With Latest Collection
Trends may wax and wane like the tides, but quality is a constant. The latest Levi’s® Made & Crafted™ collection elevates modern wardrobe essentials by bringing the outdoors inside while simultaneously paying homage to the brand’s laid-back, Californian heritage. The entire collection uses the Golden State as its creative muse and catalyst, experimenting with different textures and volumes using materials like rich indigo selvedge denim, delicate silk, wool, cotton and leathers that are meticulously sourced and masterfully constructed. The sources are denoted by tasteful tags tucked into the insides of the garments.
To showcase the collection, HYPEBEAST caught up with three of the UK’s most promising creatives: designer GEO; musician Jon Phonics; and photographer Rio Romaine, to discuss how they hone their craft and to gain insights into the creative processes that shape a quality product. Shop the collection at select Levi’s® retailers and online now.
GEO
Q: What do you listen to while you work?
A: Hip-Hop, Movie soundtracks, so many different sonics. random shit downloaded from soundcloud.
Q: What are you doing during your breaks in a session?
A: Chill, draw new ideas, take my dogs for a walk, go for a drive. Most of the time, the breaks consist of more work..
Q: When do you feel like something you’ve made is complete?
A: I feel design is never completed but just temporary satisfaction, always room for more refinement.
Q: Are you still learning a lot about your craft?
A: Yes, everyday. Design pours into so many evolving areas, too much to learn in one lifetime.
Q: Who (would you say) is your work for?
A: The world, anything that may evoke some sort of emotion. Colour, fonts, the texture, anything… If it resonates its for you.
QUILTED BOMBER
The reversible Quilted Bomber is a versatile wardrobe essential, using ultralight recycled materials developed for the US Army for added warmth. Standard fit.
ZIP-UP HOODIE
The Zip-Up Hoodie is a premium basic, designed with attention to detail. Lightweight sueded fabric with soft handfeel. Standard fit.
RAIL STRAIGHT
The Rail Straight is the newest straight fit and a must have for denim purists.
Jon Phonics
Q: What’s your ritual before sitting down to get to work?
A: Before getting to work I lock off my phone, turn wi-fi to off and just listen to a bunch of records until I find something to chop up and work with.
Q: What are you doing during your breaks in a session?
A: When I’m writing I try and work in 2-4 hour intervals. When the inspiration dries up I’ll take an hour off – chill, try and get some human contact, maybe go outside for some nature, eat, then get back to it.
Q: Are you still learning a lot about your craft?
A: Writing & releasing music is a constant learning curve, I’m learning something new everyday. If I ever get to a point where I think I know everything and there’s nothing new to learn then I’ve lost site of the goal.
Q: Who (would you say) is your work for?
A: Writing music is a therapeutic process for me so my work is my motivations are most certainly selfish, if it transcends to a point where someone else identifies with it then that truly is a blessing.
TYPE II JACKET
The Type II Trucker Jacket celebrates one of Levi’s® icons. Grey Brushback.
8oz TEE
The 8 oz Tee is meticulously crafted and the perfect fit for all occasions. Vaporized finish for optimal softness.
Rio Romaine
Q: What do you listen to while you work?
A: Anything that sets the mood…. Recently it has been Soulection.
Q: Were you naturally very particular about the quality and details of your work, or is this something you’ve had to learn/are still learning as you go on?
A: Quality is essential, if something doesn’t look right, I get very agitated until I’m satisfied, I’m bit of a perfectionist.
Q: What are you doing during your breaks in a session?
A: Figuring what can be done better for when I continue the shoot or researching.
Q: Do you find different projects teach you different things? Recent example?
A: Every project varies but I have done a book on beauty where I wanted to show that every imperfection is beautiful and never to be ashamed to love yourself. In my research I have found there is a thing called the golden ratio which measures beauty by mathematics. To be honest I believe beauty purely subjective….
Q: Who (would you say) is your work for?
A: The world and the people who want to be inspired by art and fashion.
OVERSHIRT
The Overshirt is an essential part of Levi’s® DNA and craftsmanship, with all the details of a traditional overshirt, but modernized with a standard fit and adjusted pocket size for a modern tailored look. Compact uneven textural patterns created by using indigo dipped threads.
CORDUROY LINED UTILITY JACKET
The Utility Jacket is a unique modern and tailored take on a workwear jacket. Standard fit.
PROPRIETARY INDIGO SELVEDGE DENIM
Exclusive to Levi’s® Made & Crafted™
