A new collaboration between Los Angeles clothing brand Buck Mason and heritage denim brand Lee leans into the craftsmanship and quality of Japanese denim.
The men’s collection spotlights vintage-inspired updates to three of Lee’s heritage styles from the 1940s, the 101B jean, 101J Rider jacket and 91B zippered work jacket.
“Lee is such a big piece of the puzzle when it comes to American denim and workwear,” said Kyle Fitzgibbons, chief creative officer at Buck Mason. “The 1940s, specifically, that’s when we saw the first version of the 101 in modern form. The influence those jeans had on American culture from that point forward, it informs so much of what we do at Buck Mason today. It was like a dream for us, getting to connect those dots.”
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The 101B jean and 101J Rider jacket are nearly stitch-by-stitch reconstructions of styles from the 1940s, crafted in a Japanese loomstate selvedge denim from Kaihara Mills.
The 101J Rider is true ’40s reproduction of Lee’s famous Rider jacket featuring a pleated, cropped silhouette, generous sleeve, distinctive zig-zag stitch placket, and two chest pockets with a metal tack button front. The 101B jean stays true to the original silhouette with a full leg, a high, scooped back rise, button fly, and signature “x” bar-tacks at the back pockets.
Each garment is finished with archival trims from Japan and have a black and gold Lee label. Both styles are also available in 100 percent cotton Japanese herringbone twill.
The iconic 91B jacket, once crafted in denim, has been reimagined with a distinct West Coast flair. Now made from Buck Mason’s hand-burnished Rambler Suede, this leather version evokes the timeless style of a bygone era. The cropped and boxy jacket has two D patch pockets on the waist, a full zip front, and a zippered chest pocket. It can be adjusted with side-buttoned tabs.
The collection also offers vintage-inspired bandanas featuring the facades of numerous Lee factories and the Buck Mason Knitting Mills in Mohnton, Pa. The rayon bandanas are made in Japan.
The collection is in Buck Mason’s retail stores and on each brands’ websites. Prices range from $128- $898.
Mark Wystrach, lead vocalist of the country music band Midland and a long-time fan of Buck Mason, is the face of the capsule. The campaign was shot in settings reminiscent of the golden days of Hollywood and convey an era of rugged actors wearing Lee both on and off the silver screen.
“The Buck Mason team does an incredible job with storytelling, and we’re thrilled to have Mark in this campaign,” said Brigid Stevens, Lee’s global VP of marketing. “The images do a great job paying tribute to the capsule’s historic inspiration while remaining true to the Lee of today.”
