Levi’s® x HUMAN MADE by NIGO release their 2nd collaboration feat. classic denim juxtaposed with traditional Japanese designs

Levi’s® has done it again with another stellar collaboration with NIGO’s brand, HUMAN MADE. As a streetwear pioneer, NIGO is known to be a serious collector of denim — and Levi’s® denim, in particular; and with this second collaboration with the popular American denim label, he focuses on his two favourite classic silhouettes, and recreates them for Spring 2022 with traditional Japanese design elements.

Above: nigo wearing The Levi’s® 506 Trucker Jacket

The pieces personify his past-meets-present design approach, and have unbeatable quality, developed in a Japanese artisan mill using traditional Levi’s® manufacturing techniques.

Above: The 1944 Levi’s® 501® Jeans ($349.90)

There’s the 1944 Levi’s® 501® Jeans — one of NIGO’s personal favourite models; it’s crafted in 15-ounce Japanese shrink-to-fit selvedge denim, and features all the classic 501® details, including the Levi’s® Red Tab, the leather Two-Horse backpatch, and the iconic arcuate back pocket stitching, which in this collection, is painted on — a detail consistent with the original 1944 501® Jean.

Above: The 1944 Levi’s® 501® Jeans classic two-horse backpatch

Above: The Levi’s® 506 Trucker Jacket ($569.90)

Then there’s the Levi’s® 506 Trucker Jacket, also made in pre-shrunk 15-ounce Japanese selvedge denim, and featuring an embroidered HUMAN MADE logo with the brand’s famous “Gears for futuristic teenagers” tag line, as well as a Levi Strauss & Co. logo in Levi’s® red. The signature HUMAN MADE duck is also embroidered onto the jacket’s back, with the duck in flight; the shape of its wings representing the famous Levi’s® back pocket arch. And finally, there’s a small red tip on the right wing of the duck that is a nod to the classic Levi’s® Red Tab.

Above: (left) The co-branded shank buttons and
(right) embroidered duck on the Levi’s® 506 Trucker Jacket

To top it off, both the 501® Jean and the Trucker feature Levi’s® x HUMAN MADE co-branded shank buttons and come with co-branded Levi’s® x HUMAN MADE hangtags.

It’s a limited collection of just 16 pieces in Singapore, and will launch to the public on April 7th at the Levi’s® ION Orchard store.

Above: nigo wearing The Levi’s® 506 Trucker Jacket and 1944 Levi’s® 501® Jeans

To launch this collection, NIGO created a campaign that was shot in the historic Eirakukan Kabuki Theater in Japan, featuring traditional Kabuki actors and elements. The theater was built in 1901, and is the oldest Kabuki theater in Japan that is still standing in the original location that it was built. It was chosen by NIGO as the perfect setting for his juxtaposition of traditional and modern design elements in the collaboration. See the trailer here:

Above: nigo, in his campaign for the collection, accompanied by traditional kabuki actors and elements

Above: nigo, in his campaign for the collection, shot in the historic Eirakukan Kabuki Theater in Japan