Levi’s and Nigo return with a new collaboration for Spring/Summer 2023 launching worldwide on April 6th. The two-piece collection reimagines Nigo’s favourite archival pieces and draws inspiration from the past and recreates it for the present, with a theme that personifies “The future is in the past,” in his own words. A short film also accompanies the campaign, shot in Nigo’s hometown of Maebashi (Japan), the film explores many of his own formative locations and childhood activities.
A pioneer of Japanese streetwear and a denim aficionado, Nigo's personal collection of rare vintage Levi’s has been carefully sourced for decades, making it one of the most expansive in the world. For his third collaboration with the American clothing manufacturer, Nigo reimagines his own favourite archival pieces – the Hickory Stripe 501® jeans and a 557XX Hickory Stripe Trucker Jacket.
The two-piece offering has been crafted using specially developed 13oz hickory stripe selvedge denim with classic details like the Levi’s® Red Tab, signature button shanks, Two-Horse Pull back patch, and stitched arcuate on the back pockets. The Hickory Stripe 501® is a reference to an original piece from NIGO’s personal archive, it comes in a vintage wash with specific threads and shanks to match the archival reference piece. The second offering, the 557XX Hickory Stripe Trucker Jacket also comes pre-shrunk with a vintage wash and includes specific threads, sundries, plus Two-Horse Pull patch to match the archival 501. The entire collection is manufactured in Japan using traditional manufacturing techniques.
This collaboration is timely, as 2023 marks the 150th anniversary of the Levi’s® 501® jean, which began as a patent for copper rivets on work pants in 1873 and has since transformed into one of the most “iconic, democratic, and influential pieces of clothing ever created.” To celebrate this milestone, every piece from the collection comes with a special limited edition Levi’s x Nigo 150th anniversary tote bag and co-branded hangtag.
The two-piece offering has been crafted using specially developed 13oz hickory stripe selvedge denim with classic details like the Levi’s® Red Tab, signature button shanks, Two-Horse Pull back patch, and stitched arcuate on the back pockets. The Hickory Stripe 501® is a reference to an original piece from NIGO’s personal archive, it comes in a vintage wash with specific threads and shanks to match the archival reference piece. The second offering, the 557XX Hickory Stripe Trucker Jacket also comes pre-shrunk with a vintage wash and includes specific threads, sundries, plus Two-Horse Pull patch to match the archival 501. The entire collection is manufactured in Japan using traditional manufacturing techniques.
This collaboration is timely, as 2023 marks the 150th anniversary of the Levi’s® 501® jean, which began as a patent for copper rivets on work pants in 1873 and has since transformed into one of the most “iconic, democratic, and influential pieces of clothing ever created.” To celebrate this milestone, every piece from the collection comes with a special limited edition Levi’s x Nigo 150th anniversary tote bag and co-branded hangtag.