Levi’s and Denim Tears Create Pieces That Carry Stories

Few pieces of clothing carry as much cultural weight as denim. Worn in protest and in celebration, faded by time or dyed with intention, a pair of jeans is never just a pair of jeans. Levi’s knows this better than most. And in its ongoing collaboration with Denim Tears, the brand continues to highlight denim’s role as a medium for storytelling.

The latest Levi’s x Denim Tears collection, which is their fourth, centres on the Black Masking Indian tradition in New Orleans, specifically the Young Seminole Hunters and their Big Chief, Demond Melancon. Known for elaborate ceremonial regalia worn during Mardi Gras, this tradition reflects deep-rooted expressions of resistance, identity, and artistry.

Two of the photo-printed garments in the eight-piece collection, the Trucker jacket and jeans, feature portraits of the Young Seminole Hunters in full regalia. An intentional imperfection process ensures each print varies slightly, a reflection of the non-replicable nature of the handcrafted nature of Mardi Gras Indian costumes themselves.

The rest of the collection weaves in other visual references to New Orleans. The Track Jacket and Track Pants feature fleur-de-lis motifs, nodding to the city’s French colonial history, while rope-like gold piping recalls the ornamental uniforms of local marching bands. A black crewneck sweatshirt features the fleur-de-lis print, and a baseball tee references the domestic gingham prints seen on Southern tables during family gatherings.

Accessories compliment the collection with the same attention to cultural symbols. For instance, the line-up includes a cotton flower–printed durag and a hat featuring the same photographic print.

Photographed in New Orleans with members of the Young Seminole Hunters, the collection highlights that denim, when done right, can hold history.