The underground world of the ’80s music scene is striking a chord with denim fans.
The decade’s post-punk/pre-grunge aesthetic serves as the inspiration behind Levi’s Vintage Clothing’s Fall/Winter 20-21 collection. In particular, Levi’s focused on Louisville, Ky., where the unique look and sound from bands of the time helped pave the way for the grunge explosion of the early 1990s.
“Louisville had such an interesting music scene in the 1980s and was very influential, but few people in the mainstream knew about it,” said Paul O’Neill, Levi’s Vintage Clothing head designer. “The bands had a classic look incorporating Levi’s truckers and 501s and the music often had gothic elements which all influenced how I approached the collection.”
The bands’ authenticity especially resonated with the heritage denim brand, he added.
The result is a men’s and women’s line filled with classic Levi’s silhouettes with “spooky details” and bold colors spanning yellow, purple, orange, burgundy and black.
Key pieces include the 1960s suede Trucker jacket in rich purple suede made in Italy and an oversize nylon coaches jacket with keyring zipper pull details and insect print lining. Other replicas from archives include a purple corduroy Sherpa-lined Trucker jacket, the 1960s “Spike” pant—a tapered twill jean in golden yellow with a zip fly and copper shank—and a pair of 1984 501 jeans with printed spider web under the front pocket.
Graphic Ts and sweatshirts take a dark turn, too, with prints including ants, bats, eyeball patterns and spider webs. A mix of jeans styles from the ’60s to the ’80s, checkered sweaters and flannel shirts—a precursor to the grunge movement—round out the collection.
Levi’s Vintage Clothing captured the look and mood of the era in a look book that brings together a diverse group of music lovers. The F/W 20-21 collection is available now.
