Style Inspiration: The Gaspar Leather Lumber Jacket
J.L. Rocha Collections
The Gaspar Leather Lumber Jacket
A symbol of strength, tradition, and nobility.
Our Classic Collection is a mixture of our dedication to historic leather craft combined with meticulous focus on detail oriented work. Our Gaspar Leather Lumber Jacket is a work of history unearthed, crafted with our most traditional techniques and named after an original symbol of freedom.
Gaspar Yanga
The First Liberator of the Americas
The Story of Yanga
A prince of noble heritage, captured and sold into slavery in new Spain during the colonial era, was a member of the Royal Gabon Family born on May 14th 1545. He is noted as the first liberator of the Americas, and stands a hero for many due to the impact of his successful campaign for freedom. Gaspar Yanga (often referred to as Yanga), led a band of slaves in 1570 to escape to the highlands near Veracruz; where they built a small colony.
The colony thrived for over 30 years, and in 1609 successfully resisted against 550 Spanish troops sent to destroy them. Regardless of the Spanish refusal to grant the colony freedom, Yanga utilized his knowledge of the terrain and leadership to force a stalemate lasting years - until finally the Spanish relented. In 1618 the treaty was signed and by 1630 the town of San Lorenzo de los Negros de Cerralvo was established. Located in today's Veracruz Province, the town in the 21st century is now known as Yanga - and was declared an UNESCO world heritage site.
Gaspar Yanga stands as an icon of American liberation, with statues in many Mexican cities. His legacy reminds us that resilience, dedication, and social impact are never limited due to one’s heritage or circumstance. The story of Yanga shows us the value of individuality, inspiring our Yanga Leather Lumber Jacket from our Classic Collection.
The Leather Lumber Jacket
Inspired by Resilience - Handmade in Mexico
The Lumber Jacket: History and Inspiration
The region encompassing Northern Michigan and the Canadian Plains served as a valuable source of trade in the 18th and 19th century. Named after named after the Straits of Mackinac, which connect Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, this region is home to the original Mackinaw jacket that we now know as the lumber jacket.
The Mackinaw jacket traces its roots to coats made by white and Métis women in November 1811. Commissioned by John Askin Jr., an early trader and keeper of the kings store in the fort on the upper Great Lakes. Fulfilling a contract received from the post commander - Askin hired these women to sew 40 woolen greatcoats for the British Army post.
Askins’ wife Madeline, and the Métis women played a significant roll in the design of this jacket as the number of blue mackinaw blankets proved insufficient to craft the required number of blue coats. This challenge, along with the original design being impractical for the snow - allowed Madeline Askin and the Métis Women to alter the design. The result: coats made from mackinaw blankets in red as well as the black-on-red tartan pattern (that is associated with the jackets of today). The long skirts of the original greatcoat were were removed for adaptability in the snow, and thus - the Mackinaw jacket was born.
Today mountaineers, style enthusiast and lumber jacks alike dawn Mackinaw Jackets in colder environments. The functionality of the mackinaw coat was so popular among lumberjacks - that the style quickly became a staple of the trade earning the pseudonym “Lumber Jacket.”
Final Notes
These stories of collaboration, innovation, and resilience culminate in our Gaspar Leather Lumber Jacket, our coat is made from the finest grain vegetable tanned taurine that is crafted to last and develop with time.
Each Gaspar Jacket is a symbol for us of resilience as it showcases the beauty, dimensions, and complexity of our black obsidian coloring while highlighting prove scars and stories worn into it. We furnished this jacket with a minimal aesthetic and platinum finish zippers for a truly subtle stand out. Each stitch and pattern is handmade to distinguish our craftsmanship while not detracting from the functionality and form.
One of our favorite pieces from the Classic Collection - this leather jacket brings us back to our roots, and reminds us that the things that last are often those that hold true while moving forward.
Thank You.
Outside Sources:
Gaspar Yanga
The Mackinaw Coat