LS&Co. Unzipped

Welcome to our blog. Here’s where you’ll find a “behind-the-seams” look at what’s going on with Levi Strauss & Co. You’ll hear from a variety of voices, from both inside and outside the company. And you have the chance to share your thoughts. So read on — and weigh in!

Feb 16 2011

Here Comes Our Judge...for GQ's Best New Menswear Designer

Although it was a short visit, last Thursday was a momentous occasion for the Dockers® brand in New York City. I’m talking about, of course, the GQ Best New Menswear Designer in America party held at the ultra-hip Ace Hotel.

I was in and out of NYC in 12 hours, but what a great 12 hours it was.

As part of the six-person judging panel – along with Tommy Hilfiger, Jim Moore, the genius creative director of GQ, Jim Nelson, Editor-in-Chief of GQ, Bloomingdale’s Kevin Harder, and Steven Kolb of the CFDA – I had an opportunity to view the Fall 2011 collections of the six finalists in all their glory.

The party began promptly at 7:00 pm, and by 7:15, the place was so packed with both the fashion and celebrity elite that the doormen were forced to refuse any more guests, list or not.  

Kanye West, Jessica Alba and Penn Badgley were among the guests that viewed the offerings of the diverse menswear class of 2011:

  • Rick Klotz of Warriors of Radness brought an early eighties So-Cal surf-punk sensibility
  • Patrik Ervell demonstrated his flair for minimalist understatement.
  • The colorful neo-preppy explosion of Michael Bastian’s collection for Gant contrasted sharply with…
  • Alexander Wang’s dark and futuristic take on luxury menswear 
  • Riviera Club’s update on eclectic American casual chic served as a nice counterpoint to…
  • The refined, tailored within-an-inch-of-your-life sensibility of Miller’s Oath.

After several hours of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, pictures and chitchat, it was time for the six of us to cast the final vote.

Just one-week prior, I had flown into New York to attend the initial presentations from each of the designers at the Conde Nast building.  At the conclusion of the initial presentations our response was immediate and unanimous.

After some thoughtful dialog following the party, we remained steadfast in our decision to announce…Alexander Wang as 2011’s Best New Menswear Designer in America for his T by Alexander Wang collection.

The fun has only just begun. In early March, each of the six finalists will visit San Francisco to work with my design team in developing a signature Dockers® shirt and pant, which will be sold this fall exclusively in Bloomingdale’s.

With such a diverse group of talent, you can expect some amazing variations on a theme when it comes to khakis. Stay tuned!

GQ Publisher Hunsinger and Douglas Conklyn

Posted By: Doug Conklyn, Sr. Vice President, Global Design, Dockers®

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Tags: Dockers®,Fashion,Style

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Gregg L. (not verified) - May 19 2011

I'd like to give support to Richard's suggestion to add cell phone pockets to pants of every type. I own several pairs that include a cell phone pocket, and I find its the most convenient and unobtrusive method of carrying a phone. These do not have flaps, which are not necessary...the phone is never in danger of falling out. I would buy several pairs of your jeans and dockers right now if they included cell phone pockets. Thanks.

Editor's note: Thanks, Gregg. I will make sure the designers see your comment.

Richard Weckman (not verified) - Feb 19 2011

I am an Industrial Designer, retired. My first pair of Levis were a hand me down from my sister in I believe 1948. In those days the girls were putting their new Levis on and getting into a hot tub of water. The purpose was to shrink them to their legs, by wearing them until they dried. Of couse this was done in the warmest time of the summmer. The blue dye was a problem, but they lived with it. The reason for my comments to you, is to ask you if any of your designers have considered incorporating a pocket with a flap to hold a cell phone. I know the demisions change often. with the smart phones, etc., and who knows what's coming down the pike, but as long as I wear my Levis, it doesn't matter. I don't expect to be the first to think of this, and have no expectations about patents etc. It's just an idea that I would like to see happen. If I knew anyone who could retrofit a pair of my levis, more specifically Cargo Dockers to include a pocket for my cell phone, I would submit them to you, but again, I'm sure this has been thought of. Your comments??? Thanks in advance. Richard L. Weckman

Editor's note: Hi Richard, and thanks for your comment. The denim aficionados (sometimes referred to as "denim heads") still do what you say "the girls" were doing when you were younger. In fact, Levi's® has a poster, explaining how to make your 501s® your own. It stops just short of telling consumers to wear them in the bathtub ... but the process still involves a tub.

To your other point, I was once in a brainstorming session we held with a number of "real world" workers -- contractors, carpenters and others -- where the cell phone pocket idea was discussed. I will pass along your input the folks involved in that session to let them know the demand is there. Perhaps they already have someting in the works.

Thanks again!

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