Debuting during Haute Couture Week in Paris this July, the Christelle Kocher for Levi’s® capsule unveils a visionary 10-look collection that reimagines American denim through the lens of French couture savoir-faire. Drawing on her signature “Couture-à-Porter” philosophy and her role as Artistic Director of Maison Lemarié, Christelle Kocher brings a unique vision rooted in exceptional craftsmanship to Levi’s® heritage.
Rooted in an ambitious exploration of textile manipulation and hand craftsmanship, the collection transforms Levi’s® icons from the 501® jean to the Type II Jacket into highly crafted couture pieces. Across the line-up, Levi’s® signature pieces are reworked with feather finishes, embroidery and sculptural detailing. These sit alongside more elevated silhouettes, from draped black denim gowns to statement headpieces, creating a natural dialogue between everyday denim and couture dressing. The result is a seamless blend of Levi’s® heritage and Christelle Kocher’s couture-driven approach.
Accessories further extend the narrative, with the Levi’s® Baby Brooklyn Bag reinterpreted as a couture object alongside dramatic feather headpieces designed to amplify silhouette, movement and emotion. Entirely developed using denim as the core material, the collection pushes the boundaries of the material through feather work, hand embroidery, plissé drapery, floral constructions and sculptural fabric treatments. The capsule merges the authenticity and cultural legacy of Levi’s® with Christelle Kocher’s refined couture sensibility. Intricate plissé work, feather and floral constructions, delicate lace applications, resin-coated denim fragments and leather embroideries create a dialogue between American denim heritage and Parisian haute couture excellence, drawing on generations of exceptional French artisanal savoir-faire.
“It was a privilege to bring these two teams together and see this collection come to life. This capsule reflects my life between the United States and France, two countries that fuel my creative energy” – Christelle Kocher (Designer).
“Bringing Levi’s to Paris Haute Couture for the first time is a major moment for us. With over a century of history behind the brand, partnering with Christelle Kocher felt like a natural fit. She brings a distinctly Parisian perspective with a modern edge that complements our denim heritage. Her Couture-à-Porter vision is the perfect way to elevate the craftsmanship of denim. With this collaboration, we continue to take our iconic brand into new cultural spaces in Europe.” – Mathilde Vaucheret (Vice President Europe Marketing & Brand Experience).
Across the collection, silhouettes evolve between structure and fluidity: layered denim plissé forms abstract floral bustiers, degradé feather capes create sculptural movement, while couture embroidery elevates classic tanks, shirts and denim separates into luxurious eveningwear pieces. A standout look, a full feather gown paired with a matching cape combines denim, lace and resin into richly textured surfaces inspired by fish scales.
The imagery around the Christelle Kocher for Levi’s® capsule shot by Kayla Connors focuses on the contrast between couture techniques and the raw, authentic nature of denim. The idea was for the images to feel cinematic but still intimate and spontaneous – capturing both the craftsmanship behind the pieces and the attitude of the collection. A big part of the shoot is highlighting the textile work developed for the project, including the research and experimentation carried out at the Levi’s® Eureka Lab in Levi’s® global headquarters specifically for the collection: feather constructions, hand embroidery, sculptural volumes, resin textures, and all the denim manipulations created for the capsule. The creative team also wanted to play with close-up details and movement to show the richness of the materials and the amount of work behind each silhouette.
Presented during Couture Week, the capsule stands as both a celebration of craftsmanship and a radical reinterpretation of denim. It highlights Levi’s® ability to craft bespoke silhouettes with the precision and intent required for stage performances, red carpet appearances, and other high-visibility cultural moments. It demonstrates how one of fashion’s most universal materials can be elevated into the language of haute couture while remaining deeply rooted in culture, authenticity, and innovation.
Credits:Press Office Lede Compagny Paris.
