Photos of cool jackets owned by others (non-brand specific)

Blackadder · Aug 27, 2020

We are going round and round. I doubt Iron Heart ever got any permission from Levi's or Lee, yet I don't see people talking about Levi's or Lee getting ripped off. If you take a look at these earlier Westride's leather jackets, you can see the resemblance to Langlitz. These are made in USA and I doubt they were made under permission by Langlitz.
https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/f443268541
https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/l516275764
I wonder why Addict and FCL drew so much attention when you can get a copy of any jacket style from custom shops anywhere in the world.

Monitor · Aug 27, 2020

Blackadder said:
We are going round and round. I doubt Iron Heart ever got any permission from Levi's or Lee, yet I don't see people talking about Levi's or Lee getting ripped off. If you take a look at these earlier Westride's leather jackets, you can see the resemblance to Langlitz. These are made in USA and I doubt they were made under permission by Langlitz.
https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/f443268541
https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/l516275764
I wonder why Addict and FCL drew so much attention when you can get a copy of any jacket style from custom shops anywhere in the world.

Well, that's all true but Iron Heart actually had legal problems with Levi's but managed to settle things out. I think it was the back pocket design that pissed Levi's off & rightfully so. But Type-3 being so generic & made by thousands of makers all over the world, there's no way Levi's can do anything about it anymore, other than claim they came up with the original, which they have & it works.

Same with with Schott and FCL - Everyone's ripping off the Perfecto (let's ignore for a moment whether Schott came up with it or not) and FCL openly admits they're producing a copy of a 60's Schott so I'm sure they've reached some sort of a deal. It's a good advertisement for Schott just as well, I'd reckon.

However, Langlitz is a small time, family run business with a very small & very distinct line up of leather jackets. Copying a generic CHP is one thing but provided that no permission was given, knocking off LL Columbia down to the tiniest bit of decorative stitching is a completely different matter.

Problem is, FCL is being sold internationally while nobody ever heard of Westride (not even Google, it would appear) so yeah... Not sure how they plan on getting away with this one.

JMax · Aug 27, 2020

I understand there are many repros & copies out there, but perhaps put yourself in the shoes of one of the few makers with an original jacket/pattern. Just spitballing what Langlitz’s thoughts may be, not shooting darts at FCL, their stuff is beautiful.

red devil · Aug 27, 2020

FCL seems to be going all over the place when it comes to designs, did they do anything from the Lewis Leathers models?

I would be happy to go in East West Territorry... this area is under-represented

Monitor · Aug 27, 2020

red devil said:
FCL seems to be going all over the place when it comes to designs, did they do anything from the Lewis Leathers models?

Yeah, last year I think. Their entire MC line was straight up Lewis Leathers stuff.

Marc mndt · Aug 28, 2020

Monitor said:
Not sure how they plan on getting away with this one.

Clothing design can not be protected:
"In its simplest terms, trademark law protects against people trying to confuse customers into thinking they're buying something that they're not. Trademark law is not about prohibiting copied designs; it's about prohibiting copied “labels” that mislead consumers into believing a copied design is an original."

El Marro · Aug 28, 2020

John D Maccarter said:
Ummm yes. Level that back panel off to a straight line and were talking action!

+1. I have a ‘47 Columbia from Langlitz and I would trade it for the Fine Creek in a heartbeat.

HoosierDaddy · Aug 28, 2020

Jacket copying? Hell..just look at SB who copied Aero's patterns when they started their company. An ex-Aero traitor employee even snuck one of the SB founders into the Aero shop after hours to duplicate patterns and jackets. The ex employee/manager was actually arrested and served time for having his house full of stolen Aero jackets.

Downunder G Man · Aug 28, 2020

I really like two my Simmons Bilt jackets , both of them in Black goat.

And yes , they are "copies". One of the J100 café racer that damn near EVERYONE has "copied" from a 1960's pattern.

The other , Simmons Bilt call the Nebraska , is a copy of a late 50's /early 60's collared straight zip motorcycle jacket.

"There is nothing new under the sun" to coin a phrase.

For what it's worth I also have an Aero Highwayman , itself a "copy" of a 1930's USA work jacket I do believe.

Marc mndt · Aug 28, 2020

navetsea · Aug 28, 2020

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they even copied the downstitched kidney panel... lol... more than inspired by...

red devil · Aug 28, 2020

Monitor said:
Yeah, last year I think. Their entire MC line was straight up Lewis Leathers stuff.

Not too surprised, I think they are trying to keep momentum by going through all jacket designs. To be fair, the only makers that I can think of that are really making something new currently are Thedi and Electric Leather Studio.

