SPIKE LEE: 30 YEARS OF ICONIC CULTURAL IMPACT
One phone call, one risk, completely changed cap history forever, and led to one of the most influential creative partnerships yet.
Legendary film maker Spike Lee picked up the phone to make a very out of the ordinary request for the time, changing the future of the fitted cap entirely.
This year we celebrate that through an exclusive, limited edition collaboration with Spike Lee to celebrate the moment where culture shifted, and a new era began.
The Red Cap That Broke the Rules
In 1996, Spike Lee requested something unusual, a red New York Yankees 59FIFTY.
At the time, this was a request that went against the grain, New York Yankees caps came in blue, and other official team caps came strictly in official team colours only.
But this request was the start of something bigger to come, and made caps more about wearing something your way and elevating personal style than just sport. George Steinbrenner’s approval gave the go ahead for production, and a cap was delivered that changed everything.
The red cap was just the beginning of the creative relationship with Spike Lee, and since then there have been endless of iconic collaborations in headwear history.
Suddenly, people weren’t only wearing a team for support, they were expressing themselves through it.
ELEVATING STYLE
For Spike Lee, the 59FIFTY became much more than just an accessory, and ended up a staple part of his daily attire.
He styled it courtside, on set, running errands, and became a well known part of his style identity.
This moment opened the door for New Era’s venture into streetwear and fashion rather than just sports, through:
- Creating confidence in your own style
- Being part of something wider, while still allowing for personalisation
HOW CULTURE PAVED THE WAY
The timing was also a very crucial detail to this iconic story. The world of music, sport, and streetwear began to overlap, giving room for the original fitted cap to evolve and change based on desired fit and style. And eventually the cap made its way into streetwear, hiphop and fashion.
And as trends do, it went global, fast.
Forever Part Of A Bigger Story
The relationship between Spike Lee and New Era has never really been about one moment, it’s something that was built over time and continues to be relevant even today.
That’s why this collaboration is so authentic, stemming from a place of mutual interest and forming a part of history.
And the influence is still present now, each time someone chooses a different colourway, tries a new cap style, or levels up an outfit with one of our signature caps.
It all points back to the moment where Spike Lee decided to do something different.
FAQ's
When will the Spike Lee collection be live?
The Spike Lee X New Era collection will launch one design each day from May the 3rd, and the full collection will be available on May 9th.
Did Spike Lee start New Era custom caps?
Spike Lee wasn’t the first to customise New Era caps, but was the first to bring the possibility into the limelight.
Is The Spike Lee X New Era collaboration limited edition?
Yes, this collection is limited edition and for a limited time only, perfect for cap collectors and fans of the New Era brand.