Lister's Jacket [Series III-V + VII + Back To Earth]

Photos used with kind permission of Amanda Howard

According to some, pins, badges, and patches cannot be suspended in mid-air. Ideally, they require a backing material to prevent Newton's unforgettable Big Science Law™ from rendering them temporarily, or even permanently, ground-bound.

So, on from our most recent discovery, having now scoured thousands of images shared by members of the La Rocka! Facebook group, I zeroed-in on this photo taken by Amanda Howard... And I reckon I've got this jacket mystery sussed.

When comparing this example to the screen-used version, and the plethora of lancer-fronted Perfecto cuts currently available, there are various aspects that need to be defined...

• The ZIP POCKETS are correctly aligned, with matching ball-and-chain pulls
  
• Neither the COLLAR nor LAPELS feature the usual silver poppers
• The JETTED ZIP POCKETS, EPAULETTES, CUFFS, and COLLAR all sport sections of black velvet
  
• Rather than the more-common zipped cuffs, this has POPPER-FASTENED CUFFS
• The jacket's lowest edge features FOUR BELT LOOPS with silver poppers (a further two on the back)
  
• The sides of the jacket have ADJUSTABLE VENTING with six grommets apiece
• The MAIN ZIP has a flap that extends beyond the right edge
• Lacks a COIN POCKET
  
• The reverse side includes a BISECTING V-SHAPED HORIZONTAL LINE closest to the collar
  

Shortly after I reached out to Amanda, she very kindly sent further photos. She also informed me that, sadly, the belt that accompanies this jacket is almost certainly lost. I only hope it turns up at the back of the wardrobe someday. Or, perhaps behind the fridge. If you lose something, it's almost always there.

The late Jake Abraham, The Inquisitor [Series V]

So, as a great man once said, that's the final irony, isn't it? Finding the fabled Silver Pin has inexorably led to (almost certainly) discovering the origins of the jacket itself. Adding further credence to the theory, the pin itself is said to have accompanied larger purchases of La Rocka! goods. Given there are no less than two Listers in The Inquisitor, both with matching jackets and adornments (one likely the back-up), it is fair to posit that most of Craig's wardrobe was sourced from Johnson's The Modern Outfitters. Trousers, waistcoats, you name it.

Lastly, I can only assume the jackets were intentionally distressed, which retrospectively is a crying shame given their extraordinary design, build quality, and lasting reputation. I suppose a damaged version could have been found or chosen first, and a second then torn-up to match. Who knows? In any event, they still look visually striking and/or bad-ass.

If that wasn't enough, here is some additional detail from Amanda regarding her cosmic acquisition...

"Jacket brought in Johnson’s in Kensington market in 1988??  Think it was £250 and I remember paying by cheque, 5 cheques!! £50 each!!"

It seems researching Lister's jacket is a bit like waiting for black holes to turn up. You hang around eBay for three million years and you don't see one badge. Then, all of a sudden, five of 'em turn up at once. Now, if I could only find the style name... that would be good.

Next up, where did Lister's socks come from?!

/ /   I N C O M I N G   M E S S A G E   / /

Less than 24 hours later, thanks to Amanda, Lloyd Johnson himself, and the La Rocka! Facebook group, it appears the name of the jacket has been found! *drum roll* 'The Brando'. And it came with its own pin with purple detailing. I hear two versions were made, one in regular black leather, and one in distressed black leather known as 'The Antique Brando'. A similar design, 'The Original Biker' had tabs down the front.

Iggy Pop's Facebook page has a photo of him wearing what looks to be a slight variation with silver poppers... Well, fancy that.