Starting September 22nd, our mezzanine space in our Boston store will turn into a mini-museum for Bandulu and Levi's® - a celebration of the Levi’s® Vintage Clothing 501® Timeline through the lens of one of our favorite artists.
We tapped Bandulu to hand-customize five pairs of Levi’s® 501® jeans, each pair a one-of-one interpretation of denim history filtered through his own visual language. Those five pairs, alongside a selection of Bandulu's other work and the Levi’s® Vintage Clothing 501® Timeline itself, will be on display in our mezzanine art experience from September 22nd through September 27th.
While the exhibit is up, anyone who purchases Levi's® in shop will walk away with a Bandulu customized Levi's® keychain - a small piece of the collaboration to take home, while supplies last.
The Close Out Party: September 26th, 7–9PM at Concepts BOS
We're closing out the week with an event at Concepts BOS. Here's what to expect:
- A Q&A with Bandulu and Leo Gamboa, VP of Collaborations at Levi's - hosted by Deon Point.
- DJ and drinks following Q&A.
- Customization by Bandulu.
- Full access to the mezzanine takeover - see the five custom pairs and Bandulu's art in person, as well as a journey through Levi’s® history.
- A raffle for a chance to win one of the five Bandulu customized Levi’s® 501® jeans created for this experience.
In Conversation with Bandulu
About Bandulu
Pat Peltier is an Hartford-born, New York State-based artist, craftsman, and farmer. He is best known for his work under the name Bandulu, a label recognized for its hand embroidery and unique approach to reworking second hand clothing, footwear and memorabilia. Pat started Bandulu after attending MassArt in Boston, initially using vintage and everyday garments as a canvas for his artwork before growing it into a recognized name in streetwear and contemporary fashion. His work draws from his background in illustration, animation, sports, and Boston culture, often combining detailed embroidery and beaded embellishments with references to nostalgia, pop culture, nature and technology. Over the years, Pat has worked on projects with brands including Converse, Nike, and Champion, bringing his unique approach to customization and storytelling to each project. His current current obsession with Biodynamic farming has led to a new field studies in the outdoors and the expansion of his studio practice through Slow Growth Supply and Company. While Bandulu continues to be rooted in Pat’s hands-on approach to creating, with a focus on one-of-one pieces and an ever evolving approach to textiles and garments.
About Leo Gamboa
Leo Gamboa is a New York-born creative with more than 15 years of experience across footwear, streetwear, and brand collaborations. He is currently Vice President of Collaborations at Levi’s, where he has helped build partnerships with brands and creatives including Nike/Jordan Brand, Sacai, Kiko Kostadinov, Stüssy, UNDERCOVER, AWAKE NY, Barbour, and 194 Local. Previously, Leo worked in global collaborations at Reebok. His work centers on bringing the right people and brands together to create authentic products and stories rooted in culture and connected to Levi’s heritage.
•Bandulu describes itself as 'embroidered chaos' built from vintage and second-hand pieces. Walk us through how a single vintage Levi's® item gets chosen and transformed into a one-of-one piece. What are you looking for in a raw garment before it becomes a canvas for your work?"
I’m not picky, and don’t have a template for the work I choose to embroider into. When choosing a pair of Levi’s® 501® jeans, I often look for things that have lived a life before. I like to think about the journey the pair went on after being made by someone, once upon a time; each pair has a history…I love it. I say ‘chaos’ because each paint splatter truly is embroidered spontaneously. The colors and placement are decisions I trust my intuition to guide with each stitch and piece.
•What drew you to working with vintage Levi's® as your material of choice?
When thrifting and selecting, Levi’s® are undeniable. You can spot ‘em from the side. They never did me wrong, and a stitch in time saves nine, so I see it as a humble duty to thrift and mend each one I can.
•What's your favorite pair of Levi's® jeans?
Right now, the Levi's® 550® jeans have been my go-to pair. They have a roomier fit, so I can really let loose. However, my favorite Bandulu pair is currently a pair of black Levi's® 501® jeans I picked in Paris over a decade ago. That pair is magical.
•Tell us more about your evolving journey as an artist and Slow Growth Farm.
Over the years, I’ve found a deep connection with the natural world. Being an artist, it felt necessary to take that connection I’ve built and allow it to evolve into my embroidery work. The result has been Slow Growth Farm, an agricultural exploration in its first years of research and development, aiming to fuse art and agriculture. The brand, practice, and land stewardship are ever-evolving. I have many ideas on what I envision for Slow Growth, but as a first-generation farmer who is tending to animals and the land, I’m taking it one day at a time. Hence the name, ‘Slow Growth’.
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