A jacket made by Lewis Leathers is on my definite to-buy list as these fit perfectly to my old Triumph bike, so I'm following them on FB to get all the news and info.
I was amazed that they posted on FB yesterday that they made Vader's leather suit. Mollo contacted them there before the filming of ANH. Maybe someone from London could visit their store and ask for more info? I always thought Berman's & Nathan's made the suit (?).

Wow, that would be GREAT if they still had that pattern, huh?!!

Nice score!!!

If they really made that suit they would still have the patterns.

I hope they do. When the rocker and punk scene slowly died out they nearly went bankrupt. I have no idea whether Derek found all the patterns for the classic jackets when he took over. I think he took old jackets aport to get the patterns and recreate the classic designs they sell now. But I could be wrong.

Here's what he wrote to me:

"we had an ex-accountant from Beman's in a few years ago, he told us how Berman's had often bought from Lewis Leathers or commissioned us to make items in the past, he was there for a fair few years and retired during the 90's. He kindly made a phone call and within minutes provided me with costume designer John Mollo's number. Mr Mollo had confirmed with the people at the Starwarshelmets website that we put the body part of Vader's costume together and he also confirmed to me that Lewis Leathers certainly had a hand in costumes for The Empire Strikes Back.“

Nice to know that one of my favourite brands made my favourite co0stume of my favourite move

Here's some info about them: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_Leathers

That's pretty cool. I think I read an interview stating that Berman's and Nathan's didn't have time to finish everything, so they had to outsource, just like the vac formers had to look for outside help to get everything done. Cool to know one of the parties or THE party they outsourced to.

If I were rich I'd have them make me up a couple right now. My mannequin has a great leather suit but there's always something a little different with the real deal.

The original patterns are lost and they have also no pics from the making. But perhaps there is a small chance to get them make the boots. I will let you know.

Nick, you drive us crazy

Having them make to boots would be awesome! Maybe this will put an end to that idiotic notion that they were WW2 German Officer boots.

Wasn't that simply because that's what people thought they were until Prowse came out saying they were British riding boots, well worn?

I agree. It's been "public knowledge" for years but it's one of those idiotic bits of misinformation that refuses to die (and for whatever reason it drives me nuts, lol). True or not, I had also read that they were actually Prowse's own motorcycle boots.

Like the nonsense about Vader's belt being some bit of esoteric WW2 Fireman's gear it's baloney but because some "expert" decreed it back in the stone age of the forums it won't go away.

Sorry bump this thread after so long time but I work 100 mt away from that place.
I'll have a look and let you know.

Btw on a book I was reading that all the Vader costume were made at ILM is that true?

Since I'm not the only one bumping this. Peter Botwright of wested leather ( then leather concessionaires) also made jackets and leather work for Star Wars ( through Berman's and Nathan's )

No ILM didn't make all of the costumes the production was filmed mostly in the UK the costumes came from there. For the first movie they shot all the LM stuff in America and most of the movie in London

I actually just found the post, something that doesn't add up: they claim they made the suit ( a two piece- top and bottom ). The original is a three piece suit? ( according to Dave Prowse and the Kermit Eller )

The motorcycle boots thing came from Prowse's book, he said that for ESB they used his motorcycle boots, they had been custom made for him and he thought they were more comfortable.

I missed this thread back then. Sad that Lewis Leathers no longer has the records and pattern. Anyone know from what type of leather Vader ANH suit was made- lamb skin?

I would assume so! The gloves most certainly were. It was probably italian lamb.