Fall River’s Vanson Leathers Creates DJ Mustard’s Super Bowl Halftime Jacket

A small Fall River company just got a massive moment in the spotlight, thanks to a custom leather jacket worn by DJ Mustard during the Super Bowl LIX halftime show alongside Kendrick Lamar.

Vanson Leathers, a family-owned business on Broadway, handcrafted the eye-catching piece, a variation of its signature Star jacket. Owner Michael Van Der Sleesen, who has been making leather jackets since 1974, shared how the opportunity came about.

“They (Mustard’s management) reached out a week and a half ago inquiring about the jacket that was worn during the Super Bowl halftime show,” Van Der Sleesen said. “What we made for Mustard was one of our Star jackets. It’s a signature Vanson jacket."

"We started making leather jackets in Boston on Thayer Street in ’74 – 51 years ago," he said. "In 1978, we created a whole family of jackets, including motorcycle flat track and racing jackets, which used to race motorcycles. That’s the DNA of the jacket. It’s a signature of ours. We moved to Fall River in 1987.”

The Star jacket’s signature design features a bold bib front and a star detail, elements that have remained iconic throughout Vanson’s history.

Vanson Leathers is a small operation, employing around 50 people, but their influence extends far beyond Fall River.

Designer Davon Bean, Vanson’s first-ever Creative Director of Streetwear, was behind Mustard’s Super Bowl look and is now working on an official Mustard-Vanson collaboration.

“For the most part, a lot of the placements happen through the creative director, Davon Bean,” said Vanson’s Community and Growth Director, Greg Molinar. “It’s very fun, exciting, and it’s a local family-owned business. It’s not a big corporation, so when you mentally think of the picture, that comes to mind.”

Bean has been making waves since joining Vanson in 2021, putting fresh spins on archival classics and forging collaborations with brands like Aimé Leon Dore. Vanson has also worked with Supreme for nearly a decade, crafting unique, handmade designs.

“Every couple of months or once or twice a year, we create something new (with Supreme),” Van Der Sleesen said. “It’s all made by hand here, one at a time. These aren’t normal garments you can get at Macy’s – it’s all custom. We’ve also worked with Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown, making jackets for him.”

READ MORE: Alicia Keys Is Wearing Fall River Style

Lady Gaga has also been spotted wearing a Supreme-Vanson collaboration, proving that this small Fall River shop has a big impact in the fashion world.

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Beyond high-profile projects, Vanson remains deeply rooted in its community, partnering with institutions like UMass Dartmouth and Rhode Island School of Design to foster creativity and craftsmanship.

“It’s terrific, it makes a lot of things worthwhile,” Van Der Sleesen said. “We enjoy what we’re doing here, and when people enjoy what we’re doing here, it makes it that much better. These cities are really unappreciated; New Bedford and Fall River are sophisticated cities. There’s a lot going on and a lot to offer here.”

From racing leathers to streetwear collabs to the biggest stage in entertainment, Vanson Leathers continues to prove that quality craftsmanship and small-town roots can make a worldwide impact.