Eastman Leather Clothing
MakerAbout
Eastman Leather Clothing is a British manufacturer of reproduction leather garments and footwear, established in 1984 by Gary Eastman. Based in Ivybridge, Devon, the company specializes in historically accurate reproductions of World War II flight jackets and military-inspired footwear. Eastman built its reputation through meticulous research of original vintage pieces, reverse-engineering construction methods, hardware, and materials to achieve period-correct authenticity. The company maintains small-scale production with each garment completed by a single machinist, using vegetable-tanned leathers and period-appropriate specifications.
About
Eastman Leather Clothing is a British manufacturer of reproduction leather garments and footwear, established in 1984 by Gary Eastman. Based in Ivybridge, Devon, the company specializes in historically accurate reproductions of World War II flight jackets and military-inspired footwear. Eastman built its reputation through meticulous research of original vintage pieces, reverse-engineering construction methods, hardware, and materials to achieve period-correct authenticity. The company maintains small-scale production with each garment completed by a single machinist, using vegetable-tanned leathers and period-appropriate specifications.
History
Gary Eastman founded Eastman Leather in 1984, pioneering the reproduction of vintage-style leather flying jackets from World War II to quality and authenticity levels previously unavailable. The company grew from a garage operation to an internationally recognized manufacturer of reproduction leathers. Eastman Leather Clothing was formally registered as a private limited company on 25 March 2013, with offices in Plymouth.
The company's research methodology involves sourcing original wartime garments, taking them apart to create accurate patterns, and studying how specific contract manufacturers built their jackets during the war period. This approach to historical accuracy led to Eastman jackets appearing in major film productions, including Pearl Harbor.
Products
Flight Jackets
Eastman's core product line consists of World War II flight jacket reproductions. Each jacket detail derives from research of original pieces, with leathers vegetable-tanned and dyed to match wartime specifications. Hardware and stitching are reverse-engineered from vintage examples to ensure historical accuracy. The Type A-2 represents one of the company's signature models, replicating the iconic American military flight jacket.
Tanker Boots
The Tanker Boots represent Eastman's entry into footwear, created in collaboration with bootmaker John Lofgren. Based on a design originally developed with General Patton in 1937, these boots revive the World War II military boot pattern. Available in materials including black horsehide, the Tanker Boots apply Eastman's research-driven approach to historical footwear reproduction.
Raider Boots
Additional footwear offerings include the Raider Boots, continuing the company's focus on military-inspired designs rooted in historical patterns and construction methods.
Manufacturing
All Eastman products are manufactured in the United Kingdom, specifically in Ivybridge, Devon. Production employs a small workforce where each jacket is completed entirely by one machinist rather than assembly line methods. This approach ensures consistency and allows individual craftspeople to maintain quality control throughout the construction process. The company uses vegetable-tanned leathers processed to match wartime material specifications, with hardware and components sourced or manufactured to replicate period-correct details.
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