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!

Jun 27 2011

HIV/AIDS Care -- No Matter Where

There are 1.3 million people in the United States alone living with HIV. 20% of them don’t know they have the virus. That’s one in five people who have HIV, but don’t even know it. Even now, 30 years after the epidemic began.As a result, they’re not receiving life-saving treatment. And, they may be unknowingly contributing to the spread of HIV.

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Posted By: Mark Ishaug, President & CEO, AIDS United

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Jun 25 2011

Progress. But More to Do.

If you pass by the Levi’s® store in New York’s Meatpacking District (pictured above) or Soho neighborhood, you might see something that catches your eye. I’m not talking about our amazing Water<Less™ or Curve ID jeans, but window displays that support a fight for equality. In this case, marriage equality.Now that the State of New York has made same-sex marriage legal, the windows take on new significance, particularly at this time of the year. June is when people across the U.S. and around the world celebrate gay rights.

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Posted By: Enrique "Quique" Atienza, VP, Retail & Operations, Levi's® Brand

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Jun 20 2011

For Firefighters, a Little Help

My first thought when I heard about the wildfire now burning in Eastern Arizona was how much I wanted to help fight the blaze. Fighting a huge wildfire like the Wallow fire used to be my “day job.” Now, I work in the legal department at Levi Strauss & Co., but I still feel a strong connection to those firefighters on the front lines.That connection is why I was heartened to hear that my company is donating 200 pairs of Levi’s® jeans and Dockers® pants to firefighters as part of a larger product donation to wildfire victims.

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Posted By: Eric Mueller, Director, LS&Co. Global Anti-Counterfeiting

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Jun 16 2011

A Look Back...and Ahead

I’m a lucky guy.When I joined the Levi’s® brand back in 1979, I had no idea of the adventure ahead. I started as a product manager in my native Australia, and I write now as the president and CEO of Levi Strauss & Co.It’s been quite a ride, one on which I look back with tremendous pride.

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Posted By: John Anderson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Levi Strauss & Co.

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Jun 13 2011

Targeting HIV/AIDS...With Targets

In business, you know you’re successful by setting – and, then, meeting or beating – targets. That holds for ending AIDS as well.At the United Nations High Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS last week, heads of state, ministers of health, and leaders in HIV/AIDS set some aggressive targets as well – declaring that halting HIV/AIDS requires clear goals.

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

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Jun 08 2011

Haiti and Levi Strauss & Co.

The Nation magazine has published a story outlining a series of issues about the US Government’s policy related to Haiti. While many of the issues raised clearly need further dialogue, we at Levi Strauss & Co. are focused on an allegation related to one of our contract factories there.The story alleges that one of our apparel contractors in Haiti advocated against raising the minimum wage in that country.

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

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May 25 2011

A Small Gesture in the Wake of Tremendous Loss

There’s no way to know the hurt and loss of those who’ve suffered through the recent spring storms and tornadoes in parts of the U.S. Among the most recent victims, the residents of Joplin, Missouri.You’ve, no doubt, seen images of the devastation. Here are some pictures of what was the Academy Sports and Outdoors store in Joplin.

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

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May 19 2011

The Birth of Blue Jeans

138 years ago today, our company founder, Levi Strauss, and Reno tailor Jacob Davis received U.S. patent number 139,121 for the process of strengthening men’s work pants with copper rivets. What does this mean?Nothing less than the invention of blue jeans. In fact, we call it the “birthday” of blue jeans.  We couldn’t find a cake big enough for everyone, but we did put together our top ten list of fun tidbits for you to nibble on. Enjoy!

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Posted By: Mia Rubie, Associate Editor, LS&Co. Unzipped

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May 15 2011

Not Just Cotton -- Better Cotton

Levi’s®, and Dockers®, and our newest brand, Denizen™, are known for marketing and design. We also want to be known for farming.Not that we’re buying land and leasing tractors. We’ll leave that to the experts.But 95% of our products are made of cotton. So we have a vested interest in how that cotton is grown. And that’s why we’ve joined the Better Cotton Initiative, which is committed to growing cotton in a way that’s healthier for communities and the environment – and more economical.

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Posted By: Pankaj Kapoor, Levi Strauss & Co. Social & Environmental Sustainability

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May 10 2011

The Next 20 Years

We take great pride at this company in ensuring the dignity, respect and safe working conditions of not only our employees, but also the workers around the world who make our products.In fact, 20 years ago, we took the labor, health, safety and environmental standards we used in our own factories and effectively told our vendors, “Here. These are now your standards.”It was a big risk, one that many said would put us out of business. But it was the right thing to do.And guess what? We’re still here.

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Posted By: John Anderson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Levi Strauss & Co.

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