Celebrating Jose Luis’s Favorite Designs
J.L. Rocha Collections
Celebrating Jose Luis’s Favorite Designs
Since we celebrated Jose-Noel in our last post for his birthday - in honor of Father’s Day: this post celebrates Jose Luis Rocha, our founder, and his favorite styles made for J.L. Rocha Collections over the last 10 years.
Favorite Designs by Jose Luis
Jose Luis Rocha began designing leather goods in his youth as a designers apprentice in Leon, Guanajuato many years ago. After migration and success in the United States, in 2012 he created J.L. Rocha Collections with his son & partner Jose-Noel Rocha. While Jose-Noel directs the majority of marketing efforts, Jose Luis collaborates with the technical elements of production in Mexico while ensuring the highest level of client appreciation in our Showroom in San Diego California. Both father and son have created multiple designs across the years, and we’ve compiled some of Jose Luis’s favorite designs to date. We’ve split JL’s favorites into two categories: available and sold out pieces.
Read the full blog post below to see his selections:
J.L. Rocha’s Favorites
Designer, Father, Owner
JL’s Favorite Jackets
Favorite Available: The Aventura Field Jacket Jacket in Walnut
Inspired by the M-16 Military Jacket: The Aventura Field Jacket is a waist length Lambskin Trench Style Jacket made to accommodate any adventure. Four functional button clasp pockets as well as interior compartments provide the intrepid luxe traveler space for every need, and coverage against wind in a lightweight leather.
Why it’s a favorite:
“The aventura is perfect for men of any size, as the design elongates the torso while leaving multiple options for how to style between the storm guard buttons, belt, and zipper. I love it for the California coastal Winters.”
- Jose Luis Rocha
Favorite Sold Out: The Leather Front Leisure Racer in Honey.
Made for lasting comfort and elegance, the Leather Front Leisure Racer is one of our original designs that proves timeless style is always in fashion. The knitted back provides breathable comfort accented with rugged sturdiness of a leather front and matching elbow pads.
Why it’s a favorite:
“I love this jacket for its versatility but also for the memories. This design commemorates the first collaboration between my son and I - as a piece that has lasted through the years, it carried special memories with me and shines with a gorgeous patina.”
- Jose Luis Rocha
JL’s Favorite Travel Bags
Favorite Available: The Honey Calfskin Portfolio
The staple of any elegant entrepreneur is how he treats his supplies. On-the-go office hours are made easy when you carry your essentials in the honey calfskin portfolio. While there are still a few available in honey, the black version quickly left our site, and is housed in many exclusive personal collections.
Why it’s a favorite:
“This portfolio had been incredibly helpful since we released it. Since I travel so much, it is the perfect holster for my travel laptop, iPad, and notepad - as well as corresponding cables. It has become for me a true travel companion that focuses on the essentials.”
- Jose Luis Rocha
Favorite Sold Out: The Angel Bag in Cognac
The first iteration of our Guanajuato Weekender that inspired the design. Featuring a thicker density than the modernized and sleeker version, the Angel Weekender Bag established our entry into the realm of luxury travel bags while highlighting the quality of leather used.
Why it’s a favorite:
“The patina, that’s the key reason I love this bag. Over the years the leather has become more malleable and supple while still retaining the sturdiness necessary for adventurous travel. I just love when beautiful things are enhanced through use.”
- Jose Luis Rocha
JL’s Favorite Shoes
Favorite Available: The Moderno Chelsea Boot in Midnight
A unique take on a classic style, the Moderno Chelsea Boot highlights the handmade qualities of our leather combined with our Artisans handmade attention to detail. We created a unique ombré detailing by combining a petrol blue vegetable tanned leather with an onyx hand painted burnishing that creates unique variations on midnight blue through each product.
Why it’s a favorite:
“I’ve always loved blue shoes, they strike me as a unique way of being subtly creative while also staying elegant. They also go well with the very outfit and color from browns to blacks and even all the way to white. Additionally, while not a motorcycle boot I love wearing the Moderno Boot when I ride.”
- Jose Luis Rocha
Favorite Sold Out: The Baroque Hand Cut Lace-Up
In 2014, when our brand made its debut for San Diego Fashion Week - our family created a unique custom run of dark brown lace up dress shoes with hand cut tooled baroque accents. This extremely special edition shoe was made in 14 pairs - and has never been reproduced, making it a truly special collectors item for the dapper gentleman.
Why it’s a favorite:
“A shoe that is the pinnacle of luxury, I am incredibly proud of it. Wearing this shoe not only reminds me of the craftsmanship my father focused on, but also of the community we’ve built. All our efforts are based around our family and our community, the unique hand cut details remind me of the intimate nature of our brand - inspiring me each time I see the detailing.”
- Jose Luis Rocha
Closing Notes:
From Jose Luis Rocha
I don’t often think of the past and the designs we’ve made, I like to focus on the future as well as the improvements we can create back home. Reflecting on our history and remembering how far we’ve come has been a wonderful experience; and hopefully we can continue to connect as a brand and family without community as we grow and focus on the future of J.L. Rocha Collections.
My gratitude is ever present to our community that allows me through their support: the blessings of honoring my fathers legacy, while building a lasting one with my son centered around quality, history, ethics, and individuality.
- Thank You / Gracias