Entries by Bruce Muller

Stüssy & Levi’s ®

STÜSSY & LEVI'S® INTRODUCE NEW CAPSULE COLLECTION FOR AUTUMN 2024

South Africa, April 26, 2024 – Building upon their two previous releases last year, Stüssy & Levi’s® introduce a new capsule for Autumn 2024. Taking inspiration from their home state, the California based brands return with a four-piece range, consisting of a leather jacket, crispy rinse trucker, matching jean, and leather belt. Stüssy continues to apply their signature aesthetic to staple Levi’s® garments, each piece in the collection refined with custom fit, design & finishes.

Crafted from white Italian leather, the Leather Jacket comes in a slightly cropped, boxy fit and features an embroidered Stüssy stamp bearing slogan “Built Tough Worldwide Since 1980”, enlarged co-branded button shanks, and custom Two-Horse Pull patch with the Stüssy script logo. Inspired by classic western wear, the leather belt is offered in a tan colorway and features embossed branding with black paint detailing. 

The Crispy Rinse Trucker shares the same silhouette, slightly oversized and offered in a two-tone (brown & black) denim with contrast stitching. Special features include an embroidery stamp below the front left chest pocket plus co-branded patch and button shanks. Finally, the Crispy Rinse Jean comes in a matching finish and is styled as a 5-pocket pant with embroidered stamp on back left leg, button fly closure, contrast stitching, and co-branded elements.

The new collection from Stüssy & Levi’s® is now available for purchase on Levi.co.za and at the Sandton City Levi’s® Store.

About the Levi’s® brand

The Levi’s® brand epitomizes classic American style and effortless cool. Since their invention by Levi Strauss & Co. in 1873, Levi’s® jeans have become one of the most recognizable garments of clothing in the world—capturing the imagination and loyalty of people for generations. Today, the Levi’s® brand portfolio continues to evolve through a relentless pioneering and innovative spirit that is unparalleled in the apparel industry. Our range of leading denim and accessories are available in more than 110 countries, allowing individuals around the world to express their personal style. For more information about the Levi’s® brand, its products and stores, please visit levi.com.

 

About Levi Strauss & Co.

Levi Strauss & Co. is one of the world’s largest brand-name apparel companies and a global leader in denim. The company designs and markets jeans, casual wear and related accessories for men, women and children under the Levi’s®, Dockers®, Levi Strauss Signature™ and Beyond Yoga® brands. Its products are sold in more than 110 countries worldwide through a combination of chain retailers, department stores, online sites, and a global footprint of approximately 3,200 brand-dedicated stores and shop-in-shops. Levi Strauss & Co.’s reported 2023 net revenues were $6.2 billion. For more information, go to http://levistrauss.com, and for company news and announcements go to http://investors.levistrauss.com.

 

About Stüssy

In the late ’80s and early ’90s, a brand was born from the Southern California surf scene and swept through the clothing landscape to redefine the look and ideology of casual-wear. That brand was Stüssy, a label that grew organically from youth movements and inadvertently revolutionized the clothing business. 

 

Shawn Stüssy was a surfer who used to shape his own boards for friends and localsin Laguna Beach, California. Stüssy began screening t-shirts and shorts to sell along with the surfboards as a form of promotion; his surname written in a graffiti-influenced hand style was to become the company logo. Stüssy inadvertently fell into the clothing business through his deep-rooted love of surfing, and in a few short years, people were talking within the small, insular world of surf and skateboarding in the late ‘80s. Shawn set up small showrooms in New York and California and hit the road, showing his designs to stores he respected.

 

The brand grew during a time when epochal shifts that now frame contemporary popular culture were taking place. In the music scene the late ’70s gave us punk, while the early ’80s brought us a new DIY type of music called rap. Punk broke creative and aesthetic barriers and taught us that anyone could have a band. Rap pushed social boundaries and explored the ideas of remixing and sampling. These new ideas and territories created a new modern platform for fashion and cultural expression. The designs and overall aesthetic touched on references from a range of underground subcultures that resonated with Stüssy. This approach appealed to a worldwide network of creative youth who shared a common interest in surf-culture, skating and music. Limited distribution fueled the desire internationally, and those who wanted the gear found it and felt a part of something bigger in the process. 

