Lee Announces Global Collaboration With Legendary Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat

Today, Lee announces the launch of a collection featuring the work of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. Available globally, this capsule blends legendary denim and groundbreaking art in unique styles for men and women.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240206762674/en/

Lee launches global collaboration with artist Jean-Michel Basquiat that blends legendary denim with groundbreaking art. Photo Credit is: Lee 2023 Jean-Michel Basquiat

Bursting onto the New York City art scene in the ‘80s, Basquiat’s use of bright colors and striking graphics cemented him as a global cultural icon and left a lasting mark on the contemporary art world. Similarly, Lee has been influencing the world of denim for 100 years, creating styles like the Lee Rider jacket, a true original that’s often copied, but never replicated.

Inspired by Basquiat's unique sense of style and personality, the Lee denim silhouettes and coordinates act as the canvas to showcase his neo-expressionist artwork. Splatter-painted jeans, boldly-striped sweaters and crown-adorned denim jackets seamlessly blend with artwork like the “Warrior,” “Pez Dispenser” and more.

“Lee has always celebrated originality, and in our 100 years we’ve been part of American culture, especially the ‘80s around NYC,” said Brigid Stevens, global vice-president of marketing, Lee. “The Lee x Basquiat collaboration fuses art, style, and culture together to deliver pieces that are timeless and also unique – original icons made even more so with these iconic pieces of art.”

The collection features men’s and women’s jackets and bottoms, tops, tees, sweaters and sweatshirts. Highlights include:

Men's Striped Blazer and Pant – A nod to the often paint-splattered suits that Jean-Michel Basquiat worked in, the ‘80s-inspired coordinates have white pinstripes down the outer lining and are tagged with Basquiat’s famous crown motif. Mixing vintage formalwear and streetwear, it’s an homage to the artist’s most notable look.

Women’s and Men’s Laser-Printed Denim – Denim jackets, a wide-leg overall for her and a carpenter jean for him are laser-printed with some of Basquiat’s most popular motifs, including his famous crown.

Men's Denim Rider Jacket – This take on the original Lee Rider jacket reverses to showcase a print of Basquiat’s painting, “Phooey,” a piece about consumption, property, and where we as humans find ourselves among it all.