STARBUCKS STAND by BEAMS Channels Kenyan Coffee Heritage Into Its Latest Spring/Summer Wardrobe

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Summary

  • Starbucks x BEAMS launches the second edition of its Seasonal Collection on May 22, themed around Kenya, one of Starbucks’ most storied coffee-growing origins
  • The 11-piece, 25-item drop spans a crazy-pattern hooded blouson, open-collar shirts, animal-print tees, a bucket hat, cap, beach sandals, bandana, and drawstring bag, all rendered in a restrained dark-tone colorway across green and brown
  • The collection expands to a third Japanese retail door for the first time, adding BEAMS Japan in Shinjuku alongside Yokohama and the Harajuku pop-up

Starbucks and Beams are releasing a new seasonal clothing collection called “Kenya” in Spring/Summer 2026. Inspired by the landscapes, animals, and fabrics of East Africa, the 25-piece line proudly showcases the origin of Starbucks’ coffee. The collection will be available starting May 22, 2026, at select stores in Tokyo and online, and represents a growing partnership that’s redefining what clothing from a coffee brand can be.

It’s helpful to understand the background of this project. Starbucks and BEAMS teamed up to blend the worlds of coffee and fashion – something BEAMS already does well. Unlike typical brand partnerships that just feature logos or limited colors, this collaboration releases collections throughout the year with different levels: a Core Collection for everyday use, a Seasonal Collection tied to specific times of year, and a special Extra Collection. The Kenya collection is the second in the Seasonal line, following a Fall/Winter 2025 release that introduced this approach.

For this spring/summer collection, BEAMS completely reimagined their designs, starting with a fresh approach to color. While inspired by the wildlife and plants of Kenya – flamingos, giraffes, crocodiles, and coffee – the collection avoids typical bright safari colors. Instead, they used subtly dyed fabrics and advanced inkjet printing to create a more muted and sophisticated palette of greens and browns, giving the designs an urban feel rather than a strictly tropical one.

Okay, so I’ve been checking out this new collection, and there are a couple of pieces that really stand out. First, there’s this crazy hooded shirt – it’s like a lightweight jacket, but made from flannel. The designers took inspiration from traditional Kenyan clothing and mashed up four different plaid patterns into one awesome patchwork design. It’s a pretty bold look, but the fit is actually really good – it’s fitted around the neck and wrists so it doesn’t just hang there. They even added this cool little pistachio-colored tag. Then there’s this short-sleeved shirt. It’s made from cotton, but they printed it all over with elephants and coffee beans! You can wear it open over a t-shirt or button it up with matching shorts – the shorts are polyester and a bit more breathable, which is great for summer. Honestly, the whole collection feels really unique and well-thought-out.

Our T-shirt collection comes in two styles. The Animal Print Tee is made from comfortable, durable US cotton and features large graphics of iconic Kenyan wildlife – flamingos, giraffes, and Nile crocodiles – on the back. It’s available in three colors. The Kenya Print Tee has a unique design inspired by the country’s landscape, with a map and GPS coordinates printed on the chest. It has a vintage, worn-in look achieved with a special cracked print effect and a faded wash, so it feels like a well-loved favorite right away.

The collection is completed with a range of accessories that maintain the same vibrant patterns as the shirts. These include a bucket hat, a baseball cap, and beach sandals where the graphic design extends from the straps to the soles. A drawstring bag features a geometric design inspired by African textiles. Finally, a bandana (60cm square) displays the Starbucks logo and a collaborative design in each corner, offering a more subtle way to engage with the collection for those not quite ready for a full shirt.

The new Starbucks and BEAMS “Kenya” collection launches May 22nd at several locations: BEAMS Life Yokohama, the BEAMS Japan store in Shinjuku, the Starbucks x BEAMS pop-up in Harajuku, and the official online store. A temporary pop-up shop will also be open on the first floor of BEAMS Japan from May 22nd to June 21st.

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2026-05-14 10:26