 

With Stüssy’s success came the opportunity to travel and spread the Stüssy vibe.The clothing was inspired by an international group of musicians, skaters, DJs and artists with similar tastes; trendsetters in New York, London, Tokyo and other areas of the world were eager to get aboard this movement inspired by a network of like-minded individuals. This group of friends later became the “International Stüssy Tribe” with chapters in New York, Tokyo, London, Berlin and Los Angeles. With a strong network of tribe members wearing the brand in clubs and on the scene across the globe, the Stüssy message spread organically. The brand was committed to producing relevant, good quality clothing at a reasonable price available only at very select stores worldwide in limited quantities. This was an entirely new concept at the time, which has since been used to varying degrees of success.

The Floor is Yours

The
Floor
Is Yours

Live in Levi’s®  is an invitation to move with purpose. It’s a call to those who seek to make the world better in some way–their way. And while there’s no one way to move through the world, we believe it should always be forward. Your invitation is waiting. So go on, the floor is yours.

MADE FOR YOUR MOVES

Our clothes proudly show the marks of your moves. They’re a witness to your new chapters. Your mini revolutions. Your endless reinvention. Your progress. Whatever that looks like for you. 

They’re clothes forged for the ones who make nothing into something. Something more vibrant.

SEE WHAT'S NEW

The Greatest Story Ever Worn

The Greatest Story Ever Worn

FOREWORD

THE FOLLOWING IS BASED ON A TRUE STORY

Not just one story, but billions of stories. Captured on camera. Traded between new friends. Discovered in the depths of abandoned mines. In barrels heading across the Atlantic. Even in the obituaries section. And some are so unbelievable even we can’t believe ‘em all. But we’ve got the receipts for a few. So sit down, settle in and explore the true story of 150 years of the Levi’s® 501® jean. The greatest story ever worn.

CHAPTER 142

NO WAY, NURSE

This is the story of broken bones. Of a man in Oregon who snapped his tibia like a toothpick but refused to let the nurse cut off his 501® jeans. They don’t teach it in medical school, but that’s definitely some intensive care in the greatest story ever worn.

CHAPTER 103

PRECIOUS CARGO

his is the true story of some very precious cargo. Of fishermen importing 501® jeans to the docks of Kingston in the ‘70s, and Jamaicans exporting their style back to the world by the metric ton. And that’s one influential island in the greatest story ever worn.

CHAPTER 81

EXTRA-CURRICULAR CHEMISTRY

This is the true story of a blue jean ban. Of school principals in the 1950s who outlawed 501® jeans. And the students who bought a bucket load of bleach, turned their jeans white and wore them to school anyway. And that’s one extracurricular chemistry lesson in the greatest story ever worn.

CHAPTER 109

FAIR EXCHANGE

This is the story of a beloved family bellcow in Tbilisi, Georgia in 1982. This is also the story of a son who swapped the beast for a pair of 501® jeans. His family called him foolish. The locals dubbed him a legend. And that’s what we call one fair exchange in the greatest story ever worn.

CHAPTER 117

A CRISP CREASE

This is the true story of the crease that never wrinkled. Of crisp 501® jeans, pressed and carefully ironed down the center. And the Chicano style that started it all. A uniform everyone has tried to copy. A culture only one can claim. And that’s not a trend but a heavily starched truth in the greatest story ever worn.

CHAPTER 149

LEGENDS NEVER DIE

This is the true story of hundreds of dearly departed who’ve requested to be buried in their 501® jeans. And the one unliving legend that requested all attendees wear them, too. Most funeral directors don’t get it, but we definitely do. Because that’s just going out in style in the greatest story ever worn.

WRITE THE NEXT CHAPTER

START YOUR 501® STORY

When it comes to the greatest story ever worn, fact is stranger than fiction. Each entry is more compelling than the last. Because these stories weren’t written by us. For 150 years we’ve merely been witnesses to the world’s greatest story unfolding—yours. So fasten up the fifth button and write your entry today.

Levi’s ® X Gundam Seed

LEVI’S ® X GUNDAM SEED

Introducing a collection inspired
by the visionary series.

