There’s a reason why the same jacket that once shielded Air Force pilots from freezing altitudes is now draped over the shoulders of hip-hop stars, skaters, and high-fashion icons. Alpha Industries’ Heritage Collection is a testament to how military necessity became the blueprint for streetwear. The MA-1 bomber, M-65 field coat, CWU-45/P flight jacket, B-15, ALS/92 liner, N-2B, and N-3B weren’t initially designed for runways or music videos.
They were built for survival—crafted for soldiers who needed function before fashion. But as history has proven, true utility never fades. Today, these rugged silhouettes have transcended generations, evolving from battlefield essentials to cultural staples embraced by rebels, artists, and visionaries alike.
Few pieces embody this transformation as profoundly as the M-65 field coat. Designed for the brutal conditions of the Vietnam War, it was engineered with a durable NYCO blend, concealed hood, and oversized pockets for gear storage. But its story didn’t end on the battlefield.
When anti-establishment movements of the ‘70s and ‘80s took hold, the M-65 became a symbol of rebellion—worn by everyone from Robert De Niro’s Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver to punk rockers, skaters, and grunge icons. The structured, slightly oversized fit resonated with designers, who reimagined it in luxury fabrics, tailored cuts, and high-fashion collaborations, solidifying its place in modern wardrobes.Then there’s the CWU-45/P bomber, a flig.
