AKAGI JACKET

The Akagi Jacket is crafted in lightweight rayon gabardine, reviving a rare and fluid fabric used in certain original souvenir jackets of the 1950s. Less well-known than satin yet equally precious, rayon gabardine offered a more resistant, matte alternative. Its twill weave allowed embroidery of exceptional precision, with deep colors and remarkable durability over time.

After the Korean War (1950–1953), the lifting of textile restrictions encouraged its broader adoption, answering the growing desire for souvenir jackets that were sturdier and more versatile. Influenced as well by American western fashion, the silhouette of the Akagi Jacket echoes the rockabilly energy of the 1950s, which left a lasting mark on the evolution of sukajan aesthetics.

Each piece is adorned with authentic Yokoburi embroidery, executed on a traditional period machine—today unique in the world. This rarity gives the jacket exceptional value, where craftsmanship and heritage converge.

The Akagi Jacket is fitted with original vintage Talon zippers on the chest and front opening, sourced from early technical garments of the era. Renowned for their robustness and authenticity, these closures embody the functional and durable heritage at the core of Eastwood Studio’s vision.

The motifs are drawn from original 1950s templates, carefully preserved and rediscovered in an old Kiryu workshop. Through exclusive access to these archives, Eastwood Studio brings unprecedented historical depth to this collection, transforming the Akagi Jacket into a rare and timeless piece.

Context

In the 1950s, post-war Japan opened itself to the breath of modernity from America. To the satin jackets were added more robust silhouettes, crafted from rayon gabardine. The Akagi Jacket draws on this evolution: a garment born of the encounter between American military jackets and Japanese youth eager for novelty.

With the end of textile restrictions after the Korean War, this rare, fluid fabric allowed for denser, more vibrant embroidery. It embodied the spirit of rockabilly—that raw energy binding Tokyo to the smoky clubs of American bases.

Introduction of Gabardine

Rayon gabardine was a prized alternative to satin in 1950s souvenir jackets. Less widespread but more robust, it appealed for its matte finish and durability. After the Korean War (1950–1953), the lifting of restrictions on textile materials enabled its wider adoption, answering a growing demand for more versatile souvenir jackets.

This evolution was also shaped by American western fashion and the rockabilly aesthetic, both of which profoundly influenced the silhouette and energy of sukajan of the era.