a product of USA but I must tell you it was designed and made in England.
Who is or what is Neil Cooper, i do not know, he certainly had nothing to do with the jacket I produced.
That is the truth but with one very relevant and important feature feature. I was told at the time that they had had some sample jackets made in the USA but the thickness of the leather they was using and the styling made it impossible to access the whip and gun as the waistband was solid.Chronology:
George Lucas & Steven Spielberg contracted Burmans & Nathans Costumiers to outfit Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones. Noel Howard, who was the Joint Managing Director, was given this task. In doing so he had the jackets, shirts, pants, belts, and shoulder bags made. The jacket was sub-contracted to Peter Botwright of Leather Concessionaires.
Here is a quote from Noel regarding production...
"I got together lots or samples of leather jackets from our rental stock at Bermans ready for the first fitting of HF (Harrison Ford). Also, as I had worked with Peter on several productions previously, I asked him to let me have some sample jackets and leathers for the fitting. At the fitting we chose several design features from the various jackets tried on and I then asked Peter to make up a fitting jacket incorporating these features. At the next fitting we tried on this jacket and made some more modifications and then Peter made up another sample and so on until everybody was happy with the look and leather texture. As far as my memory goes, we made between 10-15 of the outfits for each movie, and usually more shirts, to cover the requirements for stunt doubles, etc.
I distinctly remember saying what if I can design it so the we have an action pleat that goes to the bottom of the jacket and have action pleats to give easy access. It was agreed that might work so I went back and using the basic bock of a james dean jacket and certain features of an A2 and others I designed a jacket with a full length action pleat ending in a vent only held in place by side straps.
It worked and became the production jacket. To my knowledge NO ONE and no other jacket design has this feature either before or since
and is and was unique to me and my production. As simple as that with no conspiracy theory.
Regards to all
Peter