Lee and Angel Chen Combine Y2K and Workwear Aesthetics
Chinese designer Angel Chen is bringing her signature fusion of Eastern and Western aesthetics to one of the oldest heritage brands in the U.S.
The designer, whose eponymous label is sold at Galeries Lafayette, Selfridges, Net-A-Porter and more, teamed up with Lee for a women’s collection that draws inspiration from workwear, Y2K and Lee’s original mascot, Buddy Lee.
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The muse for the collection is Buddy Angel, a character created by Chen that Lee said “exudes playfulness, confidence and originality”—qualities that are echoed in the collection of colorful sportswear and denim.
“Angel and the Buddy Angel muse are a great fit to Lee’s continued celebration of women. Lee has been designing apparel for women for more than 100 years. This capsule and the attitude that it embodies celebrate that heritage while making each piece young and fresh,” said Brigid Stevens, Lee’s global vice president of marketing.
The eight-piece collection includes a relaxed-fit T-shirt with illustrations of Buddy Angel, a sweater vest with zipper and pocket details and yellow nylon/cotton cargo pants and matching cropped chore jacket.
The denim range offers a high waist bootcut jean in a vintage wash, a denim maxi skirt with a slit down the back, a coverall with a cinched waist and cargo pockets and a jean jacket modeled after a traditional silk Chinese style.
The collection, available now on Lee’s online store, select owned stores in Asia and North Carolina as well as at Urban Outfitters, retails for $75-$210.
Lee is focused on ramping up its women’s collaborations. Last summer, the brand partnered with Daydreamer, a Los Angeles-based female-founded brand known for “Made in L.A.” vintage-inspired band T-shirts. The collection tapped into Western, ’90s and workwear trends.
Chen has previously collaborated with Swarovksi, Adidas, Canada Goose and more.
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