On March 17, American denim icon Levi’s® announced a collaboration with New York-based fashion brand Bode. The project will be released as a limited-edition collection that fuses personal memory with American craftsmanship.
At the center of the collection is the “Barrel Racer Jean.” The design draws inspiration from the childhood memories of designer Emily Adams Bode Aujla, as well as her former pony, Checkers. Through the medium of denim, the piece reconstructs a distinctly American narrative.
The silhouette is presented in a single straight-leg form, available in two variations: light wash and dark wash. The light wash features silver studs and red gemstones, evoking decorative motifs from the early 1950s, while the dark wash is adorned with antique-style copper studs along the side seams. Both styles are crafted from 14-ounce pre-shrunk selvedge denim and are offered in 30-inch and 32-inch lengths.
A Personal Story Woven into Every Detail
What defines the collection is its deeply embedded storytelling, expressed through meticulous detailing. The waistband features a shadow patch that references Levi’s® iconic leather back patch, with “Bode” chain-stitched on top. A custom woven label reads “Mr. Checkers’s Favorite Pair,” reinterpreting archival Levi’s® elements while introducing a new narrative layer.
Bode Aujla commented, “This project has been incredibly meaningful to me. I am truly honored to collaborate with one of the most historic American brands, and to celebrate my personal story—my childhood pony Checkers and American rodeo—through this opportunity.”
Inside the jeans, the pocket lining features a halftone print of childhood photographs of Emily and Checkers, embedding the designer’s personal memories within the garment itself. Additional elements, such as the hangtags and woven labels, reference a local equestrian competition the designer participated in with Checkers in 1996, reinforcing a cohesive narrative throughout the product.
Release Schedule
The collection will be previewed at Bode Tokyo on April 3, followed by a global release on April 10 across Bode stores in New York, Paris, and Los Angeles, as well as on the brand’s official online store.
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