Leather can be used in both a classic and a modern way. There are so many different paths to explore that go beyond the first degree of the biker jacket…
words by JULIA VON BOEHM • edited by DIANDRA BARSALOU MITCHELL • Shop The Story • Fashion
Sophisticated Leather: The JVB style take on this season’s best leather.
Every now and then there are wonderful new garments that reinterpret the classics with a twist, yet will still remain timeless. A talented designer has the ability to combine staples with new vision, inspiring our style and our closets. Leather can be used in both a classic and a modern way, but there are so many different paths to explore that go beyond the first degree of the biker jacket, which has defaulted as an off duty go-to. The concept behind this style story is to dive back into craftsmanship and traditional leather codes while styling for the complexities of a modern woman’s closet this season.
Leather is love, and especially if it takes the shape of an original silhouette— I would never give up a biker jacket as they are timeless. The color combination and layering are what make this look sophisticated, the light blue lining with bordeaux outer struck me as especially refined. The contrast in the Louis Vuitton varsity style biker jacket with a crisp white shirt adds complexity, and styling the shirt cuffs peeking well out of the jacket’s sleeve lends that touch of an irreverent elegance. I always love to mix silver and gold hardware, which is where the zip front skirt comes into play.
Julia wears a Louis Vuitton leather jacket and skirt, white shirt by Alaïa, and a Sally LaPointe belt as a tie.
Nicolas (Ghesquiere) kept the utility feeling of the quintessential biker jacket, but romanticized the edges with a nostalgic varsity vibe and a softer leather, yet elevated both with the color combination and pumped up volume. This symphony of soft, subtle, and unexpected finishes perfectly with the gold hardware. The silhouette is especially flattering to the waist. Classic yet futuristic, with an chic interpretation of leather codes.
Julia wears a Chanel sequin jacket, Maje leather shirt jacket, her personal Ralph Lauren pants and Jimmy Choo shoes.
How to toughen up a sequined Chanel piece? Leather leather leather. I love finding ways to make a classic Chanel vibe feel more rock and roll, and pairing a smoking jacket with a leather shirt, to me, is the perfect way. Here I chose a shirt style jacket with covered leather buttons, which tones down the detailing into a beautifully smooth look without taking away from the Chanel.
Any time there is a different or wonderfully strong juxtaposition present in an outfit, I like to minimize hardware and focus on that. This look is all about texture; sparkle, hardware, satin, smooth buttons, collar over lapel, cuffing the jacket to show the leather sleeves — perfection.
I just love the cheekiness of combining an oversized puffer jacket with a sleek, high waisted tweed skirt and soft monochrome shirt underneath. The juxtaposition of rapper on top, royal on the bottom feels fun and fresh, and using pieces that one would not necessarily call to mind with those particular words adds a satisfying feeling of ingenuity. Matching the skirt with shoe, and blouse with jacket respectively, adds harmony and simplicity.
This butter soft Spanish leather puffer by Carmen March is the ultimate elevation of what started as a functional garment in the 40’s, and was made popular by Milanese youth in the 80’s. The black snaps are both cool and masculine, and tie in perfectly with the black lines in the tweed skirt. A high, fitted waist ensures the figure is not lost under the volume and contrasting oversized white buttons draw the eye downward, elongating the legs — and who doesn’t like that effect?
Julia wears a Carmen March leather puffer coat, skirt and shirt, and Manolo Blahnik heels.
