Christelle Kocher has unveiled a collaboration with Levi’s at the haute couture shows, redefining denim with her 'couture-à-porter' approach.
Debut at Cannes
Model Toni Garrn debuted the collaboration at the Cannes Film Festival with a striking blue-black bustier dress, incorporating finely cut feathers and denim. This unique piece was a precursor to the collection that pushes the boundaries of denim in high fashion.
Kocher's Innovative Designs
From her Paris atelier, Kocher previewed ten looks that transform everyday denim into couture masterpieces. A full-length white denim skirt, striped with pearls and strass, is topped with a bolero Kocher calls a 'flower bomb of feathers and denim'.
Other pieces include lime green jeans with beaded plissé and a black halter dress pleated to recall Madame Grès' work. A jumpsuit, crafted from diaphanous silk with denim embroidery, reflects Kocher's blend of dramatic volumes and chic French couture.
Craftsmanship and Vision
Levi’s Design Global Director, Karyn Hillman, emphasized the focus on craftsmanship and emotion, noting Kocher’s view of denim as a creative medium. The collaboration stands out for its level of handwork and textile manipulation.
From Paris to San Francisco
Kocher worked across continents, visiting Levi’s design center in San Francisco and exploring samples in Los Angeles. Her expertise from Chanel’s Métier’s d’Art informed the intricate designs, merging with Levi’s pattern cutters and her Lemarié teams in Paris.
The collection, launched in July 2026, highlights the passion and dedication behind the collaboration, with Kocher noting the trust and team spirit reminiscent of couture. Future appearances of the collection on red carpets remain a possibility, as Kocher plans a relaunch of her label Koché in 2027.
Source: https://www.vogue.com/article/christelle-kocher-brings-her-couture-a-porter-approach-to-a-collaboration-with-levis
