets are produced in Pakistan, India, Canada, Mexico and the United States, using hides left over from the meat industry. Fabrics simulating leather such as polyurethane or PVC are used as alternatives to authentic animal hide leather depending on the needs of the wearer such as those pursuing vegan lifestyles or for economic reasons as synthetic fibers tend to be less costly than authentic leather.
History
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Soviet tank commander Semyon Krivoshein wearing a black leather coat based on the reefer jacketIn the early 1900s, aviators and members of the military wore brown leather flight jackets. One of the first modern leather jackets, the type A1, was created by Chapal in 1925.[1] During the Second World War the garments became known as "bomber jackets" and were heavily insulated and prized for their warmth. The jacket was often part of an overall uniform ensemble meant to protect bomber pilots from exposure to the extreme climate conditions found at high altitudes and often incorporated sheepskin, using the intact fleece on the inside for warmth.
Russian Bolsheviks commonly wore leather jackets, which became a quasi-uniform for commissars during the Russian Civil War, and later for the members of the Cheka. Yakov Sverdlov allegedly initiated this practice.[2]
Material
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Antelope, buckskin, goatskin, sheepskin, horsehide and cowhide are the hides most commonly used to make leather jackets. As soon as the skin is removed from the animal at the meat processing plant, it is refrigerated, salted, or packed in barrels of brine. It is then sent to the tannery, where the skins undergo a series of processes designed to preserve and soften the hides. Sewing materials such as thread, lining, seam tape, buttons, snaps and zippers are generally bought from outside vendors and stored in the garment factory.
Popularity
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In the latter half of the 20th century, the leather jacket—in many forms—achieved iconic status and general acceptance through an inextricable[citation needed] link to Hollywood. Such jackets were popularized by numerous stars in the 1940s and 1950s, including actor Jimmy Stewart (who had actually commanded a U.S. bomber squadron during World War II) in the film Night Passage (1957).[3] The brown leather jacket has become a de rigueur part of the wardrobe for the Hollywood adventurer, from Gary Cooper in For Whom the Bell Tolls to Harrison Ford in the Indiana Jones film series.
A leather jacket could be used to shape a character, providing an important ingredient used to define the very essence of 'cool'. Prime examples include the Perfecto motorcycle jacket worn by Marlon Brando's Johnny Strabler in The Wild One (1953), Honor Blackman as Cathy Gale on The Avengers, David Hasselhoff as Michael Knight in Knight Rider and Michael Pare in Eddie and the Cruisers duo (1983 and 1989). All these served to popularize leather jackets among American youth from the "greaser subculture" of the 1950s and early 1960s. Later depictions of this subculture feature via The Fonz from the television series Happy Days, produced in the 1970s and 1980s, but set in the 1950s and 1960s (Fonzie's leather jacket is now housed in the Smithsonian Institution), and in the film duos Eddie and the Cruisers and Grease. Flight jackets, also (occasionally with fleece collars, as seen in the film Top Gun (1986), have remained fashionable for decades.
In the 1990s, a variety of leather jacket patterned after an eight ball, referred to as an eight-ball jacket, was briefly trendy. It occasionally resurfaces as a retro fashion item.[4]
Popular culture
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There are many more examples of iconic leather jackets worn in popular culture, such as the Schott Perfecto worn by the T-800 character of the Terminator films and the longer ¾ length trench coat style worn by action heroes such as Steven Seagal, by Wesley Snipes as Blade in the Blade films, by Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne as Neo and Morpheus in The Matrix films, or by Richard Gibson as Herr Otto Flick on the television sitcom 'Allo 'Allo! These jackets often become emblematic of their respective characters, symbolizing their personas and contributing to the visual identity of the film or show.
Safety gear
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There is a substantial difference between leather jackets made for fashion purposes, and those worn for protection, such as motorcycle personal protective equipment. Leather jackets designed for protective use are safety equipment and are heavier, thicker, and sometimes even equipped with armor, thus they are a practical item of clothing regardless of the symbolism invested in them by popular culture. A leather jacket primarily designed for fashion purposes would not be much protection in a motorcycle accident because of the jacket's flimsy construction. Motorcycle jackets often have more substantial zips, weatherproof pockets and closures, higher collars, and are styled to be longer at the back than the front to protect the kidneys of the riders from the cold while the rider is bent forward over the motorcycle.
References
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Manufacturers and factories in the apparel industry are spread all over the world. A clothing manufacturer's location is a key consideration for a designer. Multiple challenges can arise in terms of logistics as well as sourcing the right products at the right price.
In this article, we have put together a list of countries with the best clothing manufacturers. These countries boast robust textile mills, availability of low-cost labor, and rich history of textile exports.
Here are the top 10 countries with the leading cloth manufacturing companies globally:
China currently holds the top position among countries with the best cloth manufacturers. The country witnessed a renaissance during the 20th century as its textile industries proliferated.
As per a report by the GAC of China, the total export value of garment exports in 2021 closed at a whopping $170.3 billion.
