Chain Stitch Jacket

agent-provocateur
I purchased this black lacy cardigan from NastyGal, a vintage store run by Sophia Amoruso (clearly a boss a with good taste). Nasty Gal has become one of my favorite vintage shops on the web.
cardigan
This nude bodysuit is from Agent Provocateur. I am a sucker for lacy, dainty lingerie but I found the embroidered pattern on this different from typical lingerie embellishments.
bodysuitcloseup

Corded silk charmeuse stitched onto webby strings.
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Half of a double breasted jacket muslin with lapels..I shouldn’t have drawn on the muslin but needed to figure out where I’d patch n’ slice my leather.
muslin

Here I’m using black leather and a “crocodile” relief leather.
leather

This leather jacket was inspired by Sally from Nightmare before Christmas….here a screenshot from the movie…
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Each piece of leather was cut and sewed with chains. You may remember my other chain jacket The chained stitches on this jacket are also a more magnified version of normal sized thread stitches.
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You may notice the pendant I’m wearing in the previous photos. The necklace actually came with an order of a Crazylibellule solid perfume sticks that I am liking very much. The scents are inexpensive and I am taking a break from the normal “spray on” perfume routine. These are really easy to apply.

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Category: Fashion | Tags: 134 comments »

134 Responses to “Chain Stitch Jacket”

  1. La

    Wow. Just. Wow.

    My favorite leather jacket is pieced together in a similar fashion, but not with chains, and it’s cropped. I love the varied textures in the piece. Gorgeous.

  2. Farah

    FIRST!!!
    Completey blown away by your workmanship and attention to detail.
    You are the man, Ji. You are the man. I would totally rock your clothes.

  3. thehautepursuit

    I love how you drew inspiration from that movie! I think I’ve watched that movie a million times and i can totally see Sally re-sewing her arm on if I just close my eyes….I just realized that your bodysuit has barbwire on it! Fancy that! Great project again….you make everything look so clean and simple…thanks for the inspiration!
    V

  4. selena

    WOW. everytime i’m blown away by what you come up with! how long did it take you to do the jacket? is it heavier than your last chain jacket?

    and now i’m going to check out that vintage store!

    xx

  5. Denise

    Ahaha I almost bought that bodysuit too! This is a great jacket… reminds me of the double breasted blazer Alexander Wang did for Fall ‘09 with the leather sleeves somehow… but of course this one is way better and probably fits better too!

    How do you find such large pieces of leather to work with? The only reliable store here in Los Angeles is Mood, but I don’t think they even sell such large pieces…

  6. apparellel

    okay you are seriously a genius!! this is a gorgeous work of art. i want to frame all of your creations!
    xxx
    t

  7. Brooke

    You are amazing. This jacket is beautiful. I love the finishes on all of your creations :)

  8. Nicole

    This is my first time actually posting a comment, but I wanted to know what the process is that ultimately brings you to the final product. You said that this jacket was inspired by Sally from Nightmare, but was it something you thought of immediately when you were actually watching the movie, or do you think about your project say when you are daydreaming (project-dreaming)? Once you have a general idea of how you are going to execute a project, is it an all out search for the perfect items, or do you take your time letting the items (for example, the types of leather, or the right chain) find you? Also, do you keep a list of all of your ideas, I do that, but unlike you, they hardly ever come to reality.
    Jacket is absolutely breathtaking keep up the amazing work!

  9. Sputnik Sweetheart

    Very intricate piece of work, it’s so you :)

  10. adam

    hey! i love what you’re doing with fashion, and I love your food photography as well..I think you may remember me..

  11. donna

    best jacket I’ve ever seen in my life…..

  12. Farren

    the pattern on the lingerie looks like barbed wire. =)

  13. emmy

    You look amazing!!!

  14. daphne

    Love the body suit on you. And that jacket is brilliant. Love the colour of the fake crocodile. Love the photo of you sewing your sleeve up. Beautiful.

  15. Catherine

    I have the very same AP bodysuit and ah… I love it. I’m still on the lookout for the perfect opaque black cardigan to wear with it but thus far haven’t had any luck. One of my friends actually pointed me to this post (I do read your blog but i hadn’t seen this one yet) so I could get some inspiration. I love the vintage lace cardi you’ve paired it with here!

  16. Wanda

    Future-Retro! Very inspiring. I was wondering what tool you used to punch all of those holes? Can’t wait to see what you create next!

  17. S

    that is badass

  18. megan

    omfg i love nastygal and sophia. my friend alex models for her sometimes. so glad you’re a devotee as well.

  19. Jara

    I love the inspiration of the jacket. Nightmare before christmas is my favourite movie. I always love your creativity.

  20. lucinda

    While I’m not wild about the technique on a jacket (the final shape feels bulky) I love your idea of using chain ’stitches’ on leather. Of course, the jacket looks impeccably realised as usual.

  21. Robyn

    excuse while i pick my jaw up, and off the floor.

  22. Robyn

    *oops… i meant excuse *me*

  23. Sophie

    Killing it!!!!!

  24. Eunice

    Damn, girl. Your skills just keep getting better exponentially. Can’t wait for when a whole collection comes out! ;)

  25. midori

    HOLY CRAP that’s even more grommet-intensive than your lace up pants! the very thought of punching all those holes makes my head spin.

    this is an amazingly edgy take on patchwork!

  26. Brigadeiro

    Sacre bleu! You are unbelievable!!!

  27. Mani

    … WOW. not just because i love the nightmare before christmas, but that jacket!!

  28. Russell

    …to be worn while listening to Alice in Chains…

    I also love the barbwire embroidery!

  29. FlashFash

    COOLIO!

  30. Lisa

    Why are you so amazing?

    http://sippli.blogspot.com/

  31. shelley

    please tell me who, how much, and where I can get those AMAZING shoes!!

  32. Cobra

    Okay, I’ll admit it. Normally, I don’t enjoy the fashion posts as much, though I do find them interesting. I tend to prefer the food posts instead. (But I’ve been known to enjoy some of the fashion posts from time to time just because what’s being shown is so unique.)

    However, this jacket…. I LOVE this jacket. Period. I love the concept and I love the execution. Way to win me over on a fashion post! I’m not sure if it’s the use of chains or the styling of the patches, but something about this really appeals to me.

    Very nice job. :)

  33. Jazzi M

    fantastic!!! obsessed. barbed wire lace and stitched up skin/leather? waaay more badass than studs & spikes any day.

  34. diane

    Even if Sally is a fictional character, she is really a muse! I remember making a doll on my own, it was so much fun…
    Anyway I think that chain is really a material that we can explore! i love how you use it. At this time, I’m making a cage skirt with chain, i don’t know why, but i never had so much fun making clothes (must be because I’m angry at my swing machine…)
    love your work!!

  35. gema

    i only can say that every time i check your blog i fall in love with it..
    the cuisine posts are my favorite but your DIYs are amazing! u’r really good with everything you touch!
    (Did u hear the new? Ferran Adrià will close ElBulli for three years to prepare the new menú!!)
    Thank you and congratulations for your blog, a big hug from barcelona luxirare :)

  36. sueisfine

    the jacket looks rather bulky from behind… with quite a different, more streamlined impression from the front. perhaps you were playing with the proportions?

  37. anastassia

    I rubbed my eyes after i saw the bustier just to make sure I saw the pattern right. Ha! Its such a great find. The jacket is really cool too, but the snake print leather throws me off. For some reason makes me think of polish ladies wearing leopard inset jeans.

    P.S. not sure if you know about this store or not but it defs seems very you.
    http://candynippon.blogspot.com/

  38. Elene

    The jacket is so amazing that I almost want to cry. Your clothing gets better and better with each post.
    This particular work of yours with leather has nothing to envy those of Hermes artisans. The level of detail and the stitching is incredibly perfect.

    I only hope that if you ever sell some of your work, I have saved enough to buy me a piece. It’s a true work of art.

