Bonnie Cashin Style: How to Sew Leather Binding

Bonnie Cashin has been a fashion influence for generations. Her early career was highlighted by designing costumes for such movies as “Anna and the King of Siam”. It seems that researching this movie led her to the discovery of Asian styling. In that ‘look’ she found the basis for the lean and simple fashions that she is known for, a clean Asian inspired silhouette that was often bound in a flat leather edging.  In this post I'll walk you through the process of making this same type of binding.

Cashin Coat for Spring: 1966

Bonnie Cashin's vision for Spring 1966 shows her love of texture and inventive silhouettes.  This kimono inspired coat has unique angled sleeve lines, with a diagonal wrap closure that ends in an upswing hemline.  All edges are bound in leather, which would have been colored to compliment her custom wool textiles. Doesn't it have an exciting look?  I think it could be adapted and worn today, which is one of the amazing elements about a Cashin design.

Bonnie Cashin: Brass Twist Locks on Vintage Coats and Jackets

This 1970's kid skin leather short coat by Bonnie Cashin sports her signature twist locks that she adapted from canvas boat fastenings in the 1950's. This illustration is from a brochure published by Gene Burton shop on Lake Ave. in Pasadena, CA during the 1970's. From it we find that this leather coat retailed for $200 and came in white, sand, redwing red, navy, lemon yellow or sandstone.

Shown below are some examples of the twist locks used on many of her coat designs. You will also notice the extensive use of leathers in her fabrications.





Here's a peak at the inside: