What do Elvis Presley from the late 1960s and Run DMC from the 1980s have in common? Of course, their profession: they are all musicians, although of different generations and genres. But not only: also their passion for leather jackets. Okay, this was easy. So what is the common thread that unites Renaissance poet Philip Sidney and current motorcycle gangs? Of course: leather clothing. Because, whatever detractors may say, leather is history: we must all pay tribute to leather.
We should all pay tribute to leather
It puts it black on white 1843, The Economist’s culture and society magazine. Leather is a “prehistoric, ancestral” material that has accompanied man since the dawn of time. Perhaps for this reason, it has a charm that no fabric can obtain. Its animal origin gives it an almost magical aura. This is why leather is revealed to be “for the open road and the prairie – it suits libertarians, cowpokes and Hell’s Angels”, recognises The Economist. Over the centuries and decades, such a strong identity has exercised a cross appeal, to the point that leather for its evocative energy has been adopted both “by authoritarian states” and by “rebel causes”.
A tribute to be greeted
To those in the leather industry who have been working in it for a lifetime, to those who observe it, apply it and study it every day, perhaps The Economist’s analysis does not say much new. Perhaps the most interesting aspect for the specialised public is the set of images that accompanies the analysis: a 500 year long didactic journey. But let us say that, since the rashest and most superficial attacks on leather come from the generalist press (and we know something about it), it is simply a pleasure to find an article of this kind. Here the link to the article.
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