Synthesizing the intergalactic vision of Gundam SEED and the enduring craft of Levi’s ® , our latest collaboration takes style inspiration from the iconic anime series. Originally launched in 1979 as Mobile Suit Gundam, this groundbreaking science fiction story pioneered the “real robot” anime sub-genre with the monolithic, larger-than-life robots known as Gundam. Thanks to the immense success of the franchise, Gundam has transformed into a global cultural phenomenon with television, films, manga, video games, plastic model kits and even entire museums all inspired by the origins of this legendary story.

The collection
synthesizes the
futuristic vision of the
iconic anime series with the enduring craft of
Levi’s ® .

CLASSIC GOES INTERGALACTIC

This 12-piece collection references the iconic Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, which takes place in the Cosmic Era in the midst of an intensified conflict between Earth Alliance and ZAFT.

Featuring iconic Levi’s ® mainstays and bold basics, each piece in the collection is infused with eye-catching references to the legendary Gundam SEED.

From the 501 ® jeans and matching classic Trucker jacket emblazoned with an Earth Alliance-inspired print and easy tees crafted with prismatic printing techniques, to everyday essentials with utility details and a wear-anywhere nylon tracksuit with silver piping, the entire collaboration celebrates the enduring impact and futuristic vision of the Gundam universe.

Levi’s® x Barbie Ferreira

Levi’s® x Barbie Ferreira

Welcome to Barbie Ferreira’s subversive world. The actress and style icon applies her creative vision to a ‘90s inspired collection. This eight-piece range brings her imagination and sketches to life with her favorite color palettes and fits – Featuring bold bunny graphics, lace-up details, striking all-over prints, and her take on our iconic 501® Jean.

The campaign was captured by Barbie’s longtime collaborator and friend, Petra Collins. Her signature approach to lighting and texture immerses the collection into a dark, moody atmosphere presented with a beautiful, otherworldly touch.

Starting with her imagination and sketches, Barbie worked closely with our design team to bring her creative vision to life. The eight-piece range features tops, bottoms, outerwear, and accessories inspired by the ‘90s – equipped with her bold bunny logo, lace-up detailing, and eye-catching prints.

Immerse yourself in the collection – Tops include the Long Dress Coat crafted from washed black denim, a glow in the dark Oversized Bunny Tee, a mesh Second Skin Top with an amoeba style print, and the Lace-Up Corset. For bottoms, our ‘90s 501® Jean undergo Barbie’s creative touch with her bunny logo in a bleach splatter effect. A midrise Lace-Up Flare Jean and a chartreuse pleated Skirt round out the offering’s bottoms. A reversible Tulip hat with chartreuse denim on one side and the same amoeba print on the other tops off the collection.

Levi’s® x Barbie Ferreira collaboration launches worldwide on November 17th, 2023. The collection will be available for purchase on [enter Levi’s® cluster distro].

Stüssy & Levi’s®

Stüssy & Levi’s®

Born from the Southern California surf scene in the late 80’s and early 90’s, Stüssy has swept through the clothing landscape to redefine the look & ideology of casual-wear. What started as a form of promotion – screening t-shirts & shorts to sell alongside surfboards – grew organically from youth movements & inadvertently revolutionized the apparel business. Since its inception, the brand’s designs & overall aesthetic have touched on references from a range of underground subcultures – an approach that has appealed to a worldwide network of creative youth who share a common interest in surf-culture, skateboarding, & music.

Levi’s® has partnered with Stüssy on a new capsule collection, for Spring / Summer 2023. Inspired by our shared California roots, the range features a pair of 501® jeans and a modified Type II Trucker Jacket – two classic Levi’s® silhouettes reimagined with Stüssy’s signature design aesthetic. 

The first piece is the 501® Jean, offered in a rugged worn indigo wash. An original fit jean cut with a straight leg, 5-pocket styling, and signature button fly with co-branded shanks. Featuring an embossed Stüssy & Levi’s® motif on the front left & back right legs, plus a custom co-branded back patch combining the Levi’s® Two Horse Pull & Stüssy logos. To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the 501® Jean, this 501® includes a special edition pocket bag print & anniversary pocket flasher. 

