Story of the Style – Aviator Group

The most wanted reversible aviator collection is one of our more fitted Marfa Stance styles, engineered to be lightweight, luxurious and versatile, designed for a modern lifestyle. Read Georgia’s inspirations behind the best-selling Aviator group in the latest installment of our ‘Story of the Style’ series. 

What was your inspiration?

I always try to be client-led in my design process, considering their wants and needs, and how we can provide a solution. When I was in LA a customer expressed that they loved the look and feel of our Shearling styles, but that the Shearling Coat and Quilt was just too heavy for the climate there. This inspired me to create a piece made mostly of quilting, which is light and works across numerous climates, but features shearling on the chest to emulate the warmer look without adding bulk or too much insulation. For a cosier feel, you can reverse each piece to have the majority of the shearling facing inwards against your skin, as the shearling is still functional, not just for style.

Taking inspiration from the texture and functionality of vintage aviator jackets, the reversible Aviator collection is engineered to be light weight, luxurious and versatile, designed for a modern lifestyle.

How many artisans work on it and who are they?

This collection has one of the largest number of artisans working on each piece, with eight individuals from our factory situated outside of Florence coming together to make our Aviator styles. There is the specialist sorting through the shearling, the artisan who applies the napa finish, the quilting process, the artisan who cuts and binds all of the leather which two separate artisans must then assemble piece by piece and stitch together, before the button holes are fashioned and welded. Finally, quality control is overseen by the final artisan in the process.

What are the key design elements?

The colours, tailoring, zipper details and use of Italian Napa leather all feel more traditional than some of our more sculptural pieces, however the lightweight, functional, water-resistant, transeasonal elements that are Marfa Stance staples ensure that the collection is updated and modern. Because this design features a slimmer fit than the more oversized silhouettes running through our collection, it was incredibly important to incorporate our signature ruching on the elbow, to allow the wearer to comfortably bend their arms and layer knitwear underneath. I always aim to design transitional garments, and with all of the leather and shearling focused on the front of the piece, and the back covered in our core upcycled quilting, the collection effortlessly transitions through Autumn and Winter, into Spring.

What are the modular elements?

Each Aviator jacket has a corresponding Aviator Collar, with the shearling and leather being an identical colour match, and making the end result look as though the two components were one new piece, evocative of a vintage pilot’s jacket. However, you can also customise and make it modular, choosing to add any Collar to your Aviator piece, adding a modern pop of colour or texture. Equally, any of our modular Hoods can also be attached, adding protection from the elements. The Aviator Group also works well underneath some of our less fitted coats as a second layer, and the Cropped Aviator Vest looks perfect paired under the Cropped Aviator, for a double leather look, and complete thermal insulation.