Michael Hoban for North Beach Leather | Sculptural Black Leather & Suede Dress

This is exactly the kind of Michael Hoban piece that made North Beach Leather unforgettable. A dramatic off-the-shoulder leather neckline frames the body like sculpture, while the sharply fitted waist and straight suede skirt create an exaggerated, almost corseted silhouette. Three bright gold-tone chain closures run down the bodice, with matching gold buttons at the cuffs—the perfect contrast against the deep black leather.

Why We Love It
It has presence. The neckline is theatrical without feeling costume-like, the waist is beautifully engineered, and those gold chain closures turn a black dress into something extraordinary. This is vintage leather at its most unapologetically glamorous.

Details

• Designer: Michael Hoban for North Beach Leather
• Era: Circa late 1980s–early 1990s
• Vintage size: Medium
• Black leather fitted bodice and sleeves
• Black suede skirt and center panel
• Dramatic off-the-shoulder collar
• Three gold-tone chain-and-medallion closures
• Gold-tone button detailing at cuffs
• Fitted waist with sculptural seaming
• Straight midi-length silhouette

Measurements

• Approx. shoulder/off-shoulder width: 19"
• Pit to pit: 17"
• Waist: 14"
• Hips: 19"
• Waist to hem: 24"

Measurements are taken flat and are approximate.

Condition - Good

Collector’s Notes
Michael Hoban helped transform leather from counterculture dressing into high-fashion statement wear. By the late 1980s, North Beach Leather had become famous for bold, body-conscious leather designs and counted performers including Tina Turner, Cher, Mick Jagger and Elvis Presley among its clientele. Hoban spoke of his work as art and his stores as galleries—a philosophy that feels especially fitting for a piece like this.

The dramatic neckline, hourglass construction and gold hardware capture the excess and confidence of late-1980s fashion while still looking remarkably modern. This is not simply a black leather dress—it is the kind of piece that makes the person wearing it the focal point of the room.