In this lively chat, Leo Gamboa, Global Senior Director at Levi's, shares his insights on crafting successful fashion collaborations. He dives into the art of sourcing vintage denim and the emotional ties to iconic styles like the Levi's 501. Leo also spills secrets about his intense sneaker competition history and the unique aesthetic of San Francisco style. With humor and passion, he emphasizes the importance of authenticity in design, making fashion as much about personal stories as it is about trends.
Leo Gamboa highlighted the intricate process behind Levi's collaborations, emphasizing teamwork and a lengthy timeline to ensure quality and authenticity in designs.
The podcast explored emerging menswear trends like 'quiet luxury', advocating for individualism and detailed craftsmanship over bold branding in personal style.
Deep dives
Collaboration and Customization at Levi's
The role of the Global Senior Director of Collaborations and Customization Design at Levi's is primarily focused on leading global collaborations, encompassing design, merchandising, and marketing. The complexity of the title stems from the broad scope of responsibilities, which involve working with a diverse range of brands to create unique products. For example, this professional previously managed collaborations at Reebok with notable brands like Palace and Eames, leading to innovative partnership products. The position emphasizes the importance of teamwork and trust among colleagues, allowing for effective creative direction and project execution.
The Process of Product Development
Creating a new product at Levi's involves a lengthy timeline of 12 to 16 months, requiring substantial planning and collaboration. This timeline includes everything from conceptualizing designs to bringing them to market, making it crucial for consumers to appreciate the craftsmanship and thought that goes into their apparel. When discussing his first collaboration with 194 Local, he highlighted the emotional significance behind certain projects and the excitement of launching products inspired by lesser-known but creative brands. This dedication to detail ensures that Levi's products resonate authentically with their target audience.
Understanding Vintage and Contemporary Denim
The podcast discussed how Levi's is fully aware of its historical significance and presence in the vintage denim market, which has become remarkably lucrative. Vintage jeans, including pieces once worn by icons, often fetch extraordinary prices, underscoring the value that aging adds to these garments. This awareness guides Levi's efforts to recreate lost designs, such as the special jacket inspired by the brand's archives, making vintage-inspired pieces accessible to modern consumers. By integrating vintage aesthetics into current collections, Levi's maintains its legacy while also appealing to a younger, style-conscious audience.
The Evolution of Menswear Trends
In the realm of menswear, the discussion shifted towards emerging trends like 'quiet luxury' and a focus on detailed craftsmanship rather than overt branding. The speaker expressed a preference for subtle yet detailed clothing, noting an appreciation for aspects like pocket design and collar fit as indicators of quality. He critiqued certain current styles for being overly theatrical, encouraging individuals to wear clothing that reflects their personality instead of being consumed by fashion trends. This insight suggests a deeper conversation about individualism and authenticity in personal style within the ever-evolving fashion landscape.
Welcome to another semi-regular episode with friends both new and old, codename: Friday Fiasco. This Week, Jimmy and Larry are coming to you live from Notre in Chicago thanks to our good friends at Levi's, hitting the stage with Global Senior Director, Collaborations and Customization Design of Levi’s, Leo Gamboa, to talk everything from how an actually good collaboration comes together and the gold mine that is vintage denim to fact-checking some old denimhead tricks and his dark sneaker competition history so you can take your ass into the weekend in style.
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