Inside the $30K to $50K custom leather jackets by Mike Tessier and Robert Pietrantonio

By Sophia Shahani Duran

Fashion Art Toronto was buzzing with excitement on the night of Nov. 15 as artists Mike Tessier and Robert Pietrantonio showcased their mesmerizing pop-up exposition, ‘Up The Antichrist’ (UTAC). 

The venue, alive with electric sounds and astonishing designs, served as a canvas for their bold creativity, drawing in a captivated audience eager to witness the unique fusion of art and fashion in the duo’s extraordinary leather jackets.

UTAC is a highly unique leather goods brand that pushes the boundaries of creativity, art, and the meaning of clothing. Through a sophisticated process that combines craftsmanship and innovative design techniques, Tessier and Pietrantonio create wearable works of art. 

Tessier began designing 10 years ago and has dreamt of making a studded leather jacket for some time. After receiving no response from manufacturers, he decided instead to design his own. After a painful breakup, like many people experiencing a rupture, he felt the need to do something that would help him regain a part of himself that he had lost. Tessier channeled these emotions into designing his first jacket as a way to reclaim control and pull himself out of a grieving state. For Tessier, the process transformed into a therapeutic escape, allowing him to redirect his energy toward a more fulfilling and creative pursuit. 

“I wanted attention. I wanted eyes on me. So I was like, fuck this, I’m gonna make my own jacket. I went out, felt amazing and I made a second one,” said Tessier. 

The artist went on to teach himself how to sew and started working with Pietrantonio, an art teacher whom he had previously taken lessons from. Pietrantonio was thrilled by the invitation and has been working alongside Tessier ever since. 

Each piece begins with a custom image, selected or created by the designer, which is then brought to life by artist Pietrantonio. Using acrylics, he transforms leather into a vibrant canvas. The cowhide leather, chosen for its durability and strength, is cut into pattern pieces, and each section is adorned with metal hardware before the jacket is fully assembled. The jackets are finished with silk linings and custom-painted buttons, making each piece a truly one-of-a-kind expression of individuality.

Tessier and Pietrantonio’s dedication to their craft not only challenges conventional fashion standards but also invites wearers to embrace their own identities through these extraordinary creations. The women’s jackets retail for $30,000 USD and the men’s go for $50,000 USD. 

Tessier said each artist invests approximately 200 hours into creating a single jacket, which means it takes about four months of full-time work, by two people, to produce a unique piece that embodies the brand’s boldness and artistic vision. 

‘Up The Antichrist’ aims to resonate a deep connection with its clients through a compelling visual body of artwork according to Tessier. The inspiration behind this jaw-dropping jacket line stems from the artist’s lifelong passion for heavy metal music. “I’ve been listening to metal my whole life. It kind of saved me as a kid growing up. I would like to go so far as to say, heavy metal music is like my church,” said Tessier.  

This connection to heavy metal is reflected not only in the design of the jackets but also in the provocative name of the exhibit itself. The title ‘Up The Antichrist’ serves as a bold statement against society’s expectations.  The collection encourages wearers to embrace their true selves, even if it means confronting controversial ideas. Tessier’s choice of name celebrates the freedom of expression that music and art can provide through the heavy metal genre.

“It’s like a canvas, he makes them from scratch. There’s a painter that creates the hyperrealistic paintings on the back and he studs them individually one by one. It’s a very painstaking process that takes months to create a single jacket,” says the business agent of ‘Up The Antichrist,’ Nor Mehrez. 

Mehrez, a biotech consultant, says she had been feeling a creative void in her life before encountering Tessier in Montreal earlier this year. A shared passion for artistry drew the two to each other, afterward meeting the two began working closely. Reflecting on their collaboration, Mehrez says she now finds the creative world a fulfilling balance in proportion to the scientific aspect of her life. 

Mehrez helps support UTAC business needs such as relations and exhibits. She has been working closely with him to arrange and manage his affairs, allowing him to focus more fully on his art. Her role as Tessier’s business agent has sparked a deep personal and creative growth in her career.

As Tessier and his team continue to push the boundaries of art and fashion, their unique creations inspire a new wave of self-expression within the heavy metal community. Heavy metal culture celebrates authenticity, often challenging societal norms and expectations through its music, aesthetics, and lifestyle choices. The jackets created by Tessier and Pietrantonio resonate deeply with this. The intricate designs and bold embellishments reflect the raw energy and passion that characterize heavy metal music.

Their vision challenges the standards of fashion, turning each jacket into an eccentric statement of identity. The jackets become more than just clothing; they transform into a movement that celebrates the spirit of heavy metal, inviting wearers to join a community that values creativity, individuality, and the courage to be different.

 “‘Up The Antichrist’ is my symbol of my lifelong fight for individuality and artistic and personal freedom,” stated Tessier.