Musician Don West masters the art of festival dressing

Hendrix, Springsteen, Brown—all adored for their signature sounds, yet equally defined by their unmistakable style. Today, in an age of algorithmic aesthetics and cookie-cutter looks, individuality feels like the ultimate rebellion. Australian musician Don West rises above the noise with a soulful sound and a distinct sense of style—one that always comes anchored by Levi’s®.

On stage, he’s rarely seen without his 70s-inspired sunglasses, a Bonds Chesty singlet, and a good pair of Levi’s® jeans—an outfit formula he admits has been repeated more times than he’d like to confess. But hey, if it ain’t broke, why fix it? For festival season, West leans into his favourite wide-cut or classic 501s, embracing the heat, the sweat, and the subtle Elvis sensibility that comes with the brand’s iconic silhouettes. To beat the temperatures, he keeps a rotation of singlets that pair effortlessly under trucker jackets or act as a foundation for layered jewellery and vintage neckties. Noted.

With a sound influenced by the genre greats before him, Don’s style, too, draws inspiration from his heroes. As his signature look evolves alongside Levi’s®, he recalls his earliest memory with the brand: ‘As a middle child, I was always next in line to receive my older brother’s ill- fitting clothes. My mum took pity on me and took me to General Pants for a brand-new pair. They were very skinny— but hey, skinny jeans were all the rage back then!’

It’s a longstanding love affair with a label that’s been by his side since day one— through shifting tastes and eras—and one that naturally mirrors Levi’s® own legacy of storytelling and self-expression. As summer calls, so does the festival circuit, where Don’s latest track ‘Give Me All Your Love’ will no doubt set the tone for long nights. His off-stage soundtrack, however, plays out to crashing waves—and the occasional bottle opening, now and then.

LEVIS.CO.NZ