China produces the finest quality raw materials and ready-made products. Low-cost production, modern industrial structure, and advanced machinery also play an important role in fuelling the textile industry's growth.
The following categories contribute majorly to the growth of China's textile industry:
Silk fabrics
Cotton fabrics
Chemical fabrics
Knitted and wool fabrics
Fiber
Textile machinery
Garments The Chinese Government also understands the contribution of exports to stimulate the domestic economy, which is a big reason why they're regularly investing in the industry's growth. Consequently, China's textile industry has been growing at a rapid rate.
With low labor costs and the availability of surplus labor, Bangladesh's clothing industry has grown its revenues from $19 billion to $34 billion in the last seven years. In addition to the above numbers, Bangladesh's garment exports have also grown to a whopping $3.366 billion in 2022.
This was in stark contrast to July 2021, when its readymade garment export value was estimated at $2.78 billion. Bangladesh is the second-largest textile exporter (for western fashion brands) that excels in fulfilling bulk orders.Buoyed by safe working conditions for workers and value chain responsibility, the readymade garments industry in Bangladesh is a significant contributor to its success.
Considered one of the top textile exporters countries in Southeast Asia, Vietnam has been renowned for being a high-quality garment manufacturing hub. Similar to Bangladesh, Vietnam's garment manufacturing prowess is down to two main factors:
The availability of cheap, yet skilled labor
Low production costs
Manufacturers from Vietnam mainly export to countries like the US, Japan, and South Korea. As per data published by Fibre2Fashion, garment exports in Vietnam stood at $32.750 billion, growing by 9.9% since 2020.The country has carved a niche of its own, with its production of fabrics and garment dyes being utilized by brands across the globe.
Among the oldest textile industries known to mankind, India is the fifth-largest textile hub in the world. India has an export value of a staggering $33 billion as of August 2022 and is also the second-largest producer of cotton.
With a large-scale supply of fabrics, India has successfully carved a niche for producing quality silk. Thanks to the adoption of technology, textile manufacturing in India has emerged as a force to reckon with.
Italy's apparel and textile export value was estimated to be around $22.35 billion as of 2020. Textile manufacturers in Italy are blessed with an abundance of natural fabrics. The linen, cotton, and silk sourced from Italy are demanded heavily across the world. If you're looking for clothing manufacturers placing style and technical excellence at the forefront, Italy is the place to be. With innovative designs coming out of Italy regularly, the country is sure to remain a popular textile manufacturing hub.
Turkey is among the fastest-growing cloth manufacturing hubs. It is a crucial cog in the global supply chain, being the seventh largest apparel exporter globally. In 2022, the ready-to-wear garments industry in Turkey made exports worth $8.8 billion in just five months from January to May. Home to production facilities of top European brands, Turkey has also become a popular choice owing to its proximity to the European market. Another big reason is the low cost of production associated with garment manufacturing in Turkey. With an export value to the tune of $6.8 billion during the first 6 months of 2022, Turkey boasts a strong textile manufacturing ecosystem.
Germany has a fast-growing fashion industry that employs over 120,000 people across the country. Even though its cloth manufacturing industry is small, the country exported garments to the tune of 127.6 billion euros in July 2022.Germany also has an export value of 34.75 billion euros, making it the fourth-largest textile exporter in the world.
Over the years, cloth manufacturers in Germany have carved a niche of their own. They export high-quality synthetic yarn, man-made fibers, and knitted clothing. Mostly consisting of small and medium-scale manufacturing units, Germany has strict standardization policies for every category.
The textile manufacturing and export industry is a key contributor to the US economy. American-made fibers and apparel shipments contribute $76 billion, making the US a key manufacturing hub.
Over the years, the US has emerged as a leading manufacturer of textiles, selling the following categories of products:
Raw material
Fabrics
Yarn
Domestic furnishings
Apparel The US is not only a fledgling textile manufacturing hub but also one of the leading countries when it comes to textile research and development. With large-scale technological investments, textile manufacturing has grown exponentially in the US.
The textile and clothing industry is an important part of the Indonesian economy. As of 2019, this industry accounts for 11% of the total manufacturing exports in the country owing to a skilled workforce. While foreign investment has driven textile manufacturing in Indonesia, the affordable wage and easy relocation make it easy for SMEs to set up shops. Although there have been challenges, the Indonesian Government is actively promoting the industry. Known for exporting high-quality cotton, Indonesia is steadily growing into a textile manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia.
The textile industry is the biggest contributor to manufacturing in Pakistan. Considered the eighth-largest textile exporter in Asia, Pakistan has over 45% of the population engaged in this industry. The country is the fourth-largest producer of cotton globally. It also boasts robust spinning machinery. Brands like Zara, H&M, Puma, and Nike have exclusive partnerships with various local textile mills in Pakistan. Currently, there are six main categories of textile production being undertaken in Pakistan. They are as follows:
Processing
Filament yarn production
Weaving
Spinning
Garment manufacturing
Textile printing
Apart from cotton, Pakistan's manufacturers also produce extensive quantities of filament yarn, synthetic fibers, wool, and artificial silk.
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