Daniel Buezo starts every day the same way. “I need my coffee. It’s part of my morning ritual,” he shares over an early afternoon Zoom call — one that he admittedly joined before indulging in his signature cup of cold brew.
Buezo’s admiration for coffee stretches far beyond his personal order, though. As the co-founder of both the heritage-rich clothing brand Kids of Immigrants and the Tokyo-based café No Free Coffee, the multidimensional creative appreciates the brewed beverage’s role as a connector of community and culture. “Coffee is one of the biggest commodities in the world, and often no one recognizes how much work goes into serving that single cup,” Buezo notes. “It’s not just fuel for the day; it’s fuel for the spirit.”
That founding ethos is the driving force behind KOI and Oatly's barista workwear capsule, Pour Into Others. With the inaugural offering from the original oat milk icon and the LA-based clothing brand, the spotlight turns to those behind the counter who create the small moments that carry millions through their day. Blending KOI’s community-forward storytelling with Oatly’s deep roots in coffee, this exclusive workwear capsule is the definition of function meets form, blurring the lines between on-the-clock utility and off-duty swagger.
“These people are more than what you see on your daily cafe run,” Buezo comments. “They’re painters, they’re musicians. They have different lives outside of their jobs, so we wanted the collection to reflect that and be multi-functional.”
Honing in on these underappreciated moments is what Buezo, his business partner Weleh Dennis, and Kids of Immigrants do best. Established in 2016, KOI emerged from a desire to celebrate those marginalized and misrepresented in spaces such as fashion, which can often lack substance and impact. “There were things we wanted to share on behalf of those who couldn’t, and the brand was just a symptom of that,” Buezo recalls when thinking about the early days of KOI. “We set out to do something for those who felt unheard.”
Now, as it marks its 10th anniversary, that altruistic vision has helped the brand continue to grow and champion these kinds of compelling narratives. Remaining purposeful in its execution, KOI’s distinct point of view makes it the perfect partner to help Oatly highlight those driving the coffee community forward.
Produced from scratch, this cut-and-sew collab brings a fierce intention to each element of the collection. The four-piece line draws on insights from dozens of baristas interviewed by KOI and Oatly, resulting in an effortless balance of work and play. From design to sourcing to fabric selection, each component was meticulously selected to ensure the final product delivered on aesthetics while still withstanding a mid-morning rush.
The Pour Into Others Craft Jacket stands as a symbol of thoughtfulness. Its durable cotton-canvas blend carries stains like treasured mementos with age, while hammer loops and oversized pockets make it indispensable on the grind and in moments of downtime. Arriving as the collection’s anchor, this reliable outerwear piece boasts the collab’s signature logo (a cascading pyramid of overflowing coffee cups) that communicates the core ethos of this crossover.
“We’re at our best when we’re serving others. Pouring into just one person can create that ripple effect that carries on and on,” the designer says. “That’s the throughline that keeps showing up, not just in this connection with Oatly, but all of our work.”
Accompanying the jacket are the carry-all Messenger Crossbody Bag, a statement Barista Logo Cap, and a special Dishcloth set that references one of the most essential tools of the trade.
What appears simple on the surface is anything but in practice. As an homage to those who keep others going, Oatly and KOI present this collection as a thank-you to every barista worldwide. More than a simple service, the skill of coffee making is an undervalued art form that unfolds daily, right before our eyes.
Acknowledging the depth and dynamism of those who make it happen, the two brands bringing this campaign to life understand all that lies behind that daily cup of coffee. As Buezo puts it: “[The baristas] are the unseen heroes, man, serving their community every single day. These are the stories we want to tell.”
Shop the Oatly x KOI “Pour Into Others” collection exclusively online at kidsofimmigrants.us.
