Inside the Levi’s x Stranger Things collaboration launch in Melbourne

Above: April Pengilly

80s sci-fi series Stranger Things is back for season three (now streaming on Netflix!), meaning it’s time to revisit the lives of Mike, Dustin, Lucas, Will and Eleven. After seasons one and two were set during the school year in 1983 and 1984, respectively, season three is set in the summer of 1985. “This is that time of year where it’s not about school, it’s about the swimming pool and campfires and parades and Fourth of July and fireworks, so there’s a kind of poppy fun to season three that’s really enjoyable before things inevitably turn super dark,” said executive producer Shawn Levy. And not only does Eleven (played by Millie Bobby Brown) have a new haircut for the third season, she also has a fresh wardrobe, thanks to the show’s new collaboration with Levi’s. Same goes for Dustin (played by Gaten Matarazzo), with both characters serving as the inspiration for the collection, which features vintage-inspired T-shirts and sweatshirts, new denim and archival fits.

“When this opportunity slid across my desk, my nose started to bleed. Getting to visit the set and work on some of the costumes with their amazing designers was another level of collaboration,” said Jonathan Cheung, SVP of design and innovation at Levi’s via press release. Given that the new season was set in 1985—the same period when Levi’s was at its peak in cultural relevancy and disruption of everyday style—and that the show’s costume designers were already mining the Levi’s archives to dress the characters, this collaboration between the two is effortless, if not obvious.

Above: Zima Anderson, Olivia Junkeer and Jemma Donovan.

The launch event was also in keeping the authentic spirit of both the denim brand and the TV show. The newly revamped Geddes Lane Ballroom in Melbourne hosted the city’s young revellers for a night of live music, dancing and denim tailoring. The downstairs space was modelled on Stranger Things’s The Upside Down, while the Byers’ living room, The Star Mall and The Palace Arcade were all recreated. Levi’s also set up a Tailor Shop for guests to be custom-fitted in the new collection. Upstairs, the live music venue welcomed performances by Luke Million, I Know Leopard and Genesis Owusu. And to keep the crowd going all night, a New York-style pizza truck and hot dog stand were stationed outside in the laneway. See more from inside the event below.

The exclusive Levi’s x Stranger Things collection is now available to shop at Levi’s, Surfstitch and General Pants.

The Mai Sisters

Leah Jay and Chelsea Williamson.

Justin Lacko and Annita Scott.

Tani and Daniel Edwards.

Josef Weir and Kate Bethune.

Anna Burgess and Dan Hamil.

Alex Zieball and Kate McDonnell.

Alicia Twohill and Kitiya Palaskas.

Tim Kano, Dan Roberts, Kelly Thompson and Elizabeth Toime.

Ashley Graham and Harrison Luna.

Harvey Miller

Blair Norfolk and Makenzia Vega.

A recreation of the Byers’ living room.

Luke Millions

Inside the Levi’s Tailor Shop.

A customised denim jacket.Click Here: Pandora Jewelry