Yahoo Movies Michael B. Jordan Taps Friend and Artist Blue the Great to Collaborate on New Coach Collection
Courtesy of Coach
Michael B Jordan's latest project is the product of friendship and artistic collaboration.
On Thursday, Coach launched a capsule line designed in partnership with the actor and global brand ambassador, 34, and his friend, Los Angeles-based artist and painter Blue the Great.
Entitled "Blue the Great: The Art of Collaboration," the all-gender ready-to-wear collection of footwear, bags and accessories is inspired Jordan's personal approach to style and Blue's contemporary approach to art. The sportswear and streetwear pieces feature Coach's heritage branding, as well as Blue's signature mummy-wrapped designs.
Courtesy of Coach
"Blue and I have mutual friends. I've always been a fan of his artwork, but I got an opportunity to meet him 6 or 7 years ago. We've always wanted to support one another," the Black Panther star tells PEOPLE exclusively. "I've been lucky to buy a couple pieces from him. I have the mummified African flag piece that he did. I am extremely proud of that one. I have that one at the house."
Courtesy of Coach
"His artwork reflects the times. Things he's personally gone through. It's such an emotional and powerful medium to paint your feelings and get that out on canvas and have other people interpret that," Jordan says of his friend. "Other people are projecting their experiences on that artwork too, what they see and what they feel from it too. I think he's extremely talented. To be able to work with an artist like this is a blessing."
RELATED: Michael B. Jordan Stars in Coach Holiday Campaign with His Family - and Shares Kwanzaa Traditions
The "Blue the Great: The Art of Collaboration" campaign — photographed by frequent Coach collaborator Shaniqwa Jarvis — stars Jordan, Blue, beauty and lifestyle influencers Khat and Frank Brim and artists Lindsay Dawn and Tori Kirihara. Shot in an art gallery, the campaign captures the spirit of friendship, collaboration and authentic connection.
Shaniqwa Jarvis
"This collaboration, taking [Blue's] artwork and the fashion pieces together, is the perfect example of building with your friends and turning that personal relationship into business in a successful way. What it looks like when it's done the right way," Jordan says.
Coach Creative Director Stuart Vevers added: "Mike and Blue have a great friendship, grounded in mutual respect for each other's artistic approach. The combination brought originality, dimension and significance to this collection."
Jordan first became a global menswear ambassador for Coach in 2019 and launched his first capsule collection that same year. He recently starred in the brand's 2020 holiday campaign and Fall 2021 ads, alongside Jennifer Lopez, Kōki, and Jeremy Lin.
