Lee is celebrating a material innovation milestone 100 years in the making.
The Kontoor Brands-owned heritage brand has teamed with Tokyo-based Blue Blue, a denim and casual apparel brand known for its artisanal indigo dyeing and workwear-inspired designs, for a collection made with Jelt Denim.
Lee introduced Jelt Denim in 1925 as a durable solution for workwear. The fabric has tightly twisted yarn engineered to prevent snags, tears or rips.
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The limited-edition collaboration brings a unique fusion of heritage and innovation, where Lee’s American legacy meets Blue Blue’s Japanese artisanal techniques. The collection includes a reimagined version of Lee’s classic 91-B work jacket and Lee’s iconic 11-Z painter pants, both made with 10.5 oz. American Jelt.
The 91-B work jacket has a new shorter length for a more balanced silhouette. Details include a double-zip front, anchor buttons, and custom Japanese jacquard denim accents on the pockets, collar, and adjuster belt “where the jacquard loom produces a rich, textured effect,” Lee stated.
The 11-Z painter pant has easy, straight-leg silhouette. The hip and scale pockets feature Blue Blue’s Japanese jacquard denim, adding a distinctive indigo flow pattern with a soft, knit-like feel. The pant has elasticated side panels for an adjustable fit.
The collection retails for $180-$260.
Earlier this year, Lee collaborated with Japanese men’s brand, Scye, on a collection that featured the Loco Jacket also made with Jelt Denim.
