Coppwear is a Signal. A Statement. A Code.
Founded by Jonathan, an experienced pattern cutter with over
35 years in the fashion industry. Coppwear
is a premium clothing brand born from a desire to create something subtle yet
unmistakably coded. After decades behind the scenes crafting garments for other
brands, Jonathan stepped forward to build his own and launched Coppwear: a
brand rooted in queer history, fetish culture, and the underground languages of
identity.
The Origin Story
Coppwear emerged from London’s vibrant, niche gay nightlife especially
the leather, rubber, and kink scenes where clothing is more than fashion; it’s
communication. Having lived through an era when being gay was illegal and
unsafe, Jonathan witnessed and experienced firsthand covert ways to express
desire and identity. One of the most iconic? The hanky code, a coloured
handkerchief worn in the back pocket to signal sexual preferences, with
placement indicating active or passive roles.
As society has grown more accepting (though the fight
continues), these codes have faded from mainstream understanding. Today, many
wear the colours without knowing their meaning. Coppwear seeks to revive that
language, bringing back the nods, the winks, the signals that once defined a
resilient, underground community, through clothing wearable in everyday life.
The Berlin Hoodie
The concept was simple: create a garment that could be worn
anywhere, pub, bar, club, or street, while still pairing seamlessly with
fetishwear underneath. A hoodie that’s relaxed yet structured, subtle yet
coded. Something you could throw over a harness or rubber vest and still feel
seen.
The first samples were hand-made and worn to Folsom
Europe in Berlin, 2023, where the response was exciting. People asked where
they could get one. The feedback was clear: this was more than a hoodie, it was
a statement piece for the community.
Two years of development followed. Sourcing heavyweight
jersey, chunky zips, and wide industrial webbing, materials that could
withstand the rigours of queer nightlife and fetish play. Every fit was
refined, every detail considered. The result? The Berlin Signature Hoodie:
durable, coded, and unapologetically queer.
What We Stand For
Subtle
Signalling: Coppwear revives the lost language of kink and queer
identity. Our garments speak to those who know, without shouting.
Durability
& Fit: Designed by a master pattern cutter, our pieces are built
to last and fit to move. Structured enough to complement leather, rubber
and denim, relaxed enough to layer over gear.
Queer
History & Pride: We honour the underground resilience of gay men
who found ways to connect, express, and survive. Coppwear is a tribute to
them, and to those still pushing boundaries today.
Community
Connection: Whether you’re fully out or quietly coded, Coppwear is for
you. It’s a way to belong, to signal, to celebrate.