Indigo Spring

Washing the shores of Australia, Japan and the American west coast, the waves of the Pacific have nurtured a relaxed coastal lifestyle. It is on the beaches and in the cities that line these shores, that the Levi’s Made & Crafted SS18 collection was developed. Reinterpreting iconic designs from the brand’s past, the colours of sand, sky and sea are translated in deep blue tones and sun-bleached shades. Wide hems, high waists and boxy shapes convey a sense of airy ease, using natural materials such as cotton, linen and silk. The ethereal patterns produced by the use of Shibori – an ancient Japanese dyeing technique, in which denim is folded and tied to be dipped in rich indigo and unwound once dry – are reminiscent of soft white cirrus clouds hovering over an undulating ocean.

Danielle Copperman is an author and model, who also runs Qnola, a brand of quinoa-based granola. As the model for this story, she spoke to us about the collection, and about her book, Well Being:

Cereal: How does your book encourage positive practices?

Danielle: Well Being is broken into five segments which encompass the entire day, because it’s easy to overlook how these times can affect you. You may have morning anxiety or stress over workload during the day. I’ve tailored rituals for each time, to promote calm, enhance focus and reduce stress, even if it’s just taking a walk for five minutes, sitting in a different space, switching off your screen or simply being still. We never give ourselves permission to stop. It’s not something which is encouraged, so, hopefully, this book will do that. And it’s worth remembering, stopping can be productive, too.

C: It is easy to be encumbered by the daily struggles life bestows. How do you feel the rituals within your book can help?

D: I wanted to put across a sense of awareness. It’s not a guidebook or a manual with which to plan your life, but more to allow yourself headspace to start making small, positive changes. A lot of people may feel this lifestyle is unobtainable, and I want to assure them it isn’t. My book doesn’t rely on going to the gym or to a class; it’s a practice you can take everywhere with you. These rituals have helped me become more aware of my own emotions and when I need to take a break. I can look after myself better now, with both food and movement.

C: How vital is a sense of story to you in regard to clothing?

D: I love clothes that have a story behind them, because they are inhabited by a sense of meaning and history. Growing up in Bath, I went to markets and charity shops to find something to customise. Buying something that had been loved and worn by someone else gave me a sense of legacy. Now, I seek out brands with a story to uncover, which is why this collection is rejuvenating. They reinterpret something old into something new, and maintain their story in the process.

C: How do you feel about the cultural influences translated in the clothes?

D: You can see the Japanese inspiration even in the angular, conceptual cuts, and the tighter fits of California. Japan has a mindful culture, where many things are spacious, stripped back and simplified, in a welcoming and calm way. The drawstring beach pants have this pleat at the front that creates a unique shape, without being constricting, and the colours of the culottes are mesmerising.

C: What is your favourite piece?

D: I really like the denim coat. It has an everyday, wearable feel as well as really soft fabric. The off-white overalls is another favourite; the colour would go with anything, dressed up or dressed down. I can imagine wearing those on a beach in Cali, or wandering in Kyoto.

levi.com/madeandcrafted