Both LLs (Lewis Leather and Langlitz) have unique historical models, I don't think they came with any new development in the last year - please correct me if I am wrong?

That being said, I wonder if they got any backlash from Langlitz Japan - the manager seemed very serious and I would expect he wouldn't like this one bit.

Edit: By backlash, I mean some sort of public annoucement, etc. Don't think they have any legal recourse as discussed here

HoosierDaddy · Aug 28, 2020

There's quite a difference in copying original leather jacket older designs and stealing a companies patterns in the darkness of night with someone who was a criminal and still had a key....then reproducing practically every Aero jacket with detailed patterns only changing the particular styles name. Many of the members here were shocked and rightfully upset at the time that happened. That's how Alexander Leather (now SB) jump started their company. Now SB has added features to some of the Aero designs to help them appear more SB like. Nothing wrong with with the quality and construction of SB jackets...just a sorry way to underhandedly begin their business.

Mich486 · Aug 28, 2020

Never seen a Langlitz with such good looking leather though. Also while the design is a straight copy I don’t think anyone who goes through the Langlitz bespoke fitting process would be interested/satisfied in an OTR trim Japanese pattern. The strength of these Japanese makers isn’t the originality of the design.

Monitor · Aug 28, 2020

Downunder G Man said:
I really like two my Simmons Bilt jackets , both of them in Black goat.

And yes , they are "copies". One of the J100 café racer that damn near EVERYONE has "copied" from a 1960's pattern.

The other , Simmons Bilt call the Nebraska , is a copy of a late 50's /early 60's collared straight zip motorcycle jacket.

"There is nothing new under the sun" to coin a phrase.

For what it's worth I also have an Aero Highwayman , itself a "copy" of a 1930's USA work jacket I do believe.

What happened in the case of SB was that a former Aero employee stole the very patterns that Aero designed & used and the company then used these to create their jackets. It's not as simple as merely copying the details and the look of the garment. You have to come up with the patterns on how to cut & sew jackets for each size, etc. Each maker came up with a certain techniques that only they use so suddenly having another maker creating a carbon copies of your jackets cannot be a mere coincidence. That's what got SB in trouble. Among other things. Something that was established in court, if I'm not mistaken.

Aero was never a direct repro of any existing style but rather an inspired-by maker so most of their jackets are still to some degree distinct to a degree in cut, shape, pattern, etc. Same as Himel, LW, Thedi, etc. While this FC seems to be exactly that, a straight on copy.

What I said earlier, to me personally, Langlitz designs are very unique and easily recognizable even in the pile of a very similar looking police / MC styles. But I mean, I don't mind at all as FC was obviously going for a direct copy, probably out of appreciation and respect for the style & the company and I wouldn't be surprised if they really are as naive as that.

Good to have options, too. Langlitz leather is a bit... Well, let's just say it doesn't age in that particular way some people would prefer, which is where FC dominates with that hide they're using.

jonbuilder · Aug 28, 2020

El Marro said:
+1. I have a ‘47 Columbia from Langlitz and I would trade it for the Fine Creek in a heartbeat.

I would like to see your 47 Langlitz. That is the green label? I have a 50s white label Horsehide cascade no way would I trade for a Fine Creek

El Marro · Aug 28, 2020

jonbuilder said:
I would like to see your 47 Langlitz. That is the green label? I have a 50s white label Horsehide cascade no way would I trade for a Fine Creek

Jon,
I should’ve spoken more clearly. I have a jacket that Langlitz built for me in 2017 that is a repro of the 1947 Columbia. Indeed if I had the real thing I doubt I would trade it for anything at all, although I might consider one of your Star Gloves!

JMax · Aug 28, 2020

jonbuilder said:
I would like to see your 47 Langlitz. That is the green label? I have a 50s white label Horsehide cascade no way would I trade for a Fine Creek

Langlitz will special order the 47. But yes, the original came with the exceedingly rare green label/speedway togs. If el Marro has a green label, he’s been holding out on us.

JMax · Aug 28, 2020

El Marro said:
Jon,
I should’ve spoken more clearly. I have a jacket that Langlitz built for me in 2017 that is a repro of the 1947 Columbia. Indeed if I had the real thing I doubt I would trade it for anything at all, although I might consider one of your Star Gloves!

Ive always been interested in this jacket. How do you like it?

Monitor · Aug 28, 2020

El Marro said:
+1. I have a ‘47 Columbia from Langlitz and I would trade it for the Fine Creek in a heartbeat.

Ditto.

Photos of cool jackets owned by others (non-brand specific)

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