Avirex jackets have evolved from design history to cultural icon.
Avirex was founded in the United States in the 1970s, inspired by military suppliers, and has since become a household name in the military as well as a hip hop legend thanks to the revival of historical designs and unparalleled finishes. An impact on popular culture comparable only to a select few brands.
The Origin of Avirex
Jeff Clyman grew up as the son of a United States Army pilot. He had inherited his father’s love of planes and enjoyed flying the so-called Warbirds, military relics now destined for civilian and recreational use, despite being a lawyer by profession. Clyman broadened his interests and became an expert on the history of classic military imagery such as the A-1, A-2, and G-1 jackets.
Clyman, a collector since he inherited his father’s Army Air Corps aviator jacket, saw an opportunity to search for the original patterns and create his own brand, Avirex (Latin for King of the Air). He sought suppliers and factories that would uphold the patterns and manufacturing methods of the classic designs. Avirex was the first company to produce high-quality leather jackets with a distressed finish, establishing a quality standard that has been imitated ever since.
Avirex and its Influence on Hip Hop
Avirex made its triumphant debut on the big screen in the 1980s, thanks to iconic films like Top Gun, where it arrived thanks to its ability to replicate classic designs. The ability to capture classic designs and accurately reproduce them was a hallmark of Avirex, which was gaining popularity and notoriety among those looking for lines inspired by the past and history of military uniforms. Avirex has never abandoned this ability to recapture the past.
However, his true impact was felt in the music industry, specifically in hip hop. He arrived in the 1980s, when Avirex retrieved designs from civilian pilot training programmes and sports teams. It moved from sports to music. Hip hop quickly grasped the intersection of American design history and craftsmanship.
Avirex jackets became a status symbol in the hip hop community, indicating a distinct style that transcended clothing to become a cultural symbol. It was not only aesthetic, but it was also immortalised in song lyrics, becoming an indispensable reference in songs and videos by Fat Joe, Biggie Smalls, Nas, Brand Nubian, Method Man, and Mobb Deep.
The duality of Avirex, as both a preserver of the history of classic garments related to the aviation imaginary and an icon of hip hop, finds its place in the FOOTDISTRICT catalogue. We celebrate Avirex’s rich heritage with a carefully curated selection of its most iconic garments. Each piece tells a story, fusing military craftsmanship with hip hop influence.