LONDON — To celebrate its centenary, Belstaff returned to its home last weekend with a small retrospective exhibition in Stoke-on-Trent, a city in England’s Midlands, and the birthplace of the brand.
The brand’s offering of motorcycling and wind-proofing outerwear was exhibited at the Gladstone Pottery Museum, just moments away from the factory where it was founded.
“These past 100 years signify determination and resilience. Resilience is probably the key word. It’s the ability to bounce back. I think that’s incredibly British in itself, just getting on with it, getting it done,” said Fran Millar, Befstaff’s chief executive officer.
Belstaff‘s earliest branded brown leather car coat from 1924 at the Belstaff archive exhibition.
Courtesy of Belstaff
Set inside brick-walled kilns, the exhibition featured archival pieces from the ’20s to the present day, including the earliest branded brown leather car coat, a black and bright orange racing suit worn by English champion Mike Edwards and a leather biker jacket with fur lining.
The brand’s signature Trialmaster jacket, which was introduced in the ’50s, was displayed on a separate kiln that showcased some of the special versions of the design, including a rare women’s jacket in faded red, a professional suit worn by British champion Malcolm Rathmell and a gray jacket owned by Hollywood actor Steve McQueen.
An eerie tune played in the background, a stylistic choice by Jodie Harrison, Belstaff’s chief brand officer.
Trialmaster jacket, previously worn by Steve McQueen, at the Belstaff archive exhibition.
Courtesy of Belstaff
“I wanted to contradict the heritage with something that felt very modern and a bit dystopian, if I’m being honest,” she said.
A special workroom in the exhibition was dedicated to Belstaff’s future, hosting garments that were designed under the Cloudmaster project — a talent incubator in partnership with the Manchester Fashion Institute. The winner, Hadisa Ahmad, will receive a prize fund from the brand.
“I think we evolved with the times like any fashion company should do. And I think now you know, the future is thinking about what weatherproofing means. When the climate is changing all the time, thinking about more genderless silhouettes and dressing and about what people want today versus always resting on our heritage,” said Harrison.
Early 2000s racing suit at the Belstaff archive exhibition.
Courtesy of Belstaff
For the celebration, Belstaff brought together ex-factory workers in a reunion and held an archive vintage sale, the proceeds of which will go to the Friends of the Potteries Museum, a charity that supports The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery and The Gladstone Pottery Museum.