The second piece is the Type II Trucker Jacket, offered in a rugged worn indigo wash to match the 501®. The jacket is modified with a boxy fit, relaxed armhole, added welt pockets, and includes a corduroy collar, co-branded button shanks, Baja-inspired pocket bags & inside lining with Stüssy’s eight-ball logo printed. The back of the jacket features an embossed motif, merging a classic Levi’s® button shank graphic with Stüssy’s subversive Double S design, resulting in bold visual & tactile textures. 

Stüssy & Levi’s® launched worldwide on February 24th, 2023. The second collection, going live on 10 November 2023, will be available for purchase exclusively on Levi.co.za and is a limited collection. 

Levi’s® X Emma Chamberlain

LEVI'S® X EMMA CHAMBERLAIN

DISCOVER THE STORY BEHIND THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA-INSPIRED COLLECTION.

“I would say this collection is nostalgic, outdoor-inspired and timeless,” explains multi-hyphenate and caffeine enthusiast Emma Chamberlain, who can now add designer to her ever-expanding resume. In her free time, when she’s not recording her binge-worthy podcast, “anything goes” and or conceptualizing new must-haves for her coffee lifestyle brand, Chamberlain Coffee, Emma designed an exclusive collection of laid-back looks for Levi’s®.

Paying homage to the natural landscape of her home state, Emma channeled her energy into crafting six mix-and-match separates inspired by pieces she’s loved and lived in. “I was really inspired by the fact that Levi’s® and I are both from the San Francisco area and I wanted to lean into what makes Northern California so special,” she explains while overlooking a foggy bluff. “All the pieces sort of remind me of things that I would freak out over if I saw them at the thrift store. I wanted them to have classic silhouettes that you could wear for the next ten years and never get sick of. I think all these pieces are very timeless like that.”

"LEVI'S® GAVE ME SO MUCH FLEXIBILITY AND BASICALLY TOOK MY WILD IDEAS AND JUST MADE THEM REAL."

While Emma Chamberlain is naturally creative-minded, when it came to designing the collection, she was initially daunted by the limitlessness of her own imagination. “It was really overwhelming in the beginning because I’ve never had that much creative freedom when it comes to designing clothing,” she admits with a shy smile. “Levi’s® gave me so much flexibility and basically took my wild ideas and made them real. It was literally magical.” Once she found her groove, the collection just came together naturally.

"I WAS REALLY INSPIRED BY THE FACT THAT LEVI'S® AND I ARE BOTH FROM THE SAN FRANCISCO AREA, AND I WANTED TO LEAN INTO WHAT MAKES NORTHERN CALIFORNIA SO SPECIAL."

Making a nod to the legendary redwoods, the expansive Pacific ocean, and all of the natural world in between, the collection features earthy hues, cozy-core styling, and a signature woodsy print inspired by the rings of a tree. “I’ve always found that to be such a mesmerizing natural pattern,” she explains about the print. “It’s kind of a beautiful thing that nature creates such a special, intricate pattern.”

The collection includes a versatile jacket that looks like “a cool jacket that you stole from your dad’s closet,” a color block sweater with button details, an easy sweater vest, workwear-inspired pants, a cool-hued skirt and, of course, jeans that she modeled after her favorite vintage pairs.

But, what’s Emma’s favorite piece from the collection?” I am so obsessed with the skirt,” she exclaimed enthusiastically. “It is the perfect length. It is the perfect fit. It is so comfortable. Like, that is my dream skirt. And I mean, every piece is incredible, but that skirt.”

Levi’s® X Crocs

Levi’s® X Crocs

True icons always age gracefully. Since 1853, we’ve stayed committed to creating high-quality denim & timeless designs that have become synonymous with American style and self-expression for generations. Founded in 2002, Crocs has revolutionized the footwear space with their impossibly comfortable clogs that offer a unique blend of style and practicality. Their innovative footwear is known for distinctive designs and unmatched support, making them an ideal choice for people of all ages. Loved by millions across the globe, the brand has established itself as one of the most unique footwear designers of the 21st century.

