It's difficult to find a U.S.-owned and operated fashion company that's as passionate and proud of 'Made In America' denim than Levi Strauss Co.
The Levi's Vintage Clothing arm of the denim house has released a new seasonal collection this week, highlighting the brand's longstanding connection with Cone Mills. Dubbed 'The Golden Handshake,' the new collection has beed duly named in honor of the agreement made by Levi’s and Cone Mills back in 1915.
In the beginning of the 20th century, both Levi's and Cone Mills agreed to give the factory exclusive manufacturing rights to the denim label’s proprietary Shrink-to-FitTM denim - fabric used in the production of the iconic Levi’s 501.
Fast forward 100 years and Cone Mills remains the exclusive manufacturer of the immortal style jean, which is still made in its White Oak, Greensboro facility. Celebrating the milestone, the original 501 has been replicated for Levi’s Vintage Clothing’s new Fall/Winter 2015 collection, alongside other reproductions such as a men’s sack coat from the brand’s 1915 catalog.
Cone Mills Legacy
Cone Mills was founded in 1891 by brothers Moses and Ceasar Cone, and was officially established in 1902. In conjunction with the factory, Levi’s have built their most iconic jeans, jackets and shirts - which feature in the Levi’s Vintage Collection - from Cone Mills' fabricated denim. And to show their gratitude, Levi's even released video footage of the going-on's inside the four walls of Cone Mills.
While the factory crafts denim for other brands such as Oliver Sweeney and Balliam, Levi's wanted to launch the educational film to coincide with their 'Made In The USA' Spring/Summer 2015 collection, which bowed globally this February.
Levi's 'Made in the USA' collection has been described as “a premium expression of the Red Tab collection,” by the brand and combines classic Levi’s pieces with contemporary updates, looking to the past while pushing a more modern take on everyday items. This includes selvedge denim as well as the guarantee of solid construction with each denim piece making its way through the Cone Mill factory. “Fabrics woven on these vintage looms contain a depth and dimension that is completely unique.”
The film short goes right to the denim detail showing precisely the indigo-dyed yarn, which is then woven on vintage narrow shuttle looms. Staff with over fifty years experience run the heavy-duty machines, with shots of hands and fingers stitching, sewing and cutting each and every peculiarity into the denim - from pocket to button pieces. And then the denim is formed, ready to be worn.
It's artistic in the process and very insightful, seeing the character instilled in to each piece by Cone Mills.
Watch the Cone Mills/Levi's video here.