Levi's is making its Paris Haute Couture Week debut with a capsule collection created in collaboration with French designer Christelle Kocher, marking a significant step in the denim giant's continued push into premium fashion and cultural collaborations.
The 10-look collection reinterprets some of the brand's best-known silhouettes – including the 501® jean and Type II Jacket – through the techniques and craftsmanship associated with French haute couture.
Developed with Kocher, who is Artistic Director of Maison Lemarié and founder of the KOCHÉ label, the capsule combines Levi's heritage with couture-level textile innovation and hand craftsmanship.
The collection transforms denim through featherwork, hand embroidery, sculptural fabric treatments, floral construction, plissé draping and resin-coated finishes, demonstrating how one of fashion's most commercially recognisable fabrics can be elevated for couture presentation.
Alongside reworked denim separates are black denim gowns, feather capes and statement headpieces, while the Levi's Baby Brooklyn Bag has also been reimagined as a couture accessory.
The project reflects Levi's growing focus on positioning its heritage beyond traditional denim, following a series of collaborations spanning fashion, music and culture. Showing during Haute Couture Week places the American brand alongside some of the industry's most prestigious luxury houses, underlining its ambition to explore new creative territory while reinforcing the craftsmanship behind its products.
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| Christelle Kocher |
"It was a privilege to bring these two teams together and see this collection come to life," said Kocher. "This capsule reflects my life between the United States and France, two countries that fuel my creative energy."
Mathilde Vaucheret, Vice President, Europe Marketing & Brand Experience at Levi's, said the collaboration represented a milestone for the company.
"Bringing Levi's to Paris Haute Couture for the first time is a major moment for us," she said. "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."
A key feature of the collection is the level of textile experimentation undertaken during its development. Research carried out at Levi's Eureka Lab at the company's global headquarters explored new applications for denim, including feather construction, sculptural volumes, hand embroidery and advanced fabric manipulation. Campaign imagery by photographer Kayla Connors focuses on these technical processes as much as the finished garments, highlighting the craftsmanship behind each piece.
For Kocher, whose career has combined luxury fashion with contemporary streetwear influences, the collaboration continues her long-standing interest in bringing couture techniques into everyday wardrobes. A graduate of Central Saint Martins, she has worked with Bottega Veneta, Dries Van Noten, Chloé, Martine Sitbon and Giorgio Armani. Since 2010 she has served as Artistic Director of Maison Lemarié, one of CHANEL's Métiers d'Art houses, while her own label, KOCHÉ, has earned a reputation for blending couture craftsmanship with modern sportswear and inclusive design.
The collaboration also reflects a broader trend within luxury fashion, with heritage brands increasingly using couture craftsmanship to reposition familiar products for high-profile cultural moments, celebrity dressing and red-carpet appearances. For Levi's, whose history stretches back more than 150 years, the collection signals that denim remains a platform for innovation as well as commercial appeal.
The Christelle Kocher x Levi's capsule debuts during Paris Haute Couture Week this July.
