A New Kenzo x Levi's Collaboration Has Just Dropped

EXCLUSIVE: If you cast your mind back to the autumn/winter ’22 shows last January, you’ll likely remember the stir Nigo caused with his Kenzo debut. Printed suits, hooded ponchos and poppy-stamped lace-ups glided the runway and suggested a new era for the Parisian-Japanese brand. But it was the eclectic selection of denim that left many with new additions to their shopping wishlists.

It seems natural then that the crafters of cotton-twill, Levi’s, would want to have a piece of Nigo’s vision. And so, eighteen and a bit months later, a collaboration between the two brands has launched – the first under Nigo’s helm.

Photo by Kenzo.

Consisting of twenty garments and accessories, the collection embodies a fusion of Kenzo’s and the all-American denim brand’s expertise and aesthetics. Nigo is an avid collector of vintage clothing, and within his Japan-based archive is a selection of American workwear – the type originally worn by cowboys and miners, now adopted by East Londoners – that includes Levi Strauss & Co. pieces. Find sartorial signifiers of the Land of Liberty, like fringing, Western yokes and sawtooth pockets, imbued onto garments mainly made of Kaihara premium Japanese denim.

Updates to Levi’s classics come in the form of a red satin 1967 Type II Trucker Jacket finished with a Boke flower embroidery, while its denim counterpart is hand-distressed in Japan. A denim jacket with a detachable faux fur collar is inspired by 1980s’ archival pieces from the KENZO JUNGLE line, while blazers formed of the blue textile pays homage to Bing Crosby’s denim tuxedo. And as expected, there are some great jeans. Take your pick between a vintage-wash or more classic indigo Levi’s 501s, the latter topped with a choice of denim or leather suspenders.

Paying homage to two countries with renowned denim production, we expect the serge de Nîmes connoisseurs to indulge in this sartorial feast. Be quick to cop yourself a piece before it sells out.

From: Esquire UK