In an exciting blend of art and fashion, the estate of the iconic American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat has announced a groundbreaking collaboration with Jimmy Lion, the renowned New York-based sock brand. Founded in 2014 with a commitment to offering premium designer socks at affordable prices, Jimmy Lion has grown to become a global sensation, reaching over 50 countries and earning a place in 400 multi-brand and department stores.
ICYMNK: Jean-Michel Basquiat, a luminary of the Neo-expressionism movement, left an indelible mark on the art world during the 1980s. Rising to prominence with SAMO, a graffiti duo alongside Al Diaz, Basquiat’s enigmatic epigrams adorned the streets of Manhattan, particularly the Lower East Side, a crucible of cultural convergence that birthed early hip-hop. His transition from the streets to galleries was meteoric, with international exhibitions in his early 20s, including participation in Documenta in Kassel and the Whitney Biennial in New York. The Whitney Museum of American Art later held a retrospective of his work in 1992.
Basquiat’s art delved into dichotomies, exploring themes such as wealth versus poverty, integration versus segregation, and inner versus outer experience. His work incorporated poetry, drawing, and painting, merging text and image, abstraction and figuration. With a keen eye for social commentary, Basquiat used his art to reflect on his experiences in the black community, confronting power structures and racial systems. His visual poetics were political, offering a direct critique of colonialism and support for class struggle.
Even after his untimely death at the age of 27 in 1988, Basquiat’s influence and legacy have only grown. In 2017, his 1982 painting “Untitled,” featuring a black skull with red and yellow rivulets, sold for a staggering $110.5 million, cementing its place as one of the most expensive paintings ever purchased.
The Collaboration: Now, the spirit of Basquiat’s art will be translated onto a new canvas – socks. The collaboration between the Basquiat estate and Jimmy Lion promises to bring the artist’s distinctive style to a wider audience. With Basquiat’s bold and thought-provoking imagery, the sock collection aims to marry art and fashion in a unique and accessible way.
As the worlds of art and fashion converge, the collaboration between the estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat and Jimmy Lion is poised to make a significant impact. By bringing Basquiat’s iconic imagery to everyday accessories like socks, this collaboration ensures that his artistic vision remains vibrant and accessible to a diverse global audience. Get ready to step into the world of Basquiat with this exclusive sock collection – where art meets fashion in the most unexpected and stylish way.
Even if you don’t have a sock fettish like I do, I think these are pretty cool. Matter of fact, I think they put my other socks to shame and since I don’t have a cool 10 mill kicking it around to buy a piece of artwork from Basquiat, this is the next best thing.

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