India, August 2023: When Studio Ghibli released Princess Mononoke in 1997, the epic historical fantasy film captivated Japanese audiences while breaking box office records. Today, Hayao Miyazaki’s film is considered a masterpiece, beloved throughout the world for its breathtaking animation style and timeless environmental themes. Throughout Miyazaki’s work, there is a relentless passion for the craft of animation and an unparalleled scrutiny of even the most subtle elements. Both Levi’s® and Studio Ghibli have solidified themselves as icons of culture through their dedication to detail and passion for craftsmanship. By pairing the brand’s iconic style with the film’s enchanting aesthetic, Levi’s®, and Studio Ghibli have created an artful collection with poetry woven into every piece.
With nuance and complexity, the film explores the duality of humanity and nature. In Princess Mononoke, nature is as much a character as any of the humans or animals – in fact, some of the characters are living spirits of nature. Miyazaki’s epic utilized hand-painted backgrounds depicting gorgeous forests, rivers, and animals. Inspired by the film’s landscapes and mystical characters, the Levi’s® x Princess Mononoke collection honors the environmental storytelling and transformative enchantment of this cinematic masterpiece.
Each piece captures the essence of the forest and the beauty of a deeply connected ecosystem. For the San & Wolf Trucker Jacket, the Ashitaka 501® ’93 Jeans, and the San & Moro 501® Shorts, the film’s forest and sun background are seamlessly integrated into atmospheric denim. Building off of the brand’s darker indigo pieces, the Nightwalker Denim Kimono Jacket and the Kodama Denim Overall evoke the mood of the characters’ environments. The collection’s graphic tees and hoodie gravitate towards the characters themselves, using the film’s own language to give voice to their ideologies. More streetwear-inspired than the denim, the relationship between the denim pieces and graphic tees and hoodie mimics the film’s rhythmic juxtaposition between beautiful, quiet moments and frenetic action sequences.
The collection is rounded out with a series of Princess Mononoke-inspired accessories. A classic Western-American Levi’s® bandana features San’s mystical red battle mask while the Ancient Forest Bucket Hat can be worn to complete a head-to-toe look. A San & Ashitaka Tote features San on one side and Ashitaka on the other. Finally, rounding out the collection are two coin bags, one featuring San’s mask and the other a Kodama face, which can be worn around the neck or hung off a belt loop or tote. The gorgeous, lush environments of the animation and the strength of its unique characters come to life on Levi’s® denim icons, tees, hoodie, and accessories.
“Over 25 years after its release, Princess Mononoke continues to resonate deeply with audiences across the globe as an animated icon,” said Karyn Hillman, Chief Product Officer at Levi Strauss & Co. “It was a joy to collaborate with Studio Ghibli and create such a beautiful collection that pays tribute to this compelling, artistic masterpiece.”
Levi’s® x Princess Mononoke collection is launching on 10th August 2023 and will be available on www.levi.in and 3 stores – Mall of India & Select Citywalk (Delhi) and Brigade Road (Bengaluru).
Levi’s® x Princess Mononoke collection: IMAGES