A SERAPHIN zip-up lambskin leather blouson, estimated to date from the early 1990s.
SERAPHIN is a leather factory brand founded in 1975 by Henri-Georges Zaks in Paris, France.
Operating from a historic workshop on Quai de Valmy in France—a location that has housed leather tanners and artisans since the Napoleonic era—the house maintains its commitment to traditional craftsmanship.
Today, all production takes place in-house along the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris, where 74 artisans work within a traditional leather-making atelier. Approximately 70% of production is dedicated to the SERAPHIN brand itself, with the remainder serving third-party clients.
SERAPHIN is distinguished by meticulous French craftsmanship and an ability to work with the finest materials from across the world.
The quality is held in such regard that HERMES, the apex of luxury houses, entrusts SERAPHIN with the production of its leather outerwear—a testament to the caliber of work that bears this name.
This piece is a zip-up blouson crafted from the finest lambskin available.
A French-made garment realized through uncompromising attention to detail.
The patterning and seaming reflect traditional hand-craft techniques, while the material itself represents the highest tier of leather production. It is, without qualification, a singular piece.
Deliberately restrained in its detailing, this example allows the quality of the leather to speak for itself.
It carries an unmistakable presence—refined and distinguished, distinct from the ordinary.
Though this design language could easily veer toward the masculine, SERAPHIN's sensibility and the inherent quality of the material ensure that sophistication takes precedence.
It reads as an elegant leather jacket—a natural choice for the discerning wardrobe.
The detailing is economical and purposeful: parallel zip pockets at the chest, vertical hand-warmer pockets positioned at the sides, and zip closures at the cuffs. Nothing extraneous.
The stitching at the chest pockets and cuff zippers is executed in blue thread—a deliberate departure from the rest of the seaming. This small gesture speaks to the rigor applied throughout. It is precisely what is meant by 'the divine resides in the details,' and it serves as a subtle, considered accent.
The front closure employs a full zip fastening.
The slider bears the mark of riri, a distinguished maker of zippers.
Inside the collar, a MADE IN FRANCE label confirms French manufacture.
An internal patch pocket also bears a brand tag consistent with late-1990s examples.
The cuffs and hem are finished with ribbed knit, which maintains a refined fit and preserves the jacket's elegant silhouette.
The fabric is crafted from lambskin exclusively.
Lambskin—the hide of a lamb under one year of age—differs from bovine leather in durability, yet compensates with an unparalleled suppleness. The grain is fine and even; the hand is soft and rich, almost tactile.
This material possesses a lightness and pliability so marked that one might question whether it is leather at all. The wearing experience is effortless and stress-free. Many approach leather jackets with hesitation, anticipating rigidity and constraint—a concern that does not apply here.
For those seeking a simple, enduring piece of genuine quality, this example is without peer.
Tagged as size 50
In Japanese sizing, this corresponds approximately to L–XL.
The actual measurements confirm a generous fit, accommodating a range of frames without constraint. Whether worn close or layered, the proportions remain composed.
Evidence of wear—marks, scuffs, minor pilling—is present, as one would expect. However, no damage of consequence impairs wearability. The jacket remains entirely viable for continued use.
SERAPHIN: the leather factory of choice even for HERMES.
This is a jacket worthy of the phrase 'a lifetime piece'—a statement on the quality that SERAPHIN achieves.
Those in search of authentic, timeless leather need look no further than this pinnacle example of the house.
