Levi’s teams up with Arts Thread Design, an online worldwide portfolio hosting website for students, for the pair’s third installment of the Levi’s x Arts Thread Design competition.
The competition challenges young designers to create new product for Levi’s, each year adding a new twist. This year, designers are tasked with updating Levi’s Engineered Jeans (LEJ), which made waves almost 20 years ago when Levi’s first debuted the style. LEJ jeans feature ergonomically twisted leg seams to provide a better relationship between form, function and fabric with an emphasis on movement and sustainability.
Participants will be asked to give their own LEJ philosophy, and will also be charged with designing a capsule collection of four to eight outfits for men, women or gender neutral. The winner of the competition will land a 10-week internship with Levi’s next summer, offering an opportunity to learn from veteran denimheads and brand experts.
Competiors can borrow design elements from the original version of LEJ, or completely overhaul and re-invent the idea, bringing the style into the 21st century through updated silhouettes and more. Competitors are meant to focus on a fresh and modern take on LEJ’s philosophy of comfort and movement.
“At Levi’s, we believe it’s the people who make all the difference, so nurturing the next generation of young talent is a priority for us,” Jonathan Cheung, head of design for Levi’s, told Levi’s Unzipped blog. “Come find us. Show us your voice and your vision through this contest.”
