MARILYN MONROE USO TOUR KOREA 1954
In celebration of its 55th anniversary, American outerwear brand, Alpha Industries, has launched a capsule collection featuring the iconic styles that have defined this military brand’s heritage. A look back at this company seems fitting on this Veterans Day.
Founded in 1959 by Samuel Gelber, who had a lease on factory space and skilled workers ready to go, Alpha Industries was subcontracted by the U.S Department of Defense to manufacture the MA-1 flight jacket. The MA-1 had a 100% wool knit collar, discarding the mouton fur collar of its predecessor, the B-15, as it interfered with the parachute harness worn by aviators. An Indian Orange lining was later added so that if a plane crashed, the pilot could reverse the jacket to the orange side to signal rescue personnel. The N-3B parka soon followed, and was the first jacket for which Alpha was awarded a contract to manufacture by the U.S. Department of Defense. Commonly known as the snorkel coat, it is distinctive for its funnel shaped fur trimmed hood.
B-15 55TH ANNIVERSARY FLIGHT JACKET; WOMENS MA-1 FLIGHT JACKET
In its 55 years, Alpha Industries has evolved from exclusively supplying the U.S. Department of Defense with outerwear products, to becoming the most recognized military-inspired fashion lifestyle brand. While this capsule collection features mainly mens products, most of the iconic styles are also available for women including, the classic MA-1 Flight Jacket.
