Eli Belovitch and his son-in-law Harry Grosberg founded Belstaff in Staffordshire, England in 1924. The name Belstaff was created by fusing the first syllable in Staffordshire, "Staff", with the first syllable of Eli Belovitch's last name. The original idea for Belstaff was to design and manufacture a line of protective clothing and apparel for men and women that would also be waterproof and breathable.
Belstaff's iconic logo was created to look like a Phoenix, in the hope that Belstaff would survive and thrive for years to come. When Belstaff was first introduced to the world, it became revolutionary for its use of Egyptian waxed cotton that was coated in natural oils to make it waterproof and breathable. Belstaff used this fabric in its line of jackets and apparel, and it soon became very popular with motorcyclists.
During the 1930's, Belstaff would continue to use Egyptian waxed cotton in their clothing, as well as developing new fabrics that would also be waterproof, breathable, and durable. In addition to their line of clothing for motorcyclists, Belstaff started making clothing and apparel for aviators, the military, and people who spent a lot of time outdoors. Belstaff would also start to make boots, gloves, bags, helmets and goggles for additional protection and safety.
Belstaff released the Trialmaster jacket in 1948, and the world of motorcycling would never be the same. The Trialmaster jacket is one of Belstaff's most iconic and popular jackets ever, and many famous people, as well as thousands of motorcycle lovers have worn it. Perhaps the most famous person to wear a Trialmaster jacket is Steve McQueen, Hollywood icon and "King of Cool". Che Guevara also wore his own Trialmaster on his now legendary motorcycle journey across South America.
Also in the 1940's, Belstaff would introduce the Black Prince jacket, one of the best selling waterproof jackets of all time. Belstaff would also release two of its most iconic motorcycle jackets: the Roadmaster and the Panther. Both jackets would join the Trialmaster in becoming very valuable and coveted by collectors and motorcycle lovers. In fact, vintage models from the 50's & 60's are highly sought after and go for premium prices on sites online.
Throughout the 40's, 50's and 60's, Belstaff made all of their jackets and clothing from 100% natural fabrics and materials. This would change in the 70's when Belstaff released the XL500 jacket. The XL500 jacket was made from Belflex, a nylon fabric specifically created to offer superior protection, durability, and be 100% waterproof.
An important chapter in Belstaff's history occurred in the early 1990's, when Belstaff was struggling because of the textile industry crisis in England. The crisis forced the company to close the doors on 2 of its factories; Belstaff faced an uncertain and dark future at best. It took an Italian who joined the venerable company in 1986, Franco Malenotti, to help right Belstaff and save it from going out of business. Mr. Malenotti's solution was moving the headquarters of the company to the city of Venice, Italy.
Belstaff has long had a connection to film in the past, and the 2000's were no exception as Belstaff jackets and clothing were used in a number of Hollywood films and productions. Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible 3 wore an M Blouson jacket, and Brad Pitt wore a Panther motorcycle jacket in his film Benjamin Button. Belstaff would also receive a lot of success later in the 2000's as it opened stores in South America, Australia, Japan, and Russia.
Perhaps the biggest change for Belstaff came in 2011, when The Labelux Group bought the company and turned it into a luxury heritage label. Belstaff's new CEO, Harry Slatkin, and its new CCO, Martin Cooper, have a lofty vision of transforming Belstaff into a major fashion brand that can compete against the likes of Prada or Gucci. Although Belstaff has re-imagined its image, the company is still faithful to its venerable and iconic history, heritage, and roots.
Belstaff's iconic logo was created to look like a Phoenix, in the hope that Belstaff would survive and thrive for years to come. When Belstaff was first introduced to the world, it became revolutionary for its use of Egyptian waxed cotton that was coated in natural oils to make it waterproof and breathable. Belstaff used this fabric in its line of jackets and apparel, and it soon became very popular with motorcyclists.
During the 1930's, Belstaff would continue to use Egyptian waxed cotton in their clothing, as well as developing new fabrics that would also be waterproof, breathable, and durable. In addition to their line of clothing for motorcyclists, Belstaff started making clothing and apparel for aviators, the military, and people who spent a lot of time outdoors. Belstaff would also start to make boots, gloves, bags, helmets and goggles for additional protection and safety.
Belstaff released the Trialmaster jacket in 1948, and the world of motorcycling would never be the same. The Trialmaster jacket is one of Belstaff's most iconic and popular jackets ever, and many famous people, as well as thousands of motorcycle lovers have worn it. Perhaps the most famous person to wear a Trialmaster jacket is Steve McQueen, Hollywood icon and "King of Cool". Che Guevara also wore his own Trialmaster on his now legendary motorcycle journey across South America.
Also in the 1940's, Belstaff would introduce the Black Prince jacket, one of the best selling waterproof jackets of all time. Belstaff would also release two of its most iconic motorcycle jackets: the Roadmaster and the Panther. Both jackets would join the Trialmaster in becoming very valuable and coveted by collectors and motorcycle lovers. In fact, vintage models from the 50's & 60's are highly sought after and go for premium prices on sites online.
Throughout the 40's, 50's and 60's, Belstaff made all of their jackets and clothing from 100% natural fabrics and materials. This would change in the 70's when Belstaff released the XL500 jacket. The XL500 jacket was made from Belflex, a nylon fabric specifically created to offer superior protection, durability, and be 100% waterproof.
An important chapter in Belstaff's history occurred in the early 1990's, when Belstaff was struggling because of the textile industry crisis in England. The crisis forced the company to close the doors on 2 of its factories; Belstaff faced an uncertain and dark future at best. It took an Italian who joined the venerable company in 1986, Franco Malenotti, to help right Belstaff and save it from going out of business. Mr. Malenotti's solution was moving the headquarters of the company to the city of Venice, Italy.
Belstaff has long had a connection to film in the past, and the 2000's were no exception as Belstaff jackets and clothing were used in a number of Hollywood films and productions. Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible 3 wore an M Blouson jacket, and Brad Pitt wore a Panther motorcycle jacket in his film Benjamin Button. Belstaff would also receive a lot of success later in the 2000's as it opened stores in South America, Australia, Japan, and Russia.
Perhaps the biggest change for Belstaff came in 2011, when The Labelux Group bought the company and turned it into a luxury heritage label. Belstaff's new CEO, Harry Slatkin, and its new CCO, Martin Cooper, have a lofty vision of transforming Belstaff into a major fashion brand that can compete against the likes of Prada or Gucci. Although Belstaff has re-imagined its image, the company is still faithful to its venerable and iconic history, heritage, and roots.
About the Author:
Robert Greenfield is a writer who specializes in fashion and style. You can visit his newest website by going here, where he provides unbiased reviews and information on Belstaff jackets, including additional information on Belstaff's Trialmaster jacket.
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