Glamazon in Faux Fur | Lithuanian designer Bomber Jackets
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2026-09-04
Long before bomber jackets were crafted from satin, velvet, faux fur, and various other textiles, there existed only the original flight jacket created for the US Air Force, codenamed the MA-1.
During her concert tour across military bases, Marilyn Monroe frequently wore a cropped earlier iteration of the bomber jacket (the B-15C), significantly contributing to popularizing the bomber as a glamorous piece of womenswear.
By the mid-1960s, US aviator bombers—specifically the iconic MA-1 model with its emergency-orange lining—gained such widespread popularity that military uniform manufacturers began exporting them to clothing retailers across Europe.
Over the following decade, bomber silhouettes gradually shed their strict military connotations, and the traditional sage-green nylon fabric gave way to a diverse array of alternative textiles.
French designer Thierry Mugler was among the trailblazers who dared to introduce synthetic and technical fabrics into haute couture.
His vision of womanhood bypassed the bourgeois lady in natural mink in favor of a new superheroine—dubbed the „Glamazon“ by fashion critics—clad in modern synthetic textiles.
In the 1980s, faux fur was predominantly viewed as an inexpensive substitute for genuine fur, but Mugler rejected mere imitation. Instead, he boldly championed the unique qualities of synthetic pelt, engineering vivid, oversized, pop-art-inspired bomber jackets.
Renowned fashion critic Suzy Menkes observed that Mugler's oversized bombers were clear precursors to the emerging „power dressing“ movement.
While Thierry Mugler's expressive, intensely theatrical fashion was embraced by musicians and celebrities, it rarely crossed over directly into everyday streetwear—with his faux-fur bombers standing out as a notable exception.
The juxtaposition of a dramatic, oversized jacket paired with narrow trousers remains a timeless silhouette today, as does faux fur, which now holds a firm presence across both luxury fashion and street style.
Prior to establishing himself as a fashion designer, Thierry Mugler trained as a professional ballet dancer.
It was perhaps this deep, embodied understanding of human movement that granted him the intuition to recognize the sartorial potential of original bomber jackets, initially designed around the functional movement of a pilot seated in a cramped cockpit.
It is estimated that over 50 million original military bomber jackets were produced before MA-1 production officially ceased in the 1980s. The count of subsequent fashion interpretations created over these decades of enduring popularity remains beyond measure.
In this edition, we present three bomber-inspired jackets, including a notable faux-fur interpretation.
All Bomber Jackets by Lithuanian Designers
Milky White Cashmere Bomber
This bomber-style cardigan sits gracefully between a sweater and a tailored jacket.Spun from an unlined blend of 70% cashmere and 30% merino wool, it offers exceptional softness and a subtle, comfortable stretch.
Featuring a cropped silhouette, a tapered waist, and twin front pockets, its jacket-inspired structure brings an elevated ease to daily layering.
THREE IDEAS: Essential Black
„...when I didn't know what color to turn to, I used black. Black is a force: I used black as a ballast to simplify the composition,“ remarked Henri Matisse, who boldly broke from the Impressionist dogma that rejected pure black.Black is a multifaceted tone—simultaneously arrogant and modest, making it utterly indispensable.
Here are three black wardrobe essentials selected for early autumn.
Minimalist Wool Bomber
This wool jacket reflects a refined synthesis of iconic bomber tailoring and Eastern minimalist design principles.Crafted from an 80% wool blend with full lining, its straight-cut silhouette delivers a clean, purist aesthetic.
Faux-Fur Bomber
Inspired by the classic bomber profile, this statement jacket is crafted from plush faux fur with a 40% cotton content.Featuring a straight cut, high collar, wide sleeves, and a smooth viscose lining, it transitions effortlessly between expressive evening looks and relaxed weekend wear.
