Chesapeake's
Reproductions of iconic American military pieces, manufactured in Italy with European fabrics. Born in 1987.
Philosophy
American military heritage, made in Italy. Chesapeake's reproduces great US military pieces - M-51, N-1 deck jacket, fatigue pants - with quality European fabrics and Italian manufacturing. Good value versus high-end Japanese reproductions.
History
1987. A trip along the US East Coast. Chesapeake Bay, where a decisive naval battle of the American War of Independence was fought in 1781. From this fascination with US military history, an Italian reproduction brand is born.
Chesapeake's starts by reproducing the great classics: M-51 field jacket, US Navy N-1 deck jacket, fatigue pants, military shirts. The principle: European fabrics (Italian, French, German, Turkish denim), Italian manufacturing, cuts faithful to originals. The positioning is smart: more accessible than Japanese reproductions (Buzz Rickson's, The Real McCoy's) but with Italian manufacturing quality.
The brand goes on hiatus and resumes in 2019, distributed by Hardcore Co Ltd. It quickly finds its place again in the European heritage/workwear circuit: Cultizm (Germany), Lund & Lund (Sweden), HepCat Store (Sweden), Blue Marlin (Rome). Long John, the reference denim/heritage media, covers the brand and praises the approach.
Chesapeake's doesn't have the notoriety of the big Japanese military reproduction names. But it's the credible European alternative: Made in Italy, noble fabrics, honest prices. For the militaria enthusiast who doesn't want to pay the Japanese premium.