  39. Shini

    ARGHHH if I was stuck on an island with you, you will have to learn how to swimm..really love that the jacket was inspired by Sally, do you keep a needle and chain in your hair too :D ?

  40. Warbaby

    Genius!

  41. Josh

    One day, I wish to be able to afford a Luxirare commision! Will be very proud to wear one of your originals. Made with a lot of hard work and dedication, as with this!

  42. Alicia - Sea Of Ghosts

    I feel so awkward totally drooling but mother FUCK you’re a genius. GENIUS. Amazing again!

  43. VeggieGirl

    Gorgeous construction!

  44. Punkie

    WOW!

  45. TPS

    I’m going to sound like a broken record: YOU ARE AMAZING!!!

  46. xb

    first time commenting – holy crap that is a sweet jacket. it’s a crime that you’re not a big-time designer in the fashion world, seriously. i know you do it for yourself, but it’s true.

  47. luxirare

    I used to have “Dreams” about being a designer and then HAHA I grew up and realized I’m a total nobody!

  48. judy aldridge

    Sally is the ultimate Heroine! I love her. The jacket is divine–I want one!

  49. Lijie

    Bravo for the chains and the Y-incision looking cut at the back! The chains looked like stripe shoe laces at first though, haha. Does the stick perfume works as well/as strong as a spray on one?

  50. NinjaYanni

    I AM IN LOVE.

    If I ever get off my ass and learn to sew, I will definitely want to be like you. This is beautiful. I love the whole outfit. :D

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  52. Cece

    AMAZING!!!! I get the process, just stumped on the lining. How did you manage that?
    Can you elaborate a little more?

  53. newyorketc

    wow, if i owned a fashion house you would totally be my designer. do you sell these ? this is such a mystery to me that someone is actually able to both design and create the way you do, chapeau bas lady.

  54. Audrey

    Such a beautiful jacket. Love the chain details even along the lapel edge, sleeves & hem.

  55. midori

    looking at the post again I realize that there weren’t any grommets, they’re just (very neatly punched!) holes. i think the shiny shiny of the chains distracted me or something haha.

    this is why i always read over your posts twice–i always miss someting!

  56. Charlotte&Céline

    amazing jacket…
    We love the shoes!!

    xoxo
    CHARLOTTE&CELINE:
    HTTP://INITIALSCC.BLOGSPOT.COM
    HTTP://INITIALSCC.BLOGSPOT.COM

  57. luxirare

    yea there aren’t any grommets. Grommets with these would have been overkill, because the chain already attracts too much attention.

  58. luxirare

    An e-commerce store is underway. I didn’t realize how hard it was to build a decent e-commerce store with good merchandise, but yes all the details need to be worked out before I’m ready to open up shop. Its coming though!

  59. luxirare

    yes, I believe so. I like it better because the scent is much subtler.

  60. luxirare

    thank you veggieGirl!

  61. Sandrine

    Thanks so much for all the hard work and for posting on a blog for us. I am not sure if you realize how outstanding your blog is, it’s the most beautiful I have seen in his category. The pictures, the aesthetics are so beautiful and powerful, it really moves me, sometimes I feel I could cry over some of your pictures :-D . Well done and thanks, c’est magnifique.

  62. Berex

    Luxi

    wow your awesome…….. I love all outfit……

    thankx again

    xoxox B!

    PS: you make us smile

  63. sarah lee

    do you do this all by yourself?

    you’re so talented and very inspirational.

    SHOW US YOUR FACE! lol

  64. Andrew J

    I just wanted to say that this is my first visit to your website (though I’m not sure how I’m JUST now getting to it) and it is beyond words beautiful. This jacket is poetry in fabric form. Simply amazing. Great work, really.

    -Andrew J.
    http://MeAndMarisa.wordpress.com

  65. Catherine

    I love your new purchases, and envy that beautiful vitnage cardigan. That leather jacket is definitely one of a kind and amazing!

  66. bijouandruby

    oh my goodness you are so creative.

    Also can i ask you what movie editing program you used on your cheese video??

