KATHARINE HAMNETT 1986 BLITZ Designer Denim Jacket Project "VOTE"

“I am glad we studded it with VOTE and CND symbol, using our vote to bring peace is still the only way we will ever achieve it”, Katharine Hamnett says about her contribution to BLITZ magazine's iconic Designer Denim Jacket Collection, 1986.

Please do watch the video from the V&A Museum to find out more about the fascinating history of this collection: "In July 1986, era-defining style magazine BLITZ featured images of 22 denim jackets made by Levi's and customised by some of the world's most lauded designers – Vivienne Westwood, John Galliano and Katherine Hamnett among them. The jackets went on to be worn during a special one-off evening of performance, before being displayed at the V&A. (...) This video was originally produced for the exhibition Club to Catwalk: London Fashion in the 1980s, which ran at the V&A South Kensington, 10 July 2013 – 16 February 2014." - V&A Museum

V&A Museum's Kate Bethune, assistant curator of "Club to Catwalk: London Fashion in the 1980s" (2013), further writes: "It is hardly surprising that The BLITZ designer collection of Levis denim jackets have an interesting history. Their first outing was at a celebrity fashion gala in June 1986, where they were modelled by a host of 80s stars and icons from Boy George to Daniel Day-Lewis before being auctioned off for the Prince’s Trust charity. From June to September they were exhibited at the V&A in a bid to attract a younger and more street-wise audience into the museum. Afterwards they travelled to the Musée des Arts Decoratifs at the Louvre, Paris."

Stills from the video show a sketch of the jacket and the publication in BLITZ magazine July 1986. The second video shows highlights from the BLITZ Designer Collection fashion show at the Albery Theatre in London in June 1986.

This rare oversized denim jacket is made of a heavyweight light blue stonewashed used look denim, adorned with hundreds of silver-tone studs and large rhinestone studs - crystal clear, amber, red, blue and green. The jacket has substantial weight. The studs form a large "VOTE" lettering and peace symbol on front and back as well as a large studded peace sign patch on the left sleeve. Two breast pockets, two side pockets, buttoned cuffs. 100% cotton.