New Release: Revisited and refined, the Rider Jacket from Ginew

Posted July 30, 2018

Ginew has revisited and refined their Rider Jacket for this season. The result; a jacket that honours their forebears.

If we think about Harley Davidsons and denim, we think of a sun-bleached cut off Type III with a gang patch emblazoned across the back and a pair of Levi’s 501 circa 1955. The problem is this iconic look eclipses a big part of the story. What about the engineers, welders, machinists and factory hands who built the bikes in the first place, what do you think they were wearing? Yip, denim!

Tradition and Personal History

The Selvedge Denim Rider jacket by Ginew gives us a glimpse into this often overlooked part of denim history. Like all of Ginew’s garments, the inspiration comes from both personal history and the traditions of their Native American culture.

“When you put on the RIDER JACKET, you are wearing a jacket built to honor grandfather and his life. We built the jacket with his characteristics and values. Resilience. Bravery. Honesty. Dedication. Strength. Durability. Toughness. We incorporated modifications from numerous Wisconsin moto-club jackets of the era into one jacket.” Erik Brodt Co-Founder of Ginew

The Rider is a homage to Erik’s grandfather who commuted weekly from the Mohican Indian Reservation to weld for Harley Davidson during the 1950’s and 1960’s. It is an amalgamation of early Harley club jackets of the time.

A Type III before the Type III?

With the pointed pockets, pocket flaps and slim fit achieved by the converging lines on the front, the jacket is essentially a Type III. However, there is a stripped down, essential feel to the Ginew’s Rider jacket. It almost feels like the Type III could have evolved from this. It adds another dimension to the design that is subtle and almost undefinable.

Pure practicality

Ginew deviates further from the Type III with the banded collar in a cafe racer style. There are also handwarmer pockets subtly incorporated into the vertical lines of the jacket adding to the pure practicality of the design. Ginew also added to the practicality by extending the arms and lengthening the jacket.

Ginew Rider Jacket Details:

White Oak 12 OZ blue-line selvedge denim (USA)
Custom Ginew hardware (USA)
Front side-seam pockets
Interior, front pouch pockets
Added length for riding comfort

The Rider is available over on the Ginew website.

Cone Mills, ginew, Made in America, Made in USA, Native American, White Oak

Matt Wilson

Before turning his attention toward clothing and fashion, Matt Wilson was a product designer. He witnessed first-hand the unethical manufacture of products designed and developed specifically for obsolescence and quickly recognised the inherent dangers of this attitude towards consumerism. A happy chance occurred when he discovered Raw Denim. Fascinated by the narrative contained in each garment, this newfound passion led him into a journey of discovery through the fashion and clothing industry. The qualities he found in a great pair of jeans he soon found in other garments, shoes and accessories. Up until February 2017, Matt was heavily involved with Selvedge Run, a trade show for menswear, shoes and accessories. A home for brands with a philosophy that aligned perfectly with his principles of craft and quality at the core of a good product. He now shares this passion the as the Editor of Rope Dye, an online men’s lifestyle magazine about the passion for well-crafted menswear as well as other cherished products and designs that baulk against today’s throw-away culture.