The generation game

To celebrate Levi’s unrivalled longevity, we put five inquisitive Gen Zers in conversation with five wise millennials to break the stereotype that the two different generations have zilch in common.

We’ve paired up with Levi’s (because who doesn’t love a pair) to celebrate some of the most inspiring and influential people across four fascinating industries.

This is an exchange of stories, advice and general big love. We searched out a Gen‑Z prodigy baby and a grown, sexy millennial and got them together – dressed in Levi’s of course – to share what they’ve learned so far. These conversations made up of diverse perspectives from majorly talented people, prove that while these two generations might be made out to seem at odds, there’s so much common ground between them, and even more to learn from each other.

From the world of fashion and styling, Danielle Greco and Yotti Wilkinson talk about confidence and breaking into the industry. NYC-based musician and artist TWEAKS and musician and model Mimi Mcveigh discuss the power and pitfalls of social media and getting comfortable with doubts. Tackling the overdue issues of mental health, activist Intisar Abdul-Kader and poet Larena Amin discuss accessibility and self-love. Powerful pro-inclusivity models Maxim Magnus and Jade O’Belle bond over the importance of wearing whatever you want and skater Kyra Kaur and motorbiker Viviana Gomez-Morales chat thrill-seeking.

Taken together, the common threads of looking after yourself, speaking your truth and expressing yourself however you feel comfortable to, couldn’t be more compatible. So sit back and enjoy some good old fashioned stereotype-smashing.

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NYC-based musician and artist TWEAKS, 26, catches up with musician and model Mimi Mcveigh, 20, to speak on the power and pitfalls of social media and getting comfortable with doubts.

Mimi: Where do you look for inspiration?

TWEAKS: It depends on where I’m at in life. If I’m more in a reclusive mood then I’m usually reading a lot, I’m surfing the web a lot, I do a lot of research in general. Does social media help or hinder you as a musician, or both?

Mimi: Instagram is great because you have more of a chance of people connecting with your music. But social media also hinders me, we do that thing where we see someone and it seems like they’re doing way more than you, producing way more work than you. Comparing yourself to someone never ends well, it gets you stuck in a rut. In moments of doubt, what do you tell yourself?

TWEAKS: My therapist keeps me in check, for sure. I think if making music or making art is not productive to easing off stress then take a break. If it’s giving a vibe of expression and it’s therapeutic, keep going with it, but there is a time that you should just be honest with yourself and take note if making music is not actually clearing your mind – same for any medium. What can we expect from you next in terms of projects or releases?

Listen now: Mimi on signature sound and collaborations

Mimi: I feel like I’m quite a perfectionist when it comes to my music. I’m waiting until I have something I’m really happy with to release. I personally want to create something that is new or different and doesn’t sound like any other thing that anyone else is listening to. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

TWEAKS: Just get comfortable with doubts. Doubts are natural, it’s natural to be nervous, it’s natural to have overwhelming feelings that you might not be doing something right. Don’t internalise it, don’t take it too seriously – it’s just doubt, keep going.

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Model and activist Maxim Magnus, 23, discusses transformation and taking up space with model, artist and podcaster, Jade O’Belle, 31.

Jade: What are some of the ways that modelling has been empowering for you? For me, modelling’s been empowering because it’s taught me not to be so self-aware. Sometimes doing a shoot – putting on someone else’s vision or seeing myself in a different light – can be transformative.

Maxim: It’s sort of the same thing for me. Every time I go on set and become these different characters and see myself in all these different perspectives, I see myself transforming into all of these things that I love being. This applies to both of us a lot: why is it important to be free to dress and express who you are?

Jade: Dressing allows you to live out different possibilities, sending a message out to everyone that sees you who you are as a person or who you want to be. Clothing is ultimately an adornment of your body so whenever you dress your body, your body is a political statement in itself.

Maxim: As women, we’re so policed on what we can wear and what we can’t wear and what our clothes say about us. I think it’s very empowering for us to show the world that we can wear whatever we want. Modelling has been really helpful because you’ve got people around you, stylists and photographers and people like that, who help you explore those opportunities and different personalities inside of you. And they allow you to bring them out in a safe space.

Listen now: Jade on empowerment

Jade: Totally agree with you. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

Maxim: Respect people until they give you a reason not to, instead of respect should be earned. What about you?

Jade: You’re only as young as you are right now, basically don’t sweat the small stuff. Sometimes you just have to leave the ego behind and trust that you’re doing your best every day.

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NHS mental health worker, activist and runner Intisar Abdul-Kader, 35, discusses boundaries and staying positive with poet, Larena Amin, 22.

Larena: How has your work in mental health affected your personal journey of wellbeing?

Intisar: I work with people after they’ve been through therapy and what I’ve learned is: always trust the journey, whether it’s short or long, you will get there. I see the people I work with thrive and grow afterwards and I think, wow, OK, I can do it as well. Larena, If you could talk to yourself like someone you love, what would you say?

Larena: I like this question. I would reiterate that I’m doing everything I can, and that means that I deserve things like rest and looking after myself. Putting the same energy as I do for my poetry into making sure I’m nurturing my spirit. I would affirm myself and the things I deserve. What do you think the future of health looks like in Britain?

