Levi’s and Nigo partner for new collaboration celebrating 150th anniversary of 501 jeans
Levi’s has teamed up with Japanese designer Nigo again, this time for SS23 and the latest instalment of its collaborative design series in celebration of the 150th anniversary of its famous 501 jeans.
Launching worldwide on 6 April 2023 in selected Levi’s stores and on the brand’s website, as well as on Nigo’s Human Made website, the two-piece collection features archive-inspired hickory stripe 501 jeans – a personal archive favourite of Nigo’s - and a matching 557XX Trucker Jacket.
The new collaboration follows on from last month’s 150th anniversary release of dual-branded Levi’s 501 jeans and a Type II Trucker Jacket created with streetwear mainstay Stüssy.
It’s the third time that Nigo, Kenzo’s current Artistic Director and founder of A Bathing Ape (aka BAPE) and Human Made – as well as co-founder of Billionaire Boys Club with Pharrell Williams – has joined forces with Levi’s to reimagine his favourite pieces from his own extensive archive.
A pioneer of Japanese streetwear and a denim afficionado, Nigo, born Tomoaki Nagao, has spent decades sourcing rare vintage Levi’s and has accumulated one of the most expansive personal collections in the world.
The new Levi’s x Nigo collection is presented alongside a short campaign film shot on location in Nigo’s hometown of Maebashi, with the theme of ‘The Future is in the Past’.
Nigo said: “As a concept, ‘The Future is in the Past’ means looking at the past to create for the future. I found the original hickory stripe 501 at a vintage store in 1995 and haven’t seen it reproduced since then. Using the past as my reference book, I am honoured to bring this archival 501 back during the 150th anniversary.”
Both hickory stripe pieces in the collaboration utilise traditional manufacturing techniques. The 501 jeans are crafted with 13oz shrink-to-fit hickory stripe selvedge denim, especially developed for this collection. They include classic details like the Levi’s Red Tab, signature button shanks, two-horse pull back patch and stitched arcuate on the back pockets. They come in a vintage wash with specific threads and shanks to match the archival reference piece.
The 557XX Trucker Jacket is also crafted with 13 oz hickory stripe selvedge denim and comes pre-shrunk with specific threads, sundries, and a vintage wash to match the 501 jeans. Every piece from the collection comes with a special edition Levi’s x Nigo 150th anniversary tote bag and co-branded hangtag.
The Levi’s 501 jean is one of the most enduring icons of style of all time. What began as a patent for copper rivets on work pants in 1873 “has transformed into one of the most iconic, democratic and influential pieces of clothing ever created”.