  67. luxirare

    After effects

  68. Carla

    amazing jacket

  69. fashion roadkill

    Incredible jacket!!!

  70. yazzy

    omg i am in LOVE! That jacket is pure awesomeness mmmm so jealous of you as usual <3

  71. uberVU - social comments

    Social comments and analytics for this post…

    This post was mentioned on Twitter by sptnikswthart: hand-made Chain Stitch Jacket http://luxirare.com/chain-stitch-jacket/ (via @luxirare)…

  72. Taegen

    I don’t love this jacket as much as your other stuff but as usual impeccable construction and use of fabric!

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  74. Kamicha

    Oh, wow again! I’m not even a huge fan of croc-embossed leather, but somehow you make it work here. The shininess of it might be slightly more subdued, though. Would love to see this jacket in worn and distressed state…

  75. Vivre

    You’re going to be fabulously famous and wealthy, and gloriously revered. You’ll have people wanting to know more about you, and about how you think. You’re going to be huge, and your other readers and I will get to boast about how we knew of your genius long before you hit it big.

    You’re seriously just a one-man show?

  76. Style (R)evolution

    You are the quintessential Style Revolution… BRILLIANT

  77. kathryn

    ugh, i wanted that barbed wire lingerie from AP so badly, but I couldn’t really justify buying it as a broke college student

  78. leesh

    you are insanely inspirational! we all love you!

  79. Natalie

    I really like your blog above all others because unlike the others who just have money and buy expensive clothes and take pictures of themselves wearing them. You actually create something. I appreciate that. You are very very talented. Hopefully when you open your store Ill be able to buy a key chain or something.

  80. Claire

    Are the leather pieces held together in any other way, or with the chains alone? Do they not move out of place, if it’s chains-only? Or is it less of a problems because of the different directions each piece is pulled in? My small experience with large-stitched leather was a nightmare in terms of keeping the edges aligned and not pulling the stitches too tight, but there were far fewer pieces involved.

  81. luxirare

    they don’t really move out of place..the chains are woven in tightly.

  82. Miss Red

    that jacket is so amazing! you are so talented. i love the placement of the stiching and the color of the croc print.

  83. M

    this blows my mind.
    you are so amazing

  84. Jody

    Wow. AMAZING site. I would buy your stuff in a heartbeat. I LOVE it.

  85. luxirare

    I started out with just thinking of the way she looked stitched up and went from there. It would have been too normal or typical to do leather patches with leather strips so I wanted to add a little twist by using the chain instead…Then I just tested it out on different pieces of leather to see what it would look like. Usually I have to see what I think will happen in my head works in real life. Sometimes what you think is possible in your head is different with what you can actually achieve.

  86. luxirare

    Me too! I love barbwire embroidered around the body and the way it sits on nude tulle.

  87. Judy

    as usual=fucking amazing!!!

  88. Rackk and Ruin

    Holy freakin’ Frankenstein!! How did you adhere the leather pieces to your muslin before punching the holes and sewing the chain?? I can see this idea taking so many different forms. . . a great shoulder bag in this style would be amazing. xx molly

  89. Caroline

    CRAZY!

    Didn’t like the shoes (although amazed that you made shoes in the first place) but they make a lot more sense to me with the jacket. Extreme shoes deserve an extreme companion. Great job, incredible construction.

    For my own selfish purposes, I still would love to see you tackle sportswear or something a girl like me can wear to the office that’s appropriate but not boring.

    Hands down your best posts are when you make things!

  90. avarine

    the textures and detail of the jacket feel good in my eyes when i look at them…. if you know what i mean.. :P

  91. ph

    hi Luxirare, loving everything as always

    I don’t know if it’s just my browser, but on your homepage I don’t see the link to your image feed or to your archives any more..

  92. luxirare

    Hi PH, its on the sidebar now. Hope that helps.

  93. Sheffie

    Hey Luxirare,

    Im curious to know where you get your Luxirare clothes labels made? so many places i’ve found have increasingly high minimum quantities. Or do you made them yourself with some crazy machine? hehe

  94. Carolyn

    Awesome product from awesome inspiration. I would loveee to make one of my own, hopefully someday….amazing job!

