In the spirit of customisation and collaboration, Levi’s® South Africa show off their pioneering spirit by collaborating with the progressive creative collective, The Sartists. The faces and storytellers behind the Jozi-based collective are Andile Buka, Kabelo Kungwane, Wanda Lephoto and Xzavier Zulu, all like-minded youths on a mission to challenge ideas in modern society and take a documentary approach to style and identity.
Levi’s® has played a big part in their lives with Wanda saying, “Throughout the years, we’ve shared our own individual love of the Levi’s brand whether it was Xzavier customising denim on his bedroom floor years ago, or Kabelo and I thrifting our now 250+ collection, in the streets of Johannesburg. It was a dream come true to share our stories through a brand that has a growing voice in our communities and one that we love.”
Together, Levi’s® and The Sartists explored distinctively South African identities and culture and created 7 unique patches that can be used to customise any Levi’s® garment. The Sartists note “Africa Is The Future”, “Dynamite Denim Dudes” and “Super 16” as some of their favorite designs.
The patches were inspired by South African township culture, signage and vernacular art, The Sartists explain, “We’ve always acknowledged the exploitation of our history, cultures and traditions and this inspires us to represent our people and take our culture forward by addressing the issues that rid us of our individuality.”
In addition to the patches The Sartists created a localised Lookbook that was hugely inspired by the famous Spike Lee movie School Daze as well as famous 90’s sitcom couples such as Urkle and Laura from Family Matters, “A story on love and young love was at the centre of this conversation,” says The Sartists. Levi’s® X The Sartists patches will be available in all Levi’s stores across South Africa on 26 April, until stocks last.