Intisar: I’m a firm believer in the NHS, I believe in the work, the ethos, everything it stands for, but I want mental health services to be at the centre of all the conversations that are happening. I want doors to be open and I want it to be easy to use, the same way someone would find it easy to walk into A&E and get support. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

Listen now: Intisar on switching off

Larena: My mum for my whole life has told me: grow with your age. Just go with the natural progression of your life, behave as you feel you need to in that time and don’t overexert or force yourself into uncomfortable situations. What about you?

Intisar: Work stays at work. I love what I do but at the same time I love me and I need to look after me. Work will be there the next day.

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Vintage collector queen Danielle Greco, 31, chats setting up shop with secondhand seller extraordinaire, Yotti Wilkinson, 24.

Yotti: Hey Danielle, do you have any tips for other sellers who are trying to start out or that are in your field?

Danielle: My advice would be, if you’re thinking about starting a shop, be educated on vintage so you know what you’re looking for. Are you actually getting a good deal for these items, are you checking quality? And then ultimately just really loving the hunt. Yotti, how did you get into selling clothes?

Yotti: I started selling a few bits that my mum had passed down to me from her 90s wardrobe, that were too big for me at the time. I thought that the actual process of taking the photos and listing them was quite fun. I’d been sourcing clothes from charity shops and eBay for quite a few years at that point and thought to myself well why not do it on a bit of a bigger scale. What things did you find hard at the start but have now overcome?

Danielle: I feel like whenever you’re starting to do anything on your own and putting yourself out there, you always kind of doubt yourself. My shop is a personal project. It’s a way to collaborate with my friends and find some cute stuff and be able to put my personal taste out there. Taking that pressure off myself of what if no one likes this” and realising oh I just do this because it’s fun for me, was something that I had to overcome and I’m like, totally over it now. What’s your best piece of advice?

Listen now: Danielle on starting your own business

Yotti: You need to stay consistent with what you’re doing. Honestly, it took me years and years and years to build up the platform and customer base that I now have. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

Danielle: If it doesn’t scare you it’s not worth doing. I remember that all the time when I get super nervous to do something new.

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Extreme skateboarder and motorbiker Viviana Gomez-Morales, 29, discusses commitment and the power of showing up on your own, with skater and judo silver-medallist, Kyra Kaur, 18.

Kyra: What makes you standout?

Viviana: I can very confidently say that I’m the only person of colour really trying to push for inclusivity within motorbiking. I think it has a lot to do with class, I think it’s a luxury hobby that people get into when they have the ability to do so. What I’m trying to do is for women of colour who don’t have access to extreme sports, finding a way to bring them in. I think that’s what makes me different. What attracted you to judo and skating?

Kyra: The danger and the commitment that these types of sports have. Judo takes so much dedication. I moved more into skating when I got older due to the fact that I was moving a lot. While I was moving, skating was one of the things that helped me get to know my area.

Viviana: I love that you said the danger aspect of it, I can definitely relate to that. I want other people and other women to feel that same drive and that thrill, so yeah. I 100 per cent feel you on that one. What advice would you give someone who wanted to try out a sport?

Listen now: Viviana on making extreme sports more inclusive

Kyra: Start off small. Make sure you’re committed, because it takes a lot of skill, a lot of focus, a lot of time and a lot of energy, especially when it comes to tournaments. I’m waking up at 6am to hop on that coach and go, even though I might not be competing at the tournaments all the time, I’ll go to support my mates. What advice would you give?

Viviana: When I was younger I used to be quite shy and never wanted to do anything by myself. I think for me, the best advice would be to go out and do the thing you love and not be scared to show up on your own. Go out there and do it.

The full collection seen here can be purchased at Levi​.com, via the Levi’s® 247 App, and in-store

Larena wears LEVI’S® RED™ 502™ TAPER JEANS
Intisar wears
LEVI’S® MADE & CRAFTED® NEW STANDARD SHIRT, CREW RIB SWEATER,
LEVI’S® RED™ 502™ TAPER JEANS and LA PAZ SNEAKERS
Mimi wears
KIDS SHORT-SLEEVE GRAPHIC TEE, LONG SLEEVE BABY TEE, HIGH LOOSE TAPER JEANS
Tweaks wears
WORDMARK WEB BELT, HIGH LOOSE TAPER JEANS, LA PAZ HIGH SNEAKERS
Kyra wears DAISY FLOWER BOXER, WORDMARK WEB BELT, SQUARE LOW SNEAKER, HIGH LOOSE TAPER JEANS
Viviana wears CLASSIC WORKER OVERSHIRT, HIGH LOOSE TAPER
Maxim wears 70S HIGH FLARE — SONOMA TRAIN
Jade wears
70S HIGH FLARE — SONOMA TRAIN
Yotti wears 70S HIGH FLARE — MARIN BABE
Danielle wears
RIB BABY TEE, 70S HIGH FLARE — MARIN BABE

Photographer: Erika Kamano

Digi Op: Alex Gale

Lighting Assistant: Luke Gooden

2nd Lighting Assistant: Charlotte Macaulay

Production: Katherine Bampton

Associate Creative Director: Clara Goodger

Editor: India Van Spall

Digital Director: Brooke Mccord

Project Manager: Victoria De Zanche

Creative Asst: Cassandra Joseph

Stylist: Ella Lucia

Styling Assistants: Natalia Wisniewska, Miranda Mikkola

The Face Styling Assistant: Hollie Williamson

Makeup: Grace Ellington

Makeup Assistant: Scarlet Walker

Hair: John Allan

Hair Assistant: Harriet Beidleman

Casting: Found Casting

Retouch: Oliver Marshall

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