Some garments transcend their original purpose. Designed for function, shaped by necessity, they quietly move from utility to uniform and, eventually, to icon. Schott’s CWU bomber jacket is one of them. Now, the brand is teaming up with Octobre Éditions on a limited edition iteration.
First developed in the 1950s for US Air Force pilots, the CWU bomber was engineered to withstand speed, altitude and extreme conditions inside the cockpit. Its nylon shell, cropped silhouette and high-visibility orange lining were about protection, not aesthetics. Style came later, almost by accident. Decades on, the jacket has become a cross-generational staple.
Now, French menswear label Octobre Éditions is paying tribute to the original through a limited-edition collaboration with American outerwear specialist Schott NYC.
The Octobre x Schott CWU bomber’s proportions, structure and spirit remain largely untouched. The jacket is issued in a single navy colourway, lined with Schott’s signature orange, and crafted from durable nylon – now offered in a recycled version.
Where Octobre steps in is through subtle refinement and reworking: a custom patch, discreet co-branding and considered detailing that nods to the French brand’s minimalist, timeless approach to menswear.
“At Octobre, we believe in timeless pieces,” said Arthur Person, director of Octobre Éditions. “Pieces that last and never go out of style. The Schott CWU is one of them. Octobre’s role wasn’t to change it – only to bring a fresh perspective and to shape a new chapter in its story.”
The collaboration speaks to a broader moment in fashion, where heritage, durability and authenticity are once again gaining ground. It’s not a jacket designed to chase trends, but one that reminds us why some never needed to.
The Octobre x Schott NYC CWU bomber launches today, in limited quantities, available via Octobre-editions.com and in select boutiques, including the Octobre Marylebone location.
This comes just weeks after Octobre’s sister brand, Sézane, launched a third collaboration with New York-based fashion brand Sea, proving collaborative collections are at the forefront of their retail strategy. Blending Sézane’s French ease with Sea’s intricate detailing, the collection spans embroidery, lace, crochet and patchwork across a tightly edited range.