If you’re a fan of modern-day hip-hop or R&B, or you watched the recent Grammy Awards presentation, or especially if you caught Sunday’s Super Bowl LIX halftime show, you already know mustard isn’t just that traditional, age-old condiment that you squeeze–like racing stripes–onto your hot dog, weiner…or “banger” if you’re someone like Max Flinders.
Mustard, and especially “MUSTAAAAAAAAARRRDDDD!“, is a shout-out to renowned American record producer, disc jockey, songwriter, and music producer Dijon Isaiah McFarlane, known professionally as Mustard (and formerly as DJ Mustard).
While the inexplicably hapless Kansas City Chiefs were inside their locker room licking their wounds from the beat-down that the Philadelphia Eagles had put on them in the first half on Sunday, Mustard was on the stage alongside featured artist Kendrick Lamar. And, if you didn’t already know Mustard was on the scene, the seven yellow letters stitched on the left sleeve of his leather jacket spelled it out for you.
Even motorcycle riders and racers with the keenest of eyes probably didn’t know the specific brand of leather jacket that Mustard was wearing. It was a Vanson Leathers jacket, a legendary brand based in Fall River, Massachusetts. Many a rider from the Northeast who honed his or her road racing skills at tracks like Bridgehampton on Long Island and Bryar Motorsports (aka Loudon) in New Hampshire protected themselves with Vanson Leathers. Not only that, but Vanson leather jackets have been de rigueur during Laconia Bike Week in the Granite State for decades.
But, how did Mustard end up topping his Super Bowl ensemble with a custom Vanson Leathers jacket?
The bold, one-of-a-kind jacket was designed by DJ Mustard himself, along with Vanson’s Creative Director Davon Bean. Mustard’s jacket was inspired by the Vanson “Star” Jacket, first introduced in 1975 as the top half of a racing suit. Eventually, the Star Jacket made its way into streetwear when hip-hop artists during the 1990s transformed it into a fashion icon.
Over the past 50 years, Vanson has built custom Star Jackets for some of the most fearless names in motorsports, music, and more. Mustard’s custom Vanson paid tribute to this legacy with his own spicy twist, including mustard-yellow, navy blue, black, and white leather with “2025” stitched on one sleeve and “MUSTARD” on the other.
Want a custom, handmade-in-the-USA Vanson creation of your own? Whether you’re on the racetrack, the street, or up on the stage, they’ll build you a jacket, pants, vest, or full suit that’s as bold as you are. Give them a call at (508) 678-2000 or email them at [email protected].
