Levi’s Brings ‘Princess Mononoke’ to Streetwear
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Levi’s new capsule collection turns the atmospheric animation of “Princess Mononoke” into wearable art. The brand teamed with Studio Ghibli, the Japanese animation studio that created the historical fantasy film in 1997, to develop the collection.
Considered a masterpiece, “Princess Mononoke” tells the story of young prince Ashitaka who’s at the center of a battle between nature and humans. Though the film was released years ago, its central theme about environmentalism and the dangers of consuming irreplaceable natural resources has newfound relevance with many of Levi’s young consumers. “Each piece captures the essence of the forest and the beauty of a deeply connected ecosystem,” Levi’s stated.
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The film’s forest and sun background are seamlessly integrated in the San & Wolf Trucker jacket, the Ashitaka 501 ’93 jeans and the San & Moro 501 shorts. Darker indigo pieces like the Nightwalker denim kimono jacket and the Kodama denim overall feature laser-printed motifs that “evoke the mood of the characters’ environments.” The film’s characters are depicted on the collection’s graphic T-shirts and hoodie.
“More streetwear-inspired than the denim, the relationship between the denim pieces and graphic tees and hoodie mimics the film’s rhythmic juxtaposition between beautiful, quiet moments and frenetic action sequences,” Levi’s stated.
Accessories round out the collection, including a Western-inspired bandana, bucket hat, tote bag and two coin bags.
The Levi’s x Princess Mononoke collection will be available exclusively to Levi’s Red Tab members on Levi’s website on Aug. 8. The collection will roll out globally to all consumers online and in select Levi’s store on Aug. 10.
“Over 25 years after its release, Princess Mononoke continues to resonate deeply with audiences across the globe as an animated icon,” said Karyn Hillman, Levi’s Strauss & Co. chief product officer. “It was a joy to collaborate with Studio Ghibli and create such a beautiful collection that pays tribute to this compelling, artistic masterpiece.”
