Levi's

Probably the first word that comes to most minds when you say ‘jeans’ is surely ‘Levi’s’. In the mid-nineteenth century when news of the California Gold Rush made its way east, Levi Strauss moved from New York to San Francisco to make his fortune, though he knew he wouldn't make it panning gold. After establishing a wholesale dry goods business – clothing, underwear, umbrellas, handkerchiefs, bolts of fabric – Levi one day received a letter from a customer, Jacob Davis, a tailor. Davis informed the merchant of the interesting way he made pants for his customers: he placed metal rivets at the points of strain – pocket corners, and at the base of the button fly. He did this in order to make the pants stronger for the labouring men who were his customers. He wanted to patent this new idea but needed a business partner to get the idea off the ground. So he suggested that the two men take out the patent together. Levi was enthusiastic about the idea and the patent was granted to both men on May 20, 1873. The blue jean was born.

Makers of the original jeans – probably the most successful clothing item in history – Levi's offers a range of styles, from 501s, Red Tabs to its Vintage collection.

Phone +44 (0) 1869 360 047

View this on the floorplan

Offers

• 

  Levi's

  Levi's Vintage clothing has now arrived

  Read more

Back to listing