Gorillaz in Print

Gorillaz have always been a visual project first. Jamie Hewlett’s art defines them as much as Damon Albarn’s music does—the four characters (Noodle, Murdoc, Russel, 2D) are so fully realized, so specific in their weirdness, that you can’t imagine the band without them. It makes sense that Levi’s wanted to do something with that.

The collaboration is at their Print Bars in Berlin, Cologne, and Munich. You choose one of Hewlett’s designs, customize the colors and patterns, and get it printed on a t-shirt, jacket, or bag. It’s a smart move because it lets you build something unique rather than just buying the same graphic as everyone else. You’re mixing Hewlett’s vision with your own taste, which feels right for a band that’s always been about the look as much as the sound.

Gorillaz have been doing this for two decades. Their debut came out in 2001 and everything after—Demon Days, Plastic Beach, Humanz, The Now Now—maintained the same principle: the image matters. The characters have evolved, the music has evolved, the projects have gotten weirder, but that foundation never shifted. This is a band built on aesthetics first.

There’s something almost relaxing about a virtual band having merchandise that actually works. No awkward celebrity sponsorship, no strange compromises. Just Hewlett’s drawings on your back, looking like they’re supposed to.