In the 1960’s Steve McQueen paid several hundred dollars for his Belstaff Trialmaster jacket, over forty years later the Legendary British label bought it back for $34,000.
On Saturday November 11th Mr Michele Malenotti, flew especially from Italy to LA to attend the Bonhamsand Butterfields auction of Steve McQueen memorabilia, to purchase the King Of Cool’s vintage Belstaff Trialmaster jacket.
Worn by Steve McQueen on numerous bike journeys and protecting him from the elements, the Trialmaster jacket was still in the same mint condition as when he first purchased it over forty years ago - a true testament to the brands design, quality and durability.
For the Malenotti family, who own and are responsible for making Belstaff one of today’s most desirable iconic fashion brands, the chance to buy this important piece of Belstaff history, was one not to be missed. Mr Malenotti said “Steve McQueen personifies Belstaff – a legend with a style all his own”.
The jacket was presented to Mr Malenotti by Steve McQueen’s widow Barbara Minty-McQueen, who was thrilled that Belstaff bought the jacket and that it was returning backhome.
Over the next year Steve McQueen’s Trialmaster Jacket will be on display in the Belstaff Stores around the world an then at their Museum in Milan.
The auction, which sold everything from the actors clothes to his vintage motorcycles raised nearly $3 million dollars, proving that even 26 years after his death, Steve McQueen is still the King Of Cool.

When motorcycling apparel firm Belstaff, founded in 1924, created their unique leather biking jacket, it became the hallmark of 1950s movie stars, antiheroes and keen stuntmen Steve McQueen, Marlon Brando and James Dean.

McQueen donned his Belstaff for iconic films, such as The Great Escape and The Getaway. The firm’s ‘Black Prince’ jacket was the first to be made from waterproof, breathable fabric which also offered full protection from wind and heavy friction – so rebels without a cause could keep up their cool exterior.

In 2006, McQueen’s treasured Belstaff jacket raised over $34,000 at auction, and this designer remains popular with modern-day mavericks, including George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise.

Ewan McGregor is even wearing a Belstaff on his latest adventure, The Long Way Down, which sees the actor and a friend journey from John O’Groats to Cape Agulhas, South Africa, on their motorbikes.

manufacturer, Triumph, is steeped in the history of motorcycling yet remains at the forefront of engineering with some of the most sophisticated production facilities in the world. One of Triumph’s best-loved bikes, the Bonneville, is celebrating its 50th anniversary in Summer 2008*. Cleverly blending traditional British style and charismatic performance, the Triumph Bonneville is the perfect roadster and a modern design classic. Its unique looks and exhilarating riding experience have made the Bonneville the motorcycle of choice for generations of fast-living individuals including screen idols from Steve McQueen, James Dean and Marlon Brando, through to George Clooney and Nicholas Cage. Triumph is marking the occasion by producing two unique one-off designs for the Bonneville, each conceived by an iconic collaborator, synonymous with style and British motorcycling: Belstaff, the leading designer of motorcycling fashion, is also producing a bespoke design of the Bonneville incorporating a sophisticated black and gold colour scheme synonymous with the fashion brand’s identity. The design also includes a gold seat cowl and a black and gold pannier bag. In addition Belstaff is also creating a limited-edition biker style jacket to mark the anniversary. For more information, visit www.belstaff.com. Michele Malenotti, designer for Belstaff, comments, “Being at the cutting edge of design for motorcycle fashion, it’s a privilege to be asked to produce a special-anniversary Bonneville. The Bonneville’s enduring popularity over 50 years is an amazing achievement. The timeless style and shape of the Bonneville makes it a pleasure to work with.” The Belstaff limited-edition designed Bonneville will be on display in Belstaff’s flagship stores in London’s Conduit Street, as well as Rome and Milan and available for purchase exclusively in selected stores worldwide later this year.

Sir Richard Branson has unveiled the world's first commercial spacecraft and named it the Enterprise, after the fictional intergalactic vessel in Star Trek.

The Enterprise is expected to begin flights for passengers paying $200,000 (£120,000) each in 18 months time. More than 300 would-be astronauts have already bought tickets for the 2½-hour flights.

Unveiling the craft in California's Mojave desert in front of an audience that included Arnold Schwarzenegger, California's governor, and Princess Beatrice, the Virgin Records founder was
wearing his Belstaff Raf Button Blouson.

The Raf Button Blouson is the iconic jacket featured by Brad Pitt in the movie “ The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”.

Belstaff is proud to announce that a new special and revolutionary line called "Belstaff Galactica" has been designed for Mr. Branson.

Once again Belstaff, already known as the clothing brand to the stars, strengthens its name among the star system thanks to the quality of its jackets and the perfection of the style.

Please find herewith enclosed the links with the unveiling, the pictures of Mr. Branson wearing Besltaff Raf Button Blouson and and some drawings of the “Belstaff Galactica” project.