Baracuta is celebrating the 85th anniversary of its iconic G9 jacket, the one and only original Harrington jacket.

Born in the rain of Manchester in 1938, one year after the brand's creation, and globally recognized today as an icon of British style, the G9 has been adopted and re-appropriated by various subcultures, celebrities, and many others over the past eight and a half decades. As part of this celebration, Baracuta returned to its roots - Manchester - to illustrate what the G9 represents to people of all ages and all walks of life. The result was an unprecedented, authentic narrative involving 13 British faces from all walks of life. Each of them spoke about their emotional connection to the Baracuta Harrington jacket, an emblem of true British identity. These stories have been gathered into a special volume dedicated to this iconic jacket, accompanied by never-before-seen archive images and documents.

In the 85 years since the first Baracuta G9 Harrington jacket was made, a whole host of subcultural movements have taken the jacket and made it their own. In the UK, where the brand originated, there were the Mods and the punks, the skinheads, and the ska fans. Across the Atlantic, the Harrington was adored by Hollywood's biggest names and Ivy Leaguers, who helped make the jacket a preppy style essential.

From Golf to Hollywood

Originally, the jacket was designed for Manchester golfers by Baracuta founders John and Isaac Miller. The jacket was inspired by the golfer’s swing, while the pockets were angled and fastened with a single button to comfortably hold two golf balls. It turns out that all the brothers' design choices - including the now-iconic umbrella back yoke, the dog-ear collar, and, of course, the famous Fraser tartan - would also make the jacket one of the most famous British icons. The very name of the jacket pays homage to the sport, with G standing for "golf" and 9 representing the number of holes.

After its launch in the 1930s, the G9 quickly became known worldwide, taking Baracuta from Manchester to Hollywood and making menswear history thanks to a famous fan. In the 1960s, actor Ryan O'Neal played the role of Rodney Harrington in Peyton Place, an American soap opera that ran until 1969. The character wore a Baracuta G9, which reflected his preppy and Ivy League style. Rodney Harrington became so associated with his G9 that Baracuta began selling the G9 under the name of the Harrington Jacket. To this day, the Baracuta design is still known as the one and only original Harrington jacket.

Rodney Harrington wasn't the only one wearing it on screen. Elvis wore a G9 in King Creole, Frank Sinatra wore one in Assault on a Queen, and Steve McQueen stood out wearing a navy version in The Thomas Crown Affair. Closer to Manchester, the G9 had another subcultural journey. Bands and musicians like The Clash, Paul Weller, and Eric Clapton all sported their own G9, and artists from subsequent eras also chose it. When the battle of Britpop raged in the 1990s, Liam Gallagher and Damon Albarn, the two leaders of each side of the duel, both wore Harringtons.

A lot has changed over the past eight and a half decades, but the G9 has remained a constant. Its design has never changed, nor have the values associated with it. Even today, the G9 Harrington jacket, made from the historic Baracuta Cloth, is still manufactured in the UK, with the same attention to high-quality materials and craftsmanship it has always had.

Today

On the occasion of the G9's 85th anniversary, city icons like chef Joseph Otway, DJ Andy Votel, and the legendary post-punk band A Certain Ratio talk about their connection to the jacket.

Other figures, like Haçienda designer Ben Kelly and vintage expert Ladi Kazeem, discuss the G9's status as a timeless piece and the difficulty of creating something that stands the test of time. The full list of contributors also includes artist Stanley Chow, DJ and promoter Anton Stephens, Laura Kennedy of Piccadilly Records, singer Victoria Jane, artist Luke Passey, Royal Ragz founder Charlie Ballet, journalist Matty White, and Beryl, a Baracuta legend who personally hand-crafted the Baracuta G9 Harrington in Manchester.

All of these people have invested the G9 with personal experiences and memories, giving it an unparalleled significance since the Miller brothers created it in 1938, certifying its authenticity and inimitable history.

The Baracuta Volume book, tracing the history of the G9 from yesterday to today, is available in a limited edition.

Wear the original, don't be fake!