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History of suede -

Suede is made from the underside of animal hide. As a type of leather, the history of the material and its use dates back to around 50,000 years ago and the Upper Paleolithic period.

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Early tailors -

By preserving (tanning) and processing animal hides, our ancient ancestors were able to render the skins soft enough so that they could be comfortably worn and tied around the body. These early tailors would wear their garments inside out and by doing so created rudimentary suede.

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Drawing on hide -

Native Americans excelled at drawing on hide. The Indian tribes of Arkansas, Dakota, and the Northeastern regions, for example, were known for their elaborate designs. This photograph shows a decorated garment of a child of the Algonquin peoples, dated back to 1876.

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Fashion trend -

It would be the early part of the 20th century before suede became a fashion trend. Technical advances in the tanning process resulted in a more lavish and delicate suede being manufactured. By the early 1920s, wearing suede was a status symbol. Pictured: a 1923 leather and suede waterproof riding habit.

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Designs on suede -

The era's leading fashion houses, including Paquin, Givenchy, and Hermès, began incorporating suede into their designs. Pictured is a woman wearing a patchwork suede and fur coat.

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Dolores Del Rio (1905-1983) -

Suede quickly found favor with celebrities. Dolores Del Rio, the Mexican film actress, is seen here modeling a suede double-brimmed derby hat with feather trim.

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Royal approval -

Suede's application extended to accessories, and even royalty was wooed by the luxuriously pliable material. Pictured is a pair of step-in high heeled shoes made of elasticized mushroom-beige suede worn by Princess Elizabeth in 1947, a few years before she was crowned Queen Elizabeth II.

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Randolph Scott (1898–1987) -

Suede has featured widely in Western movies. The durable and pliable material makes for an ideal vest, and a Hollywood gunslinger's wardrobe wasn't complete without a close-fitting sleeveless waistcoat. Pictured in the 1950s is movie star Randolph Scott replete in cowboy garb.

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'Blue Suede Shoes' -

The 1950s heralded the arrival of rock 'n' roll music. One song helped propel the popularity of suede tenfold—'Blue Suede Shoes.' Written and first recorded by Carl Perkins in 1955, the track quickly became a rock 'n' roll standard and was covered by Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, and Eddie Cochran, among others.

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Signature suede -

Elvis Presley's 1956 rendition of 'Blue Suede Shoes' is regarded as the definitive cover. Presley performed the song three times on national television that year, and as a publicity stunt autographed a pair of his own blue suede shoes (pictured).

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Elvis Presley (1935–1977) -

Elvis Presley fell in love with suede, and wore it on several occasions. This photograph shows the singer's red suede jacket, worn for the 1957 'Jailhouse Rock' 45 cover and other promotional photos.

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John Lennon (1940–1980) -

The 1960s solidified suede's reputation as a trendy high-end fashion material, and it was another iconic and influential musician that further boosted its appeal. John Lennon famously wore a suede jacket on the cover of the Beatles' 1965 album 'Rubber Soul.' Ringo Starr is also wearing similar apparel.

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Eric Clapton -

Suede was to be seen in. Here, British rock trio Cream are photographed shopping in London in 1966. Bass player Jack Bruce wears a stetson, drummer Ginger Baker is still browsing, while guitarist and vocalist Eric Clapton poses in his brand new fringed suede jacket.

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Twiggy -

The Swinging Sixties was fueled by fashion. Here, British model Twiggy is photographed disembarking from a TWA aircraft in a red suede and velvet outfit, typical of the period style.

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Veruschka -

Not to be outdone, German fashion model and actress Veruschka strikes a pose wearing a suede vest and shorts accented by leopard print.

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James Brown (1933–2006) -

Fringed Western-style suede jackets were still being widely worn throughout the 1970s and '80s by a host of celebrities. James Brown chose to wear a suede vest for this moody 1982 portrait.

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Robert De Niro -

Robert De Niro, photographed around the time of 'The Godfather Part II' (1974), cuts a fine figure in a suede jacket, replete with wide 1970's lapels.

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Steven Tyler -

Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler looking dapper in wide-brimmed trilby and threadbare suede jacket for an '80s photo shoot.

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Lenny Kravitz -

Suede's appeal continues to be a big hit with musicians. Here's Lenny Kravitz rocking fringes and dreadlocks on stage in 1990, suitably at a John Lennon tribute concert.

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Suede -

English rock band Suede named themselves for the material. They are pictured in their classic line up: drummer Simon Gilbert, lead guitarist Bernard Butler, lead vocalist Brett Anderson, and bassist Mat Osman, in 1994.

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David Duchovny -

David Duchovny, especially known for 'The X-Files' and 'Californication,' is pictured in a suede jacket.

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Brad Pitt -

Brad Pitt and his then-wife Jennifer Aniston attending the world premiere of  'Spy Game' (2001). In 1991, Pitt appeared in a movie called 'Johnny Suede.'

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Anthony Mackie -

Anthony Mackie dressed appropriately in suede for the 2005 Fab 40 Party for Suede magazine in New York City.

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Taylor Swift -

Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift seen in London in 2012 dressed for a chilly January day with a fashionable suede trimmed handbag slung over her shoulder.

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Kylie Jenner -

A blue-haired Kylie Jenner is spotted in Los Angeles in 2015 wearing a suede two-piece pantsuit.

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Prince William, Duke of Cambridge -

When Prince William visited Truro Cathedral in Cornwall in September 2016, the second in the line of succession to the British throne was noted for his snappy attire, and especially the pair of immaculate suede shoes he was wearing.

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Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge -

Similarly, Kate Middleton is always carefully scrutinized for what she's wearing, and guess what? She's also a fan of suede! Kate is seen here wearing a pair of Chloé leather-trimmed suede ankle boots during a 2021 visit to Durham, a city in the northeast of England.

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Ray Liotta -

Arriving at Los Angeles in 2018 and wired for sound, Ray Liotta cuts a smart and casual figure in his suede jacket.

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Dakota Johnson -

Dakota Johnson is seen arriving at her New York City hotel in 2019 clutching a super-soft suede handbag.

Sources: (LoveToKnow) (Did You Know Fashion) (Denver Art Museum)

See also: These 2000s fashion trends are making a comeback

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