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. In creating Princess Mononoke, Miyazaki utilised 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 honours the environmental storytelling and transformative enchantment of the 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.
The Levi’s x Princess Mononoke collection launches globally online and in select Levi’s stores on August 10, 2023.
