History
Helstons origin
1985
Leather as a First Love. Surrounded by friends in the world of fashion and clothing, Kamal embarked on his leather journey, starting as a seller of leather clothing and hides. He began his training at the Carreau-du-Temple in Paris, notably thanks to his friend Serge Aboujedid, founder of the brand Territoire Redskins."
1987
A Family Affair. When Kamal decided to start his own clothing manufacturing business, he brought his father and brother along for the adventure as a salesperson and a cutter. At that time, they first set up on Rue Chapon in Paris, then later on Avenue Claude Vellefaux in the 10th arrondissement.
1988
The Foundations of Maison Helstons. The family then set out to conquer the capital with made-in-France productions. Inspired by American culture, particularly the style of Flight Jackets, Helstons positioned itself as a distinctive player, standing apart from the classic brands of that era. Its jackets, crafted from high-quality leather and sewn by hand, were adorned with badges, embroidery, and innovative designs. This was the heyday of brands like Chevignon, Avirex, and Schott.
1989
A Family Core. The French outfitter grew and brought on board Kamal's childhood friend, Daniel Ettedgui, along with his brother Alain and Stéphane Rousselet as cutters. Still with the company today, they remain key figures in building the story of Helstons.
1991
A Two-Wheeled Turn. After six years of exploring urban and motorcycle ready-to-wear, and gaining expertise in leather craftsmanship, Helstons decided to focus solely on clothing for male and female motorcyclists. 'A friend once asked me for a motorcycle jacket, and at that moment, I had a realization about what I wanted to do,' Kamal says. Helstons benefited from the expertise of the Conan family, skilled workers in motorcycle jackets and former employees of Moto Cuir, a famous French brand.
1992
First Complete Men's Collection. Helstons launched its first complete collection of men's jackets, with standout pieces including the Dirt and the Daytona. Iconic jackets for the brand, they were crafted with various leather panels and multiple chest badges and were made entirely in France. Soon, the vintage fashion trend played to Helstons' advantage, and it became the first brand to tap into this network of insiders, which would eventually turn into the essential fashion trend we know today.
1998
Participation in the Paris Motor Show, a combined automobile and motorcycle event. This pivotal event marked a significant turning point for the brand, particularly in terms of visibility, solidifying Helstons' position as a central name in the motorcycle world. Graciously invited by Fabrice Roux, founder of Cafe Racer magazine, Helstons finally participated in its first public motorcycle show.
1998
First Complete Women's Collection. This 100% made-in-France line for women was a commercial and press success. As one of the few options for female motorcyclists at the time, Helstons brought a vintage touch to jackets and vests that was highly appealing. 'Female riders had very few choices for protective clothing, and most of the time, the jackets were bubblegum pink! It wasn’t a style that appealed to everyone…' Kamal explains
1999
The Journalists' Tailor. Often sought after to outfit journalists for motorcycle test rides, Helstons became an essential brand in the press. Crafted from high-quality materials and, most importantly, accessible due to its Paris-based workshops, the jackets from this French brand were everywhere. Even today, Helstons outfits the vast majority of test- riding journalists.
2000
Towards New Horizons. After about fifteen years in the capital, the family business expanded and built a new facility on the outskirts of Paris, finally providing a worthy establishment
2005
Alongside the Riders. With its line paying tribute to the racing scene of the early 90s, Helstons draws inspiration from and honors the daring and fearless riders.
2009
Nihon e youkoso - Welcome to Japan. Through a meeting with a Japanese client, Helstons became the symbol of the vintage-styled Parisian motorcyclist in Japan. This introduction to the Asian market served as a gateway for broader expansion in Asia.
2012
A Timeless Icon. Following the Dirt model, the Ace jacket became the flagship of Helstons. A best- seller since its launch and constantly refreshed, it has become a legendary model for the brand's audience. As evidenced by the latest collection, this model is continuously updated in terms of both technique and safety, adhering to compliance guidelines, as well as style, with a technical fabric version now offered alongside the leather panels.
2013
Tough guy. Inspired by the high-quality, high-protection outfits of the riders from the 80s, this collection embodies a unique style and signature. The advertising campaign features Jean Marc Mormeck, a boxer with six world championship titles in WBA and WBC, wearing the Road jacket.
2016
Equipped from Head to Toe. Frustrated by the lack of choice and quality in the market, Kamal designed and launched his own shoe collection. These refined shoes are for the modern man who enjoys moving around in either dress shoes or sneakers. All Helstons shoe production takes place in Portugal.
2018
The story of the Japanese denim made by Helstons. Joined by Michinori Okabayashi, Kamal meets Shinichiro Arakawa, a renowned Japanese designer who studied fashion in France, to propose an intercultural collaboration. From this, the Arakawa Japanese jean by Helstons is born—a jean made entirely in Japan, with a raw blue color, the Helstons 'h' embroidered in red thread on the back, and a straight, relaxed fit for a distinctly vintage look.
2020
Helstons on all fronts. With international trends and Helstons’ signature style, the open-face helmets bring the French brand back into the spotlight, notably with appearances in mainstream French media such as Le Parisien, Madame Figaro, and Elle. The enthusiasm around the open-face helmets will lead to the release of a full-face helmet available in different designs in 2022
2020
Helstons, Official Partner of the Aces Experience Event. A key gathering of the fall, the Aces offer a moment of camaraderie and brotherhood at the heart of the Parc des Volcans in Auvergne. The brand designs the caps and t- shirts for the festival-goers in the event's colors.
2021
Travel Bag, Backpack. Elegant and dynamic, Helstons launches a new luggage collection. The collection features two types of bags: a backpack and a handbag that can be converted into a shoulder bag. Inspired by automotive racing, the luggage offers refined and delicate leather finishes, as well as a stamped logo on the front
2021
Helstons, Official Partner of the Aces Experience Event. As a renewed partner of the Auvergne event, Helstons establishes a lasting relationship with the organizers and designs and produces the festival-goers' clothing.
sept 2021
Coming Soon to the Big Screen. As a partner for the premiere of Venom II - Let There Be Carnage, Helstons was selected as the official partner for the film's France premiere.