Michael Hoban for North Beach Leather, "8-Ball jacket," leather, fall 1989, USA, gift of Michael Hoban, North Beach Leather Michael Hoban for North Beach Leather, "8-Ball jacket," leather, fall 1989, USA, gift of Michael Hoban, North Beach Leather, 91.192.1

Outerwear has been an important category for hip hop style, because luxe leather jackets and puffers provided warmth on the street, while showcasing some of the most expensive items in a wardrobe. Michael Hoban designed the 8-Ball jacket for his North Beach Leather brand in 1990, and although its huge popularity—driven in part by Salt-N-Pepa—led to a short-lived trend, it became a classic hip hop fashion moment.