This French Label Makes Leather Jackets That Cost Almost $200K

Exotic skins are typically the domain of the world's most elite and established luxury goods fashion houses. But one of the newer, under-the-radar brands with a focus on luxury leathers is the French label MJZ, founded by Los Angeles native Michael Chang. Since 2017, MJZ has quietly been making alligator and crocodile jackets for a select few: one of MJZ's made-to-measure signature styles can cost up to $166,000. To wit, there are only two MJZ boutiques in the world: one at the Ritz Paris, the other at Material Good in New York. Fashion brands that deal with these rare materials have a responsibility to produce their garments ethically, and MJZ notes on its site that its skins are "sourced from the most reputable tanneries in France and Italy." While MJZ started in menswear, this week the brand launched its first womenswear line with designer Irina Shabayeva (winner of the sixth season of Project Runway) during Paris Fashion Week. Held at Hôtel de Crillon, the show featured nine looks in all manner of shapes and styles, from a cropped shawl jacket with a matching miniskirt to traditional biker jackets and even a black-tie worthy ballgown. Click through to see highlights from the collection.