“Is cycling just a little thing with you, or are you serious?” Triumph Ad (1965)

Photo Yoshi Miyazaki (Seven Bros) ©2019

Mister Freedom® “Mulholland DRIZZLE-KING”, cachou cotton canvas.
FW2019 mfsc SURPLUS Catalog.
Made in Japan.

Back in 2009, we released a British-style riding jacket, part of a “Speed Safe Clothing For Modern Riders” story, the original Mister Freedom® Mulholland Master. That first model, issued in chocolate brown jungle cloth, was followed by a black version, re-released and updated in 2016 as part of the mfsc Anniversary Collection. That same year, an indigo jungle cloth model was also introduced.

The “Mulholland DRIZZLE-KING™” is our 2019 interpretation.

A few words on the roots of that classic design first, to “render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s”…

Today a familiar silhouette in fashionable menswear, the origins of the classic “A7 jacket” arch back to the mid 1930’s. The jacket’s design, with its instantly-recognizable slanted chest pocket and rain-proof flaps, emerged out of the UK. Originally developed by J. Barbour and Sons for the military, the jacket would later be associated with typical British motorcycle oil cloth riding gear. Similar styles from competing motor-cycling apparel brands were subsequently made available, such as wax cloth pioneer Belstaff‘s versions.
By the 1960’s recreational motorcyclists around the world, and select professional racers alike, had adopted the ‘European’ style riding gear fashion. In 1964, the US Olympic Team would give the British motorcycle jacket its Lettres of Coolness during the International Six Day Trials (ISDT), with a little push from one of the official members, rider number 278…

We got the “Mulholland” name of our humble interpretation of that classic garment from one of Los Angeles’ iconic highway, a scenic stretch of asphalt turned playground for Californian motorcycle riders, automotive speedsters and local midnight cruisers.

The Mister Freedom® Mulholland Master‘s pattern borrows heavily from vintage UK apparel, but also blends in elements of classic US military gear such as 1940’s paratrooper outfits (M-42 type) and early BU. Aero US Navy flight jackets (M-421a type). Our interpretation combines old school British moto style with American coolness, keeping the 1960’s vibe while giving the garment a contemporary fit.

Our Mulholland Master iterations have always been heavy jackets, confined to the closet for most of the year in Southern California. So we thought of adding a somewhat “light” version for 2019. We initially considered stripping the design of some of its intricate details (diamond elbow patch, complex pocket patterns, “sandwiched” lining, etc…), but decided against it. The Mulholland would stay the Mulholland, and no corners would get cut! The Japanese factory that had been producing our Mulhollands since 2009 initially turned down doing another run, but eventually agreed to the challenge again. Design-wise, we merely edited-out the removable snap-on chin strap, which proved to mostly be used as a Lost & Found staple anyways!

To shave off some of the bulkiness and weight of the early Mulholland models, we decided to substitute the heavy jungle cloth with the 13 Oz. ‘cachou’ cotton duck canvas of our popular Conductor Jacket, and to replace the traditional corduroy lining with the eye-pleasing cotton woven plaid previously featured on the Dune Buggy Jacket. The result is still a hefty coat of about 4 Lbs (!) but a bit more versatile and So Cal-friendly, without falling into the contemporary fashiony versions.

WAXING: We are only issuing the DRIZZLE-KING™ in its raw, untreated form. The canvas is not water-repellent, and some owners might opt to wax the jacket as a DIY project. We will soon publish a brief video recap of the waxing process of an early DRIZZLE-KING prototype on the MF® Youtube account, but please be warned that it is a real endeavor! Waxing is also a commitment, as once you start you have to finish, and there’s no un-waxing the garment. The “waxed look” is also an acquired taste, we’ve heard it referred-to quite poetically as the “homeless look”… Keep in mind that your seat companion on the plane might not get all the vintage oilcloth and cool ISDT references!
For the bold who wants to proceed, considering the potentially amazing-looking results and rewarding patina, we recommend pure natural beeswax (about 2 Lbs.), a heat gun (hair dryer won’t cut it), a bucket of elbow grease, and a lot of patience. Note that, after curing overnight, the waxed jacket will be stiff as a board if you use pure beeswax, as opposed to the usual petroleum-based commercial thornproof dressing.

The Mulholland “DRIZZLE-KING” is designed in California by MISTER FREEDOM® and produced in Japan by SUGAR CANE Co.

SPECS:

FABRIC:
Shell: Sturdy and crispy 100% cotton duck canvas, 13 Oz., selvedge, brown ‘cachou’ color, milled and dyed in Japan.
Lining: Cotton/linen blend woven plaid, indigo and white tartan.

DETAILS:
* Freely inspired by vintage classic British motorcycling apparel, 1940’s US Paratrooper jackets and other vintage military coats.
* Four front snap flap ‘rainproof’ pockets and one rear snap flap pocket, for maps/tools/documents. Top right pocket secured by concealed “Conmatic” zipper. Pockets lined with plaid fabric.
* Inside chest pocket.
* Belted, featuring a solid US-made brass police garrison buckle. (For the rowdy type, that removable belt can also turn into an instant weapon, should you and your cycle survive an encounter with a texting ‘n driving genius, for whom turn signals and rear-view mirrors are purely SUV decorative options.)
* Italian “Fiocchi” brass snaps, original manufacturer of Italian military snaps, along with their cousin counterpart Company DEWEY.
* Heavy-duty 1950’s-type US mil-specs oxidized black metal TALON zipper front closure.
* Wind flap secured by snaps.
* Stand collar with adjustable buckle strap, corduroy-lined.
* Diamond elbow patches, M-421A BU. Aero US Navy jacket-style.
* Adjustable gusset wrist snap closures.
* Tonal stitching, cotton-wrapped poly thread.
* Made in Japan.

SIZING/FIT:
The DRIZZLE-KING come raw/unwashed and is cut so that the measurements match the labeling after an initial cold soak/line dry.
We recommend our usual method for raw cotton garments:
* 30-40mn cold soak with intermittent hand agitation, in minimally-filled washing machine or bath tub.
* Spin dry cycle (if using a machine).
* Hang dry.

I wear a comfortable 38 in this coat and all other Mulholland models, with room for a thick shirt or wool sweater underneath.
We have taken the measurements to the best of our abilities. Refer to our sizing chart and remember that measurements are from the outside of the fabric.

CHART

CARE:
Please DO NOT attempt to wash this jacket in a home washing machine! You risk ruining both machine and jacket, as the DRIZZLE-KING weights a ton when wet.
Activities and frequency of wear will obviously dictate when cleaning is needed. Please use common sense with spot cleaning, or take the jacket to a professional eco-friendly cleaner. Remove the belt before cleaning.

The DRIZZLE-KING can also be hand-washed in a tub filled with cold water. Use eco-friendly detergent. Hang to dry.
IMPORTANT: Treat your zipper as you would a vintage one, rub wax to lubricate at times, and use common sense rather that brute force to zip and unzip, making sure tabs line-up when zipping.

If you have opted to wax your jacket, washing it will remove some of the wax and void the rain-proofing benefits. The jacket will have to be waxed again.

Available rinsed/pre-shrunk.
Sizes
36 Small
38 Medium
40 Large
42 X-Large
44 XX-Large

Soon available from www.misterfreedom.com, our Los Angeles red brick HQ, and fine retailers around the World.
Email sales@misterfreedom.com or call 323-653-2014 with any questions unanswered above.
Thank you for your support.

Christophe Loiron
Mister Freedom®
©2019