LEVI’S^® VINTAGE CLOTHING

ACID HOUSE. REMASTERED.

In Manchester, England, in the late 1980s, alternative rock collided with dance culture. Young indie bands, inspired by DJs spinning acid house for a growing club scene, asked these same DJs to collaborate on their records. The result was a heady medley of dance rhythms and melodic retro-pop. This fresh sound - defined by its loping beats, jangling guitars, psychedelic swirls and pop choruses - created a whole new scene.

As Manchester’s sound evolved, so did its distinctive style. Kids started buying up old-stock ‘70s Levi’s^® flares and wearing them oversized to stand out from the crowd. Soon enough, baggy jeans and bright colors were all the rage at local raves and warehouse parties. By the time the government cracked down on the club circuit, acid house had left its enduring mark. Its legacy lives on still - in rave culture, in modern design and in the latest edition of Levi’s^® Vintage Clothing. Complete with baggy fits, bold colors and vintage graphics, this limited-edition collection pays tribute to this moment in music history by naming it “Loose Fix” - the same name of Happy Mondays’ 12” record from 1991.

The ‘80s Manchester scene was built around big, colorful parkas, jackets, and tees, and, most importantly, vintage Levi’s^® flare jeans worn loose and long. Anything that could help the clubber stand out on the dance floor, plus offer a bit of room for movement. And, just like the music, the Manchester style was all about being loud, brash, a little rough, and having a good time. For Levi’s^® Vintage Clothing’s Loose Fix homage, that means a mix of ‘80s style wide tees and chinos, vintage oversized anoraks, tops, and sportswear derived styles from the Levi’s^® archives, plus a new 517^™ Orange Tab 517^™ Jean that’s longer and baggier to replicate that oversized Manchester look. Our new collection is sure to transport you back to the ‘80s and onto the dance floor.

MANCHESTER IN MINATURE

While each iteration of Levi’s^® Vintage Clothing is a labor of love, it’s fair to say that this season was particularly special. With on-location photo shoots off-limits (because, you know, the pandemic), we had to get creative.

Enter Ric Facchin, an artist and Mancunian (that’s someone from Manchester!) who used all this newfound time at home to pick up a new hobby: model building. Rather than depict touristy landmarks, Facchin replicates the very heart and soul of Manchester: local shops, hole-in-the-wall takeaways and graffiti-covered streets - grime and all.

For this campaign, Facchin meticulously recreated 1980s Manchester, including buildings that are no longer standing, in scales ranging from 1:28 to 1:18. To faithfully rebuild the city, Facchin started out with a blueprint. From there, all he needed to meticulously create each detail - from drain pipes to period-correct street art - was a fresh blade in his craft knife, a little resourcefulness and lots of attention to detail.