Independence Brothers is not affiliated with Acne Studios and the opinions expressed here are my own.
The luxury fashion house, Ambition to Create Novel Expressions, or Acne as we know, was established in 1996 in Stockholm, Sweden. Founded by Jonny Johannson, who is still the current creative director, the fashion house specializes in men's and women's ready to wear fashion. Jonny Johansson's passion for art, architecture, and contemporary culture is what gave Acne Studios a creative edge. Today, Acne Studios is not just a well-respected fashion brand; they also create publications, furniture, host exhibitions, and have had many respectable collaborations. The Swedish company is now world-famous for their unique, high quality ready to wear clothing and accessories for men and women. You may be surprised to learn how the founder, Jonny Johansson's interest in art and photography transformed the way he designed his clothing.
The Evolution of Acne Studios
Originally Acne Studios had no intention of becoming one of the biggest fashion brands in the world. In the beginning, the brand was part of a creative collective with a focus on graphic design, film, production, and advertising. The original acronym ACNE even stood for Associated Computer Nerd Enterprises. So how did the brand shift from focusing on tech and advertising to becoming one of the most sought after brands in the world? It's all thanks to Jonny, who in 1997 created 100 pairs of denim jeans with distinct red stitching who he gave away to friends and family. The receivers of the jeans were impressed, and news about the new denim was buzzing. Shortly after Wallpaper Magazine and Vogue Paris picked up on the jeans, and soon, Acne was rapidly expanding their fashion brand. After producing the jeans, Jonny got to work on designing more denim, outerwear, and accessories. The brand took off, and to this day, Jonny is still the creative director of the fashion powerhouse. His collections are defined by the signature juxtaposing design and attention to detail in his clothing. Acne puts emphasis on tailoring and using custom developed fabrics for their clothing. Their denim, leather jackets, footwear, and accessories are loved by many around the globe.
Since launching their e-commerce store, Acne has grown into a global fashion house. Their ready-to-wear collections are showcased at the Paris Fashion Week twice a year, and Acne retail stores can be found around the world, including Paris, New York, Los Angeles, London, Milan, Shanghai, and Tokyo, to name a few.
How to order from Acne Studios
Just like you would order from any other online retailer, Acne is no different. They offer worldwide shipping as well. After you make your selections head over to the checkout to complete the order. They do have a customer service number but don't expect an immediate reply. You may have to send an email and wait for a response, or be stuck on the phone waiting for a rep to accept your call. The good news is they have a long list of already answered questions, keep reading to get the link to their FAQs below.
How many leather jackets does Acne carry?
While they do have stores all over the world, there are only currently 45. So, if you don't live in a big city, the chances of buying in-store may be slim. The good news is their online store has plenty of options to choose from. Feel free to shop from the comfort of your own home, plus they offer free standard shipping on all orders. Currently, on the Acne Studios website, they have six styles of leather jackets to choose from. From shearling aviator leather jackets to classic motorcycle styles, they do offer a good range. If you want something more unique, try their long textured leather coat, or their bright red cowhide trench. Those two will surely be showstoppers and conversation starters.
When will I receive my order?
If you're shopping on the US site, you'll be glad to know not only is it free shipping with no minimum purchase but also expect your new jacket to arrive within 2 to 3 days. If you happen to be one of the lucky ones who live in an area with an Acne Studios store head over and try on some different styles and sizes. They have six standard sizes to choose from. They range from 44 to 54 European, which is the equivalent of S to XL in US standard sizing.
Have more questions? Check out the link below with the FAQ's right from the Acne site:
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Acne - Behind the scenes
So, let's get down to business, and talk about the specific leather jackets Acne offers. The quality of their coats are of the highest standards. Their clothing is designed to last; they carefully choose their materials and techniques to ensure their customers can enjoy their clothing for years to come. Acne is passionate about the ethical and environmental impact of their operations and takes all precautions and measures to limit their carbon footprint. The brand understands the considerable impact a clothing manufacturer can have on our planet; they try to cover all their bases and protect the environment as much as possible. They also focus on offering their employees a fair working environment all around the globe. Their clothing is manufactured in multiple countries, including China, India, Italy, Turkey, Tunisia, Viet Nam, and Bulgaria. The company monitors working conditions in all of their facilities and provides safety and awareness training for all workers in their factories. They ensure all of their workers are treated fairly, receive adequate pay, and are offered a comfortable work space.
