ALIFE AND LEE TEAM UP FOR JOINT ANNIVERSARY COLLABORATION

New York City-based lifestyle brand Alife has teamed up with denim and workwear brand Lee on a co-branded anniversary capsule collection. The first drop will be released next month.

The collection celebrates 130 years of Lee and the 20th anniversary of Alife New York. Inspired by archival moments such as Lee’s patenting of the Union-Alls jumpsuit more than 100 years ago and being part of the New York City hip-hop scene in the ’80s and ’90s, this multi-denim piece capsule highlights heritage styles with an Alife twist. In 1924, the Lee 101 jean was designed to cater to the specific needs of cowboys and rodeo riders.

“As a kid, my friends and I would frequent our local Army & Navy store where there was a floor to ceiling wall of colored Lee to choose from,” said Rob Cristofaro, founder of Alife. “We would paint the back panel of the jackets with graffiti and iron creases on the front of the jeans. As a teen growing up in New York during the B-boy/Breakdancing era of the ’80s, Lee was part of the uniform. Lee jeans and jackets were offered in a palette of colors, solids, and pinstripes that people matched their sneakers, Le Tigré shirts and windbreakers to. Lee was a part of the 1980’s history of New York.”

“The collaboration between Lee and one of the original NYC street culture brands is a terrific match,” added Chris Waldeck, global president at Lee. “Alife has such a strong reputation for being in touch with the roots of downtown style, and the intent of unique Americana at its most authentic is exactly what we’re excited to deliver. The Lee x Alife collection is a limited-edition model designed for collectors, aficionados, and trendsetters.”

The collection, which retails between $49 and $260, will be available in-store at Alife Rivington Club (158 Rivington St., New York, NY) as well as on www.alifenewyork.com and www.lee.com the first week of October. Select Urban Outfitters will offer the collaboration later in the month.