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!

Dec 12 2012

Action Toward a Greener Supply Chain

Editor’s Note:  On December 12, 2012, Levi Strauss & Co. strengthened our company action plan after further engagement with Greenpeace.  We are now focused on the work to execute these commitments, with other companies in the Zero Discharge Roadmap, and through our individual action plan.

Read More

Posted By: David Love, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Levi Strauss & Co.

Bookmark and Share

Dec 07 2012

Working On It -- Climate Change

Over the next few decades, the Middle East and North Africa will experience less rainfall and more extreme temperatures, according to a recent report by the World Bank.Climate change isn’t a debate. It’s a reality, and for the Middle East that reality means preparing for a future that may include an increasing scarcity of food and water. And that’s just one region of the world.

Read More

Posted By: Irene Seliverstov, Analyst, Sustainability, Levi Strauss & Co.

Bookmark and Share

Dec 05 2012

A Roadmap for Change

You may have seen reports of a campaign by Greenpeace International, targeting apparel companies and the chemicals used in apparel manufacturing. It’s an important and complex issue.At Levi Strauss & Co., we’ve long been known for our fact-based work in the area of sustainability, and you’ll find examples throughout our history. We’ve focused not just on inventing and reinventing blue jeans, but also on challenging ourselves to craft them in ways that are better for the environment, for those who wear them, and for the people who make them.

Read More

Posted By: Michael Kobori, Vice-President, Sustainability, Levi Strauss & Co.

Bookmark and Share

Nov 27 2012

A Date Worth Remembering

In 1978, I was an intern in the office of Harvey Milk, who, as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, was one of the first openly gay people elected to public office in the United States.Nov. 27 of that year is the date when Harvey and Mayor George Moscone were assassinated in San Francisco City Hall. I was one of the first to find Harvey’s body. And that night, I helped lead an impromptu candlelight vigil, marking the deaths, from the Castro District, the center of San Francisco’s gay community, to City Hall. That march is repeated every Nov. 27 to this day.

Read More

Posted By: Cleve Jones, Human Rights Activist

Bookmark and Share

Nov 21 2012

Rethinking Black Friday

Like any apparel and retail company, the holiday shopping season is an important one to us. When it kicks off in the U.S. this weekend with the traditional Black Friday sales, we’ll be ready.At the same time, we agree that thinking sustainably about your purchases – throughout the year – makes sense. Do you want to buy something that you’ll need to replace in a few months, or spend a bit more on a product that’ll last?What’s the old saying? "Buy cheap, buy twice."

Read More

Posted By: Cory Warren, Editor, LS&Co. Unzipped

Bookmark and Share

Nov 16 2012

The Biker, Oil and Leather

Levi’s® Vintage Clothing digs deep into the Levi’s® archives to capture and reproduce iconic garments from bygone eras. For Fall 2012, they're paying tribute to the rebellious spirit and renegade style of the American biker.The era? Think early 1950s, when the term "biker" became associated with a two-wheeled lifestyle. The fashion? White t-shirt, black leather jacket and the 501® jean.As part of its tribute, Levi’s® Vintage Clothing invited artists and illustrators from around the world to customize black leather motorcycle jackets from its seasonal collection.

Read More

Posted By: Cory Warren, Editor, LS&Co. Unzipped

Bookmark and Share

Nov 07 2012

If Levi Were Alive Today...

Levi Strauss cared about the community.Upon his death in 1902, the San Francisco Call newspaper noted that his life had been devoted “not only to fostering the highest commercial conditions, but to the moral, social and educational welfare and development of the young men and women of the state.”If Levi were alive today, I think he would be proud to know that his pioneering spirit thrives on through the Levi Strauss Foundation.

Read More

Posted By: Daniel Lee, Executive Director, Levi Strauss Foundation

Bookmark and Share

Nov 03 2012

Election Day

“In the voting booth, everyone is equal.”- Barbara BoxerThat quote says it all. Once all the money has been spent and all the words have been spoken – trying to sway your vote – the final decision is yours.Rich or poor, brown, black or white, gay or straight – in the voting booth, each of us is equal. That means an impoverished, 18-year-old student wields as much power as a person of privilege.

Read More

Posted By: Jill Nash, Senior Vice President, Levi Strauss & Co. Corporate Affairs

Bookmark and Share

Oct 25 2012

Honoring Today's Pioneers in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS

This year, we’ve been commemorating the 30th anniversary of our fight against HIV/AIDS.  Last night, at a Levi’s® store in New York, we honored three organizations with our most celebrated nonprofit recognition, the Levi Strauss & Co. Pioneer Award.

Read More

Posted By: Paurvi Bhatt, Senior Director, LS&Co. Strategic Health Initiatives

Bookmark and Share

Oct 23 2012

One Link in Our Supply Chain: Cambodia

As the head of the Levi Strauss & Co. global supply chain, one of my responsibilities is to visit vendor factories – where our products are made – all around the globe. This means I come face-to-face with the people who cut, sew and do everything else required to make our jeans, khakis and other clothes.This is a part of my job that I truly enjoy, in large part because I work for a company that is committed to workers’ needs. By walking into apparel factories I see first-hand where we’re making progress – and where we need to do more.Case in point: Cambodia.

Read More

Posted By: David Love, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Levi Strauss & Co.

Bookmark and Share