Marlon Brando
When we think of a classic motorcycle leather jacket carried by one with a rebellious and radical attitude, one name stands tall above all is no other than Marlon Brando. Being a renowned Hollywood actor and a symbol of resistance and rebellion, Brando’s portrayal as an unruly and defiant motorcycle rider / biker in the Hollywood movie “The Wild One” marked a history on cinema’s big screen. And not only that, the style he portrayed became forever associated with the leather jackets combined with a bold and rebellious attitude value added with nonconformity and buoyancy.
Back in 1953, Brando portraying the role of “Johnny Strabler” carried a black motorcycle leather jacket in the Hollywood blockbuster film, “The Wild One”. Brando’s portrayal of his attire turned out to be a transition from traditional formal suits for men, which were always typically seen on the screens. Johnny’s central character had the radiation of rebellious, boisterous and rowdy energies combined in one sole character. After the film’s success, Brando as “Johnny Strabler” became an epitome of defiance and rebelliousness, and his legendary jacket symbolized the same energy.
The central character of Johnny wore a biker leather jacket, and it was taken as an act of revolution. A revolution to bring change in industry’s norms by utterly rejecting refined clothing and attire, and in place of that, Johnny wore a leather outerwear piece that signified ruggedness and roughness. It was a direct attempt to challenge the existing norms and standards, and not everyone is bold enough to do it unless you are Marlon Brando! And by doing it successfully, he introduced a whole new concept of an antihero, who would continue to exist with its eccentricity and oddness.
Right after the film was released, it became a hit. Along with the film, Brando leather jacket instantly became a symbol of audacity, boldness and defiance. It successfully imprinted such a notion on the entire generation. Young individuals looking for a change and fighting for their rights took Johnny’s legendary character as an inspiration to lock horns with authority depriving them of their rights. Even by today, Brando leather jacket has been a representation of freedom, liberty and personal choice. It drives by the desire to break free and shackle the hurdles.
To sum up, Marlon Brando’s portrayal of the rebellious character of Johnny Strabler successfully put the classic mens motorcycle black leather jacket forward to new heights of fame and recognition. It was indeed a bold move to drop the traditional classic attire and to don a leather jacket as a symbol of defiance and originality, but he eventually did that successfully. Brando’s character was a personification of rebellion and fearlessness, and his leather jacket carried a perfectly synchronized with the same spirit. Even today, the Brando leather jacket serves as a symbol of freedom with a desire to break free from the typical societal restrictions.
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