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A Must-Have: Souvenir Jacket
By: Cecilia Zhang
Courtesy of Valentino
If you still don’t have a Souvenir jacket or even don’t know what it is, you are definitely out of fashion. This type of Japan-originated silk satin jacket with oriental embroidery, also known as "Sukajan", swept the high fashion runways in the spring/summer 2016 season.
Actually, this jacket appeared briefly at the Maison Martin Margiela fall 2014 couture show. After this latest renaissance, it will most likely stick around for the long run.
Maison Martin Margiela Fall 2014 Couture
Photos by Kim Weston Arnold / Indigitalimages Vogue.com
The history of the jacket traces back to Japan’s post-World War II Occupation period. In order to commemorate service time in Japan, an unknown American soldier took his bomber jacket to a local tailor in Yokosuka after the war to have it embroidered with his name and a map of Japan before he left the country. It was quickly duplicated by other soldiers and became a trendy souvenir to bring back home.
Afterwards, this type of garment was reserved for locals. They adopted the shape of the bomber jacket and replaced the material with silk satin. The decoration was also extended to other eastern motifs such as tigers, dragons, koi fishes and geishas. |
Vintage Souvenir Jackets from Japan love me store
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Katy Perry wearing a Souvenir Jacket on the cover of her single "Roar".
Source: Rolling Stone |
Before making the way to the high fashion stage, the souvenir jacket invaded famous pop artists’ wardrobes including Rihanna, Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry.
Valentino just released a new capsule menswear collection featuring a series of souvenir jackets made of technical satin and embroidered with tropical flowers or exotic animals. Prices range from $1,880 to $4,695. Click Pictures to Buy |
There are also some affordable alternatives with less intricate embroidery. You can find a version at Urban Outiffers and other fast fashion stores for around $150 to $250. Stussy Souvenir Jacket at Urban Outfitters $149
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