Reinvigorated for the future, the Perfecto, colloquially known as the biker jacket, is making a fierce comeback thanks to Colette and a slew of fresh designs from some of the world’s bravest designers. From life on the road to the back of the rock star, the iconic Perfecto has played an omnipresent role in fashion and style a paradigm befitting a rebellious, sometimes dangerous, outlawish character. First designed in 1915 in the US by label Schott, the Perfecto has since become synonymous with a myriad glamour, a tangible symbol for fashionistas existing a little to the left of the centre.

Originally designed for the road, the Perfecto’s first aim is to protect the body, with diagonal zippers and padding to protect the torso and a transforming collar to rival the buffeting wind. For A/W 09, the Perfecto can be found at Colette in a plethora of new materials and new interpretations thanks to the likes of Tom Ford, Gareth Pugh, William Rast and Yves Saint Laurent for men and Balmain, Alexander Wang, Hussein Chalayan, Louise Gray, Phi, Philip Lim, Erin Wasson x RVCA, William Rast, Yves Saint Laurent for women. Two limited edition pairs of shoes designed by Repetto and inspired by the Perfecto will also be available exclusively at Colette from September.