Lee announces the launch of a collection featuring the work of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. Available worldwide, this capsule combines legendary denim and innovative artistry in unique styles for men and women.
Bursting onto the New York City art scene in the 1980s, Basquiat's use of bright colors and bold graphics cemented him as a global cultural icon and left a lasting mark on the contemporary art world. Similarly, Lee has been influencing the world of denim for 100 years, creating styles like the Lee Rider jacket, a true original that is often copied, but never replicated.
Inspired by Basquiat's unique sense of style and personality, Lee's denim silhouettes and coordinates act as a canvas to showcase his neo-expressionist artwork. Splatter-painted jeans, bold striped sweaters, and crown-adorned denim jackets pair seamlessly with artwork like the “Warrior,” the “Pez Dispenser,” and more.
“Lee has always celebrated originality and in our 100 years we have been a part of American culture, especially in the '80s in New York,” he said Brigid Stevens, global vice president of marketing, Lee. “The Lee x Basquiat collaboration fuses art, style and culture to deliver pieces that are timeless and also unique – original icons made even more so by these iconic works of art.”
The collection includes jackets and pants, blouses, T-shirts, sweaters and sweatshirts for men and women. Highlights include:
Men's striped blazer and pants – A nod to the often paint-splattered suits that Jean-Michel Basquiat worked in, the '80s-inspired ensembles feature white stripes on the outer lining and are labeled with Basquiat's famous crown motif. Combining vintage formal wear and streetwear, it is an homage to the artist's most notable look.
Laser Printed Denim for Women and Men – Denim jackets, a wide-leg jumpsuit for her and carpenter jeans for him are laser printed with some of Basquiat's most popular motifs, including his famous crown.
Men's Denim Jacket – This version of the original Lee Rider jacket is reversed to show a print of Basquiat’s painting, “Phooey,” a piece about consumption, ownership, and where we, as human beings, find ourselves among it all.
Men's Long Sleeve Warrior T-Shirt – This long-sleeve cotton t-shirt features Basquiat’s piece, “Warrior,” a self-portrait that represents how Basquiat saw himself in the art world.
Women's Striped Pez Dispenser Cardigan – This vintage-style sweater takes its bold color scheme and stripes from Basquiat’s “Dispensing Fish” piece, with the work featured as a patch on the front.
Women's Printed Carpenter Jean with Cuffs – Exaggerated cuffs feature wall drawings of some of Basquiat's greatest muses, including sketchbook-style anatomy and his signature crown label.
Printed sweaters for women and men. – These sweaters are inspired by the works of Basquiat and how they were a visual shorthand for poetry about royalty, poverty, and life.
“Lee brought such a new perspective to Jean-Michel's iconic artworks,” said David Stark, founder and president of Artestar, an international brand licensing and consulting agency representing the estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. “We hope this collection inspires a new generation of creatives.”
The price range is $65 to $220. The collection is available on Lee.com and in-house stores in Asia, Europe and North Carolina, at US retailers Nordstrom and Urban Outfitters and on European sites Zalando and Asos and in boutiques such as Killiwatch, London and Craemer & Co.
Note: The content of this press release has not been edited by Fibre2Fashion staff.
American denim brand Lee launches a global collection featuring the iconic denim works of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. The collaboration combines Lee's hundred-year denim legacy with Basquiat's influence on the 1980s New York City art scene. The collection includes splatter-painted jeans, striped sweaters and denim jackets adorned with the famous Basquiat motifs.
Fiber2Fashion News Desk (HU)
