Dainese Leather Motorcycle Trousers - University of Westminster

Identity area

Reference code

2020.2.3

Title

Dainese Leather Motorcycle Trousers

Date(s)

nd [1972-1990] (Creation)

Level of description

Item

Extent and medium

1

Context area

Name of creator

Dainese S.p.A.

(1968-)

Administrative history

The idea for the business began in 1968 when Lino Dainese was inspired by seeing the leathers motorcyclists wore in London. He founded the company in Molvena, Vincenza, Italy to design and make protection for motorbike riders. The first piece manufactured was a pair of motocross trousers in 1972.

They have since developed a wide range of innovative protective products including back protectors, knee sliders, helmets and air-bag protection for motorcyclists. In the 1990s they moved into designing for mountain biking, snowboarding and alpine skiing and in 2011, horse riding. Their air-bag technology has been further developed under the D-air® trademark for motorcycling and skiing.

With the Massachusetts Institute of Technology they developed Biosuit®, prototype pressure suit for astronauts. In collaboration with the European Space Agency they have designed the SkinSuit® for astronauts to wear inside the International Space Station.

Repository

Westminster Menswear Archive

Archival history

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Black leather motorcycle trousers with wide white leather stripes, edged in red leather, down the outside of each leg (part of a suit, top missing). They have a black elastic waistband which has been woven with 'DAINESE' in red. Sewn around the bottom of the waistband where it meets the main part of the trouser is one half of a metal zip with pull and tab where the top part of the suit would have attached. The trousers fasten with a metal popper and a zip fly (without placket). The front trouser knees are padded with an oval shaped piece of black leather. The over the lower back is a section of horizontal narrow pleats. The back crotch is reinforced with an oval shaped piece of black leather. Each leg has a long vertical zip fastening up the back of the calf.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Conditions governing reproduction

Language of material

Script of material

Language and script notes

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Materials: leather, elastic, metal

Finding aids

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Notes area

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Subject access points

Sport

Item 2020.2.3 - Dainese Leather Motorcycle Trousers