With shared beliefs in encouraging authentic self-expression, the collaboration was a perfect fit. Combining casual comfort with quality design, the collection consists of three clogs reimagined with the timeless appeal of Levi’s® denim. Drawing inspiration from traditional Japanese craftmanship and denim artistry, the capsule is rooted in style & versatility to appeal to fans around the world and redefine the possibilities of casual footwear.

The first two pairs from the collection are an elevated take on the Crocs All-Terrain Clog. The modified shoe is wrapped in Levi’s® denim fabric and completed with Sashiko stitching – a traditional Japanese embroidery technique. Offered in both navy and bone colorways, the clogs are equipped with adjustable turbo heel straps and utilize rugged outsoles with enhanced tread for increased traction & support. Special features include a Levi’s® Red Tab, button shank detailing, and a Japanese Two-Horse Pull logo on the inner heel. Each pair comes with three premium Jibbitz™, custom made for the collaboration.

The third pair from the collection features a Classic Clog bearing an all over tie-dye print – inspired by the traditional Japanese technique of Shibori dyeing. The shoe comes equipped with heel straps, ventilation ports for added breathability and a red bottom sole. Special features include Levi’s® button shank detailing, a Two Horse-Pull logo on the inner heel and eight custom Jibbitz™ inspired by 60s counterculture and archival Levi’s® graphics.

The Levi’s® x Crocs collaboration launches on September 29th, 2023 in the Levi’s® V&A Waterfront store and on levi.co.za, and will be available for purchase in the Levi’s® Sandton pop-up store on September 30th, 2023. 

Celebrate Your Curves With Levi’s® Curvy Jeans

Celebrate your curves
With Levi’s® Curvy Jeans

Levi’s® knows that confidence goes hand-in-hand with the perfect pair of jeans. But what makes a pair of jeans perfect? We turned to South African women to find out, and they said it’s all about jeans that fit like a second skin, enhancing their curves without gaping at the waist. We heard their voices loud and clear, and proudly introduced Levi’s® Curvy.

Led by Thuli Phongolo, the groundbreaking Levi’s® Curvy 2022 campaign became the biggest women-focused initiative launched by a fashion brand in South Africa—and now it’s back for its 2023 edition. Like many women, Thuli struggled to find jeans that suited her shape. But that all changed when she discovered Levi’s® Curvy jeans.

Simply looking good
just isn’t enough—women
want to feel amazing too

The Levi’s® Curvy range is fabricated with Levi’s® soft fabric technology, resulting in a blend of soft cotton with stretch that offers serious sculpting benefits, without compromising on comfort.

LEVI’S® CURVY HIGH RISE
SUPER SKINNY JEANS

The Levi’s® Skinny Curvy jeans are crafted to hug your shape with precision. Say goodbye to waist gaping and hello to a flawless silhouette! With a high-rise waist, they strike the perfect balance between show stopping style and everyday comfort.

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LEVI’S® CURVY
SUPER SKINNY JEANS

Specially crafted with curves in mind, the Levi’s® Curvy Super Skinny Jeans are like a second skin that accentuates your figure in all the right places with a mid-rise waist. Whether you’re heading for a casual brunch or dressing them up for a big night out, their versatility makes them the ultimate wardrobe staple.

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LEVI’S® CURVY
FLARE JEANS

Inspired by the original flare jeans that made waves in the ‘70s, this high-waisted fit is a no-gape zone that flatters your curves and tapers out to a retro-inspired flare. Made for the woman who knows what she wants, the Levi’s ® Curvy Flare jeans offer unmatched comfort while retaining their shape, day after day.

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LEVI’S® CURVY
STRAIGHT JEANS

Levi’s® Curvy Straight Jeans are the perfect blend of style and functionality, with a classic straight leg for everyday wear. Tailored with curves in mind, they’re crafted with a blend of cotton and stretch to keep you feeling confident and stylish wherever you go.

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Levi’s® Curvy jeans are available in Levi’s® sizes 24 – 38 (a normal SA size
28 – 42) in a variety of light, mid and dark washes and fashion finishes.

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The Levi’s® Curvy range can be purchased online, at select retailers and at Levi’s® stores nationwide. For more information about the Levi’s® Curvy range follow @levis_africa on Instagram and @Levis.South.Africa on Facebook.