Amelia Earhart and the Leather Bomber Jacket

The leather bomber jacket was made famous by Amelia Earhart and has been a fashion staple since the 1930s. Hilary Swank (above) plays Earhart wearing said jacket in the new movie, "Amelia." Like her contemporary, Bessie Coleman, she wore the pants in the cockpit! (We're not making a joke here people.) Back in July we noted that Coleman was the inspiration for Hermes this year. Aviatrix-inspired clothes should be flying off the shelves (pun intended) this fall and winter.

Air Apparent: The Original Fly Girl Was Fierce!

For the fall 2009 collection, Hermes designer Jean Paul Gaultier says he was inspired by the early 20th-century aviatrix outfits. Bessie Coleman, right, was the first AMERICAN EVER to earn the International Pilot's license from the Federation Aeronatique Internationale (F.A.I.) in 1920. She prepared herelf by taking French class at night school in Chicago. Doris Rich, in her book on Bessie, said "as an aviator she was a threat to whites who cherished their racial superiority, and as a woman pilot she threatened the ego of black males." Queen Bess – Daredevil Aviatrix was a true champion of her race. She refused to appear in any air show that did not allow whites and blacks to attend together. Recognize!