What we learnt about sustainable dressing at the Levi’s x Lucy Folk launch panel, hosted at Levi’s new Melbourne Emporium store

“I still make spontaneous purchases but I just need to step back away from the computer and wait at least 24 hours.”

What’s better than a denim jacket? Light enough to layer on top of a dress in summer but roomy enough to fit a jumper underneath in winter, a good quality denim jacket is a staple in many of our wardrobes. First appearing in 1967 as an instant classic, the Levi’s Trucker can be credited with shaping the denim jacket as we know it today.

In a meaningful new collaboration, Levi’s has worked with local lifestyle brand Lucy Folk to update its classic Trucker. The jacket itself, available in three colours, is simply stunning. The core of the garment is punctuated with iconic Lucy Folk jewellery reimagined as denim hardware, like collar tips covered in the brand’s instantly recognisable anchovy-textured gold. 

Looking for more ways to procrastinate? We’re with you. Come on over to our Fashion section. 

To celebrate a true feat in collaboration, a number of Melbourne-based creatives gathered at Levi’s Melbourne Emporium store and talked about what we all love most: fashion. Featuring guest panellists Maggie Zhou, a writer and slow fashion advocate, Giulia Brugliera, Fashion Journal‘s Managing Editor, and Lucy Folk’s Head of Brand Ben Mazey, the conversation quickly turned to sustainability in fashion and the importance of working together.

There was a lot of talk about the insidiousness of micro-trends, and many of the people I spoke to that night said they struggled with not buying into the latest cool thing they saw on social media. As Maggie said, “My thing is, I still make spontaneous purchases but I just need to step back away from the computer and wait at least 24 hours”, adding that feeling a sense of urgency to buy something doesn’t mean that you’ll wear and treasure it.

Maggie also revealed that before buying a new piece of clothing, she considers whether or not she will wear it a minimum of 30 times, citing that the average Australian only wears a piece of clothing seven times before throwing it out – a statistic that was honestly shocking to hear.

Among the guests, I was heartened to hear multiple stories of jackets passed down from mother to daughter and being treasured decades later. It reminded me of when Giulia shared that she still has her year twelve formal dress tucked away in a box. A few of us chuckled knowingly because there is definitely something about clothing that is rooted in memory and emotion. This begs the question: if you’re buying clothes purely to access a passing trend, how are you going to have the time to create memories in them?

One of the attendees, stylist Carlos Mangubat, suggested that we should ask ourselves ‘Is this actually my personal style or is this something I want to buy into to feel a level of social acceptance? Am I trying to fit in with my peers or do I actually like this?’.

Obviously, personal style is something that takes years to develop and it’s ever-evolving, so buying into new trends is often a way for young people to experiment with finding their voice. It was exciting to hear that many of the people I spoke to, most in their early twenties, said they turned to their own wardrobes or to op shops when wanting to replicate a new trend. 

22-year-old fashion designer Hansika told me she uses her sewing skills to repurpose clothing in her wardrobe that would otherwise go unworn, splicing together pieces to create something entirely new. This reminded me of the latest iteration of the Classic Trucker, with Levi’s instantly recognisable denim body and softer fabric sleeves emblazoned with Lucy Folk’s signature iconography. In creating unique designs with truly impressive attention to detail, Levi’s and Lucy Folk have shown us the kinds of pieces that will last lovingly in our wardrobes for years to come.

You can find the limited edition Trucker Jacket at lucyfolk.com, levis.com.au, Levi’s new Emporium Store and Lucy Folk boutiques in Melbourne and Sydney.