Their clothing is crafted from the finest leathers, and they use high-quality soft material for the lining. Each of their jackets are unique in their own way, some are cut looser, some are colorful, and some are classics. They do try to offer men a number of options, and they want the wearers of their clothing to be proud to represent their brand. If you buy from Acne, know you are supporting an ethical company who believes in giving the best to their customers. In turn, you will receive a soft, durable, well made leather jacket.
Fair Wear Foundation (FWF)
Since 2008, Acne has been a member of the (FWF) organization. The organization was put in place to help retailers monitor and improve labor conditions in the factories where their products are made. A 'brand performance check' is conducted each year by the Fair Wear Foundation where the brand is evaluated and graded. The summarized outcomes are made public by the foundation.
Want to learn more about how Acne Studios scored on their Fair Ware performance check? Check out the full report linked below.
The complete product review
The Acne Studios regular fit biker jacket in black is made with soft lamb nappa leather. It has a belted waist and zippered pockets. When thinking of a classic leather jacket, this is probably the one that will come to mind. It comes with a belt, silver hardware, zippered pockets, and a collar. The jacket can be dressed up or down is made from buttery-soft lamb leather. This specific one will set you back $1,650. The jacket is jet black and hits right at the waist. The belt is adjustable and can be taken off to switch up the look of the jacket.
How to choose the right Acne jacket for you
When shopping for leather, there are always a few key points to keep in the forefront of your mind. The feel, the quality, the materials, and how you feel wearing the jacket. A great leather jacket should be easy to style, something you can throw on and leave the house looking tailored and put together. When you put on a leather jacket, it should feel like a second skin, ultra-comfortable and offer just enough warmth without being too hot.
The regular fit biker jacket can be worn during the winter and fall seasons, depending on where you live. If you happen to live in a colder climate, like the east coast, you'll be able to use this jacket on colder spring nights as well. The coat is soft as butter and has durable silver grommets and zippers. You should feel a sense of self confidence when wearing this jacket, it should make you feel put together and ready to take on the day, or night.
How to care for your leather jacket
If you do decide to purchase an Acne Studios leather jacket or any other brand for that matter, you have to take care of it. The proper maintenance will ensure your coat will never get stiff or dry and be with you for years. When you're not wearing your jacket, be sure to hang it up in a closet as opposed to throwing it on a chair as soon as you get home. Sometimes leather jackets need to be cleaned or conditioned, always purchase supplies explicitly made to clean real leather and ones that won't compromise the integrity of the coat.
Final thoughts
In my opinion, any brand who shared its name with a common skin disorder and managed to make it one of the top fashion houses in the world deserves some serious praise. While Acne is an acronym, founder Jonny has said he liked the idea of "appropriating a difficult word" and making it hip and cool. The brand caters to offering its customers high-quality products built to last. They are not your run of the mill clothing company either; they provide eccentric pieces that would be hard to find in your local department stores. While some of their clothing is more unique than others, they still do offer classic, timeless pieces, that anyone would be glad to add to their wardrobe. I think it's great they have men and women's clothing as well. They try to create their pieces to mix and match with others in the same collection easily. Creating a whole capsule wardrobe from Acne would be a dream come true for someone like me who loves fashion. I think the quality of their clothing is above average and the styles are not something you would see every day. Like any other brand in the world, there are some pros and cons to the company.
Pros:
- Exchanges are free of charge
- They use high-quality leather to make their jackets
- The jacket should last you for years to come
- The company custom develops its fabrics
- The designs and emphasis on detail are unparalleled
- User-friendly website and free shipping in the US
- Acne is a proud member of FWF
- They strive to provide safe and ethical working environments for their employees
Cons:
- Acne Studio leather jackets do not come cheap; they range from $1,650 to $2,600.
- You will most likely have to purchase an Acne leather jacket online, meaning you can't try it on for size and feel in person.
- They currently only have six leather jackets for sale on the American site.
- The jackets come in 6 sizes only, and it's standard European sizing, so American clients will need to convert their measurements.
Are you the perfect Acne Studios customer?
If you're wondering if Acne will be your new go-to brand for leather jackets, think about the reasons behind why you're making the purchase? People can use leather jackets, especially for warmth in the colder months. If you're only looking to add a protective layer, we don't recommend shelling out big bucks on a leather jacket. The ideal customer for Acne is someone who is very into fashion, cares about the quality of their garments, but also someone who is willing to make an investment in their wardrobe. Again, these jackets have a steep price tag, so try to choose a coat you will get the most use out of.