Buzz Rickson’s and William Gibson have taken the M-51 Parka from drab to goth with their Slender Black interpretation.
Used by the US Army in the Korean War, the fishtail parka was immortalized by the Mods in England in the 60s and 70s as well as hippies in the US and just about any cool, counter-culture type at that time. The secret was they were cheap and durable.
Buzz Rickson’s William Gibson line executes this utilitarian classic in its textbook true black. Made in Japan from heavy-duty cotton sateen, the jacket features painstakingly impressive details like a Crown Aluminum Spring Automatic Lock zipper, U.S Government Department of Defense Spec snap buttons, and Mil-Spec urea buttons. Even the stamp on the hood has been applied by hand
The blacked-out color scheme and an updated fit are the only departures from the original design but they help thus piece stand to on its own in a new context and pave its own history.
Available for $755 at Clutch Cafe
