The Levi’s® Print and Patterns team is one of the creative forces behind every print and texture you see in our products. They’re responsible for turning concepts into new prints and patterns for everything from tees to bandanas, tracking global trends and discovering unique vintage finds through vendors and the Levi’s® Archives to build collections that feel both fresh and familiar.
But what happens when none of the usual sources give them the inspiration they need?
That was the dilemma Senior Designer Holly Hapka found herself in last year. The team had been tasked with creating a desert-inspired floral print for a men’s camp shirt based on the season’s concept direction — a story of scouring vintage flea markets on a road trip through the desert — and they had hit a wall. They were looking for inspiration in all their usual spots, but nothing was capturing the look they were going for.
Then, as the team was trying to figure out a solution, Holly noticed something.
“I walked out into my backyard to do some gardening, and I noticed the huge stand of cacti in my neighbor’s yard on the other side of the fence had bloomed overnight,” said Holly. “The blooms only last for a day or two before fading, so I started snapping some photos. I’d always wanted to paint these flowers, and now I had found the perfect reason!”
Holly shared the artwork with the rest of the team, and they all agreed: It was exactly what they were looking for. So they got to work scanning the paintings and turning them into a repeat pattern.
Fast forward to spring 2025, and Holly’s cactus bloom print was in production, live on Levi.com and in Levi’s® stores everywhere.
“So much of our typical design process is sourcing inspiration and reimagining it to make it truly Levi’s®,” said Holly. “Seeing this natural beauty come to life and really being able to own the design from start to finish was so rewarding.”
“Most of our print and pattern design work is digital, and it’s not every day we get to pick up the paintbrush,” said Gail Fitzsimmons, Senior Women’s CAD Textile Designer. “It was refreshing to see Holly get inspiration right from her backyard and translate that into something real and tangible for our fans.”
Holly’s cactus bloom camp shirt is more than just a design win, however. It’s an example of what can happen when we are bold, authentic and innovative: She noticed a need, trusted her creativity and went above and beyond to create something that is uniquely Levi’s®.
And that is how originals make change happen.
