Step into a world where tradition and innovation intertwine, as KENZO collaborates with Levi’s to unveil a capsule collection for Fall 2023. A seamless fusion of East and West, this collection signifies the inaugural partnership under KENZO’s new artistic director, Nigo.
October 4, 2023, marked the birth of a collection that beautifully encapsulates the heritage of the Parisian-Japanese House and iconic American brand. Nigo, drawing inspiration from the artistry of traditional Japanese craftsmanship and classic American workwear, presents a line that is both contemporary and nostalgic.
Enveloped in the premium embrace of Kaihara Japanese denim, the collection boasts approximately twenty garments and accessories, a testament to “real-to-wear” functionality. Nigo‘s collection of vintage clothing, inclusive of American denim and original Levi Strauss & Co. workwear, infuses the collection with authenticity and timeless elegance.
This collaboration resurrects the spirit of Kenzo Takada’s iconic KENZO JEANS line, launched in 1986, and marries it with the present-day genius of Nigo’s design philosophy. It’s a wardrobe conversation between American flair, Japanese craftsmanship, and the lasting legacy of Takada.
Nestled within Kyoto’s serene beauty, a campaign, immortalized through the lenses of Japanese filmmaker Umi Ishihara and Inner Mongolian photographer Ryu Ika, illuminates the “East-meets-West” philosophy. The imagery, a blend of moving and still, unveils the collection crafted in collaboration between KENZO and Levi’s.
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With items co-branded through an intricate weave of Levi Strauss & Co.’s “two horse pull” iconography and the KENZO logo, every piece tells a story of legacy and innovation. The distinctive arcuate stitching of Levi’s merges with the Boke flower of KENZO, symbolizing a union of identities and histories.
Unveiling pieces that transcend gender norms, the collection introduces a denim jacket inspired by the 1980s KENZO JUNGLE line and a reimagination of the 1967 Levi’s Type II Trucker Jacket. Denim blazers channel the spirit of Bing Crosby’s iconic tuxedo, marrying tailoring sophistication with jean jacket casualness.
“The fabric, the stitch, the style, they are all threads woven into the narrative of our shared history,” shares a passionate Nigo.
KENZO red and off-white T-shirts echo the timeless pocket design of a classic Levi’s shirt. Levi’s 501 jeans, inspired by their original 1933 design, mark their grand return with hand-faded denim and indigo variations.
Completing this transcendent collection is a homage to East-West sensitivity, manifested in a KENZO red Western bandana. It seamlessly integrates the emblematic features of both brands, a fabric testament to the KENZO x Levi’s Fall 2023 capsule collection’s innate harmony.
Available worldwide, fashion enthusiasts can discover this meticulously curated collection in KENZO and select Levi’s stores, KENZO.com, and Levi.com.
© Photos: KENZO
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