  95. Melissa Dominic

    Totally rad. Solid perfume! I’ve been wanting some of that for a long time. Now to find a good rosey scent!

  96. G G

    Just read a nice little mention of you on Jane’s site. Sea of shoes. Thought you might want to know, in case you missed it.
    Bon Journee!

  97. Maria Beydin

    You are seriously a genius to me. I cannot get over the fact, that you keep on making so stunning clothes, and also fabulous kinds of food. Just wanted to say, that you are a big inspiration, since I find that to be the biggest compliment one could give another :)

  98. Simone

    Incredible.
    Hands down the best style/fashion/art site on the web – for me anyway.
    I love seaofshoes etc, but for somebody with a HUGE passion for fashion, art, photography, anything creative (can’t cook but i like eating & appreciate your skills!) LUXIRARE you blow my mind…and more importantly show me, step by step how I could attempt to do these creative things in my everyday life with no training or background…you inspire me to TRY to bring the elements of life I am passionate about but feel I am ‘not good enough’ for and JUST DO IT.

    I want to say THANK YOU SO MUCH for all the time and effort you put into the posts for your readers, the practical details you give that help others (some of us do not know how to punch a hole in leather & I though a grommet was slang for a young Aussie surfer) and for re-igniting my love for creating, making me think I can try my hand, if nothing else but for fun & experimentation.
    You really are such an inspiration, and a true artist.

    Having worked alongside designers for a worldwide, mega successful brand, you have more ideas and creativity in your little finger than they did in the whole building. However, your ideas and execution exude control and perfection – you are couture, for sure! Anybody can be a ‘designer’ these days, more is the pity.

    Thank you again, wholeheartedly, for revamping my jaded and faded view on fashion.
    Bisous

  99. Joey

    I just wanted to say for the record, that I rarely swear. But looking through this post literally had me screaming “What The Fuck” in my head the entire time. This is the most amazing thing I have EVER seen. The Croc + leather + chain is UNREAL. I am so utterly and completely in love. I think if I had this jacket, I would just run around wearing nothing but the jacket.

    I cannot express my love for you or the jacket enough. I had to skip part of the post because I just had to exclaim my love immediately but I am going back to slowly go over it again. I am SOO in love. I wish I could buy this. I wish I had a million dollars to offer you to buy this.

  100. luxirare

    It will be up in the store if you are ready to make that purchase. This will be a one-off piece and will not be reproduced again.

    Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts it gets me excited to know that you’re into it!

  101. luxirare

    I love seaofshoes too. Its my favorite blog along with Stylebubble, yes those are two blogs I always check on a daily basis. I never believe in not doing something just because I am not good enough. Of course I will never be in the same league as Karl Lagerfeld or Vionnet..or Chanel…I will never achieve 1/8 of what they have in their life but why should that stop anyone from doing what they want to do? I’m glad you enjoy the posts and they bring some fun into your day! Thats what fashion and food are about.

  102. DONTFORGETTHEY

    $%^&*()&^%$#$%^&*(*&^%$#@#$%^&*(!@#$%^&)(*!@#$%^&*

    where is the Buy It Now button?

  103. Eimear

    That is literally the most incredible jacket i have seen, took my breath away, you are gifted!!

  104. La

    Was just paging through the latest Elle and happened across a spread featuring a Balmain dress right in the center that is highly reminiscent of this jacket. Spot on.

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  106. Caroline

    Have you heard?

    http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/12/el-bulli-to-close-permanently/?hp

  107. FASHION SNAG

    I love the jacket! Amazing job! xo

    http://www.FashionSnag.com

  108. Tin

    This post is just completely mind-blowing. I am so envious of your incredible talent and skill to create something like this…the leather + croc + chains is AMAZING. I can’t even express how much in awe I am at this creation.

    x

  109. luxirare

    Tin, thanks so much for your comment.

