( The Leather Jacket )

“When my father was 18 years old, he moved from the most southern to the most northern region of The Netherlands. For this life event, he ordered a hand-made and personally tailored motor jacket, made out of brown leather and with a red lining. A real classic!”

The years past, and eventually my father sold his motorbike to buy himself a car. From that moment on, the jacket remained stowed away in the wardrobe of my parents. When growing up, every now and then I would turn to that wardrobe to find that brown leather jacket and try it on to see if it would fit me. As you might guess, for many years it was simply too large for me to wear.

When I was 20 years old, I finally fit the jacket! It was such a special moment and I vividly remember wearing it for the first time. I was riding my bike home at night and wearing it provided me with a special feeling of safety, as if I was wearing a protective coat of armour instead of a leather jacket. Since that bike ride, whenever I am in need of some extra courage or protection, I take out my father’s brown leather motor jacket and wear it.

( Aafke )
( The Netherlands )