Every Schott leather jacket is made in the USA. Each comes with a 90 year history of the great American dream. Over 90 years, four Schott generations and the love of open spaces and open roads. This history has spanned one King, two world wars, 22 presidents and numerous skirmishes. We've learned to leave our troubles behind and hit the road with the wind in our face.
Two brothers, Irving and Jack Schott, took aim at their desire for the American dream and started making raincoats on the lower east side of Manhattan and sold them door to door all over New York City. The setting is 1913 New York with the Model T beginning to crowd the bustling and busy streets of New York City.
In the 1920s when Al Capone and The Yankees famous Babe Ruth were filling the news with their antics and records, the Schott brothers were changing fashion and defining a new American style. It was at this time that the first zipper was put onto a jacket. It was the Schott brothers who brought us the zipper jacket that we all know so well today.
With innovation at his heart and a burgeoning desire to succeed Irving then set his sights on leather, leather motorcycle jackets to be specific. Our society was changing, we were looking at the open road and the motorcycle with romantic dreams. In 1928 the Schott Brothers produced the first leather motorcycle jacket. The original price was $5.50! Wow, how times have changed! They named it the "Perfecto" and it is still made today. This durable and rugged jacket was quickly made into a cult fashion statement that exists to this day. A new generation of "bikers" were making a statement and the Schott leather motorcycle jacket was the lead spokesman.
American life was again interrupted with the start of WWII. The US Air Force commissioned Schott to produce a "bomber jacket" for the flyers in the air over enemy territories. The air is cold at the flying altitudes over Europe and the Pacific as well. The leather jacket fought of the chill and blocked the wind. Schott's naval pea coat provided servicemen with a warm rugged coat to keep them away from the weather and conditions at sea. Schott went on to produce these leather and wool pea coats for the US Military for 60 years.
With WWII over and the threat of communism put in check by MacArthur in Korea, this country was witnessing the rise of a new rebellion - one that would be fought with fast cars and Rock and Roll. In 1954, the now cult classic "The Wild Ones" featured the hot young actor, Marlon Brando, perched on his motorcycle wearing his Schott Perfecto. The subsequent spike in popularity of the Perfecto surprisingly resulted in decreased sales. The jackets were actually banned by school systems around the country because they symbolized a burgeoning teen demographic, the "hood".
For 50 years Schott NYC has grown and prospered and produced leather jackets and attire. The Schott family, still in control of the company, has kept hold through generation after generation. Now they have expanded into women's fashion attire, handbags, and even sunglasses. The business still operates out of the New York City area and is in a 100 year old building.
In an old brick building we design and produce the styles that have - and will continue to - connect with the American spirit. More importantly, we are still dedicated to the ideals of quality, innovation, and individuality that were so important to Irving Schott - and that remain important to every person who buys one of our jackets.
For four generations the Schott family has produced quality leather products. We thank you for helping us keep a bit of American history alive and well.
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