Levi's x Bode Selvedge "Barrel Racer Jean" Takes Inspiration From '50s Archival Designs
Telling the story of Emily Adams Bode Aujla’s childhood pony Checkers through discreet vintage details.
Summary
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Levi’s and Bode’s first collaboration features the “Barrel Racer Jean”, inspired by Emily Bode’s childhood pony and 1950s rodeo style.
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The collection features custom embroidery and hardware, launching at Bode Tokyo on April 3rd and globally on April 10th.
Bode is one of the few major contemporary brands committed to embracing the revival of American craft and folk heritage, a realm that global denim purveyor Levi’s has been a key figure in for more than 100 years. Last week, the designer and the denim titan announced their first-ever collaboration in Bode’s FW26 collection “Rodeo Bodeo”.
The collaboration continues the personal, heritage-driven narratives that have informed Bode’s approach since launching a decade ago.“This project has been incredibly special to me: both to work with one of America’s most historic labels and to celebrate a story so personal to me—that of my childhood pony Checkers and the American rodeo,” the founder shared in an official statement.
Levi’s x Bode’s denim capsule centers around the Bode Barrel Racer Jean — a single straight leg style offered in a light wash and a darker finish. The light wash, embellished by silver studs and red gems, draws from early ‘50s styles, while the darker wash comes with copper studs down the side. Both are composed of 14-ounce pre-shrunk selvedge denim.
Emily’s childhood pony, Checkers, makes an appearance in the collab with a special collaborative label, and a shadow patch at the waistband is emblazoned with “Bode” in chain-stitch embroidery. Inside the waist, a custom woven label says “Mr. Checkers’s Favorite Pair,” and a purple tab replaces Levi’s red tab. Finally, the interior pocket bag is printed with a vintage childhood photograph of Emily and Checkers with her own childhood signature.
The Levi’s x Bode Barrel Racer Jean is set to drop exclusively at Bode Tokyo on April 3rd, and Bode New York, Paris, Los Angeles and Bode.com on April 10th.
