LS&Co. Unzipped
Aug 10 2012
Olympic-Sized Memories
Here’s one thing you may not have thought about while watching the 2012 London Olympics: The range of participants’ clothing sizes.
I speak from experience when I tell you that it runs from XXXS to XXXXL.
Levi Strauss & Co. was the official outfitter of the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. And I was lucky enough to get to work there. That’s right – I was paid to work the Olympics! It was an amazing privilege.
I was part of a company team that spent three weeks at hotels near Los Angeles International Airport. We outfitted everyone from the U.S. Olympic athletes to members of the Olympic staff.
The job involved packing and unpacking cartons of clothing, while also managing logistics and running a concierge desk for guests of the company who attended the games.
Sewing machine operators along with their machines and thousands of garment boxes filled a hotel grand ballroom. And Olympic athletes filed through to pick up their opening ceremony outfits, as well as sweatpants, tee-shirts, duffel bags and more.
Those sewing machine operators were ready to make on-the-spot alterations for those who needed them. That’s service, huh?
1984 was a long time ago, but working the Los Angeles Games was a gold-medal experience I’ll never forget – and one that leaps to mind with every Olympic Games.
Ann wearing a Levi's® Olympic outfit at the Olympic Village.
Ann wearing her Levi's® Olympic outfit, complete with official hat and duffel bag.
Posted By: Ann Galindo, Levi Strauss & Co. Information Technology |
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2013
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Chet (not verified) - Apr 14 2013
I'd love to see a compendium of ALL the Olympic uniforms Levi's provided. I've always thought they were the best the US ever had - totally Levi's and thus uniquely American. The 1980 and 1984 winter games parade uniforms were particularly great, as were the 1980 podium outfits (worn by Eric Heiden and the "Miracle on Ice" hockey team). Do you think one of your archivists could do this? Thank you!
Editor's note: Hi Chet. I'll see if we can put something together. No promises, but it doesn't hurt to ask! Thank you for your comment.
applepies (not verified) - Aug 28 2012
Love to hear that the 1984 Olympic Athletes were wearing "Made in the U.S.A." outfits for the Opening Ceremonies...nothing more American than baseball, applepie, and Levi's!! Wonder if there were any specialty items that were available to the public...
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