His and Hers
Dainese has long successfully straddled the difficult line between high motorcycle fashion and purely technical wear. Its latest masterwork, the Tattoo Ykz jacket, is a tour de force of sophisticated production technique and masterful design creativity.
Tapping the wellspring of Samurai and Maori cultural and artistic sophistication, Australian artist Luca Ionesco designed the Tattoo Ykz to present the rider as a timeless warrior. Purchasers of this elite jacket are invited into an exclusive club. Owners register the jacket online and, in return, are presented with a booklet that shares the philosophy of Dainese’s Tattoo Project: the concept of the aesthetics of technology.
The jacket is manufactured using a sophisticated laser system that combines white kangaroo skin and synthetic Lorica in a single layered unit. The next processes of working and stitching create the tattoo effect, as patterns on the Lorica are stripped away to reveal the design. The result is as stunning in person as it is in theory.
As a men’s riding jacket, the Tattoo Ykz is flawless. The supple leather is perforated on the side for ventilation, and an integrated interior 3D-Bubble liner houses insulating air chambers that execute the dual duties of providing warmth in the winter while breathing in the summer. Removable composite protection in the elbows and shoulders provide peace of mind while riding, and can then be banished when visiting a local nightspot. Velcro cuffs and waist buckles allow for a custom fit, while an interior pocket is ideal for a cell phone and wallet.
For feminine riders, Dainese offers the Dominia Pelle Lady-which features classic, reserved styling with modern touches. The Kingsland cowhide leather is supple to the touch and, when combined with stretch fabric inserts, the jacket is comfortable right off the rack. Protection is minimal in its standard configuration; however, there is a pocket for the Dainese BackSpace G1 or Wave 1 back protectors. The cut is flattering, and details such as the metallic zipper pulls with the demon logo remind the owner that she is wearing a high-quality, fashion-savvy motorcycling garment.