  110. eszter

    i have no words for this hun.maybe stunning says it all.the jacket is genius.again.
    when will we be able to buy your designs?is there something in the making?i am still a sucker for those denim chain shorts for example.i would be a customer for sure.tell me it will be possible!
    and yeah, i also think nasty gal is one of the best online shops.sophia is definitely on point with her choices.
    hope you had a nice weekend dear!
    xxo

  111. Mari

    Hey the jacket looks amazing! Where do you buy your leather?

  112. La

    And the same Balmain dress I commented about just appeared on the cover of Elle. Oh if only I had your talent and resources to make my own..

  113. La

    I mean Harper’s Bazaar, not Elle.

  114. Constance Victory

    Please take a look at the hand bag collection. It’s the aesthetic marriage of Gothic style with a Victorian edge. Exotic skin patchwork is decorated with Swarovski crystallized elements. The collection was launched in Milan during F/W fashion week ‘09.

    Bags&Kisses,
    Constance Victory

  115. Christine

    you really are truely talented! I look forward to your posts. truly truly inspiring!!!

  116. AGOS

    wowwww i can´t belive what you do is ameising!!!
    you have such an imaginationn thatt is unbelivablee haha
    sorry for my luck of vocabulary is because i´m from argentina
    bye

    girll you are a fucking geniusss!!! haha

  117. jade

    So fetichist.. love it
    http://parisiangirlinshanghai.blogspot.com/

  118. Mari

    I was wondering if you might be able to do a post on beginner’s clothes – making. Nothing too specific, just the basic resources, budget, and materials you need, and maybe some tips on what you should learn?

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  120. noelle chantal

    hi! wow, its my first time here and i must say i really liked your posts from food to clothes -very inspirational! i got a comment that my recent post looked like your’s, so i was immediately curious and hunted Luxirare. and i was blown away seeing some of your recent posts! you are so talented and i love your creative ideas. plus the photos are so wonderful here. will be back here again for sure! :)

    going to check out your other posts now.

  121. Mabel and Zora

    The perfume sticks are genius.

  122. Cocoe Row

    Is it too late to ask where you got your chains from? Love your art by the way!

  123. ros

    WOW this jacket is super badass!

  124. SarahJayne @ Goldmine Trash

    Hell yeah girl! This is amazing.

  125. Ashley

    this is my first time posting but i want to say that your talent is crazy amazing! i always look forward to your clothes and food posts- especially the food ones! your level of creativity is rarely seen in the blog world.

    i LOVE the agent provocateur piece. so delicate, but great contrast with the barbed wire embroidery. we share a love for nasty gal vintage. so well edited.

  126. isis

    it baffles me how amazing all of this is.

  127. Mia

    Where are your shoes from please?

  128. luxirare

    They are my own shoes, I made them.

  129. Tanya

    OMG I Love your style it’s so unique and gorgeous, it just screams my personality, I like to search for/buy unique clothes, and wear them(of course), and I’m a designer as well (no where near as good as you and I’m just at amateur status right now, thank you for inspiring me btw) very unique things, and I love that leather/crocodile jacket, I HAVE to have it! I read in an earlier post that you were planning on opening up a store? if so when do you think it will be open? And will there be an online store as well? Just asking because I live in Florida and from your blog I assume you are from California? =)

  130. Erin

    WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW is RIGHT!!!!!!!! mmmmmm

  131. MIA

    The shoes are beautiful. I have been looking at your blog and you make spectacularly gorgeous clothes, I was wondering if you sold them anywhere?

  132. lindsey

    Those must be the most unflattering shoes I have ever seen in my life. I am all about unique and crazy pieces but those shoes are just plain ugly. Why wear something if it doesn’t look good?? What’s the point

  133. luxirare

    Sincere apologies lindsey. I can’t keep track of everyone and their tastes.

  134. K.Jaedon

    Wow lindsey, you’re a bitch.

    I have this post bookmarked since I’m going to be working on a leather men’s patchwork vest for class this summer and I’m always blown away by it.
    If the jacket lined? I see something that could be half lining in one of the pictures.

    Best,
    K Jaedon


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