MAN OF ACTION – DARE TO DREAM, DARE TO ACT
The New Generation of Buddy Lee is Here
#LeeJeans #LeeJeansHK #BuddyLee #ManofAction
Dare to Dream, Dare to Act – this is more than just a motto.
When we are young, we learn from our elders. As adults, we must follow our superiors’ orders. It seems we live our lives to meet the expectations of others, and who of us hasn’t felt overwhelmed at times? Lee embraces the principles of the “Man of Action” and invites you on a journey of self-discovery guided by the intrepid Buddy Lee, lovable icon of Lee Jeans for more than a century. So, whether you opt for days of quiet servitude or a life of grand adventure, you can dream and act for yourself starting from today!
135 years of Daring Actions
Established in 1889, Lee started by crafting workwear for railroad laborers, progressing through the cowboy culture, to become a modern fashion icon today. The brand has offered innovation all along the way, allowing everyone to express themselves with denim and maintaining itself as a leader in the denim industry with daring actions.
Designed for those who dare to challenge norms and push boundaries, Lee’s denim apparel demonstrates the spirit of forging new frontiers. This is exemplified by Lee’s first spokesperson, Buddy Lee, who follows the “Man of Action” credo — dare to dream, and stride boldly ahead.
New Generation Buddy Lee: More Stylish, Unwavering in Bold Spirit
With over 100 years of history, Buddy Lee has gained in popularity with his fearless spirit. Never backing down in the face of danger, he exudes the confidence and attitude of Lee, much like the durability of its denim. Over the years, Buddy Lee has evolved, appearing in various styles that are greatly pursued by toy collectors globally.
In 2024, Lee officially launched the new generation Buddy Lee. He has transformed from an innocent infant to a stylish boy. Today’s Buddy Lee features a trendy undercut hairstyle, while retaining his chubby round cheeks, large eyes with a mischievous look, and a cheeky grin. Dressed in Lee apparel, he projects a confident vibe that is sure to spark a buying frenzy!
Life is Short, Max it Out
To celebrate its 135th anniversary, Lee has invited a team with Hollywood film production experience to produce a new stop-motion animation titled “Life is Short, Max it Out.” The line-up includes top creatives in the industry, led by New Zealand’s renowned stop-motion animator Adam Rowland who is joined by John Craney, famous for his work on the “The Lord of the Rings” film series. Thalia Lane, who worked as outfit designer on Netflix’s “Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio”, has fashioned the denim apparel and accessories on Buddy Lee. Together, they have created a work that mirrors life itself.
The team has spent considerable time meticulously developing the lively Buddy Lee, with exquisite scenes entirely made from Lee’s denim fabric and trims. The animation opens with a pair of signature Lee jeans serving as a canvas which transforms into a variety of settings featured in Buddy Lee’s wondrous adventure in the world of denim. Buddy Lee is not just a Man of Action but also personifies a variety of life roles, whether as an extreme cyclist, actor, meditator, DJ, basketball player, or motorcyclist. Outfitted in Lee denim, he is able to embrace dreams, confidently meet every challenge, and relish life’s journeys with his own dash of panache.
Life is Short, Max it Out. Denim isn’t just fabric; it is also a fashion statement and a canvas of life in action. Dive into your life story with Lee, just like Buddy Lee surfing freely on waves of denim!
To celebrate the 135th anniversary, Lee will be holding a series of exciting online and offline events. For more details, please stay tuned to Lee’s social media.
Here’s a brief introduction to the main members of the stop-motion animation team:
Adam Rowland
Project lead and founder of Awkward Animations studio, Adam specializes in creating award-winning stop-motion animations globally. He has experience working at the Oscar-winning British studio Aardman, where he took on roles in writing, producing, directing, and animating.
John Craney
Lead puppeteer for Buddy Lee, John contributed to the stop-motion film “The Missing Link” and works at Rubberband LTD in New Zealand, known for props in films like “Avatar”, “The Lord of the Rings” and “Thor”. He previously supervised puppetry at Laika.
Thalia Lane
Responsible for the Buddy Lee denim shirt and overalls, Thalia has crafted costumes for Netflix’s “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio”, “The Missing Link”, “Kubo and the Two Strings”, and “Fantastic Mr. Fox”.
John Wright
Armature specialist for the Buddy Lee puppet, John has brought characters to life and he supports projects like “Wallace and Gromit”.
Pete Whittaker
An experienced cinematographer from New Zealand, Pete brings extensive experience to the project.