It’s not every day that we get to inhale 150-year-old jeans, but thankfully, the 150th anniversary offerings from Levi’s® are fresh as ever. Of course, we don’t mean literal crusty jeans; the 501® jean, the world’s first pair of blue jeans, has seen constant updates over its 150-year history, which this May, culminates in a full-fledged collection and event that honours its heritage.
Called the ‘Levi‘s® 501® Experience’, the two-day pop-up event is happening on 20 and 21 May, at 72-13 Mohamed Sultan Rd, and is set to be the place where denim lovers can converge while taking part in denim workshops, customisation services via the Levi‘s® Tailor Shop and invited local artists, exclusive early access to new collections, and performances by homegrown DJs. Entry is free for all, and you may register early at bit.ly/levis501experience to snag yourself a mystery door gift.
THE LEVI’S® 501® EXPERIENCE RETAIL SHOP
The event will play host to the Levi‘s® 501® 150th anniversary collection, which will retail exclusively at the pop-up.
The capsule series features the Levi’s® 501® Original Banner Pant ($149.90), The Trucker Jacket Banner Trucker ($154.90), and other accessories with the colourful print on denim, as well as 501® logo tees. For the men, you’ll be getting access to the Levi’s® 501® Original Rainforest Rigid Selvedge ($214.90), while the collection introduces the 501® Jeans for Women Gold Digging edition ($299.90), two timeless-looking pairs made with premium denim that will stand the test of time.
Customers will also receive a Levi’s® tote bag and enjoy a complimentary customisation service at the Levi’s® Tailor Shop with every purchase at the Levi’s® 501® Experience Retail Shop.
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THE LEVI’S® TAILOR SHOP, WORKSHOPS & MORE
Denim customisation has, thankfully, been made available at the brand’s ION Orchard store, though they’re keen on bringing this experience to the anniversary event too — complete with special 150th anniversary patches, or custom embroidery and distressing. Local artists Lovage & Ken (20 May) and Tobyato (21 May) will also be on hand to give us even more options, with their art on flash designs we can use on our jeans.
To qualify for a complimentary customisation service, simply purchase any item at the Levi’s® 501® Experience on 20 and 21 May, or any pair of 501® jeans at select Levi’s® stores between 12 to 21 May.
Want to learn how to upcycle old denim? Go ahead and sign up for a denim workshop with FIN Crafted Goods, a creative studio who will teach us how to repurpose defective jeans into keychains. Workshops will take place at 1pm – 3pm and 4pm – 6pm on both days, available for on-the-spot registration at the pop-up; the first 15 participants to register per session will receive a complimentary Levi’s®-branded denim repair kit.
Look out for creative contributions from our thriving local community too! Just for this anniversary event, Levi‘s® has commissioned artists including Mr Sabotage, Lovage & Ken, Tell Your Children, Tobyato, FIN Crafted Goods and students from LASALLE College of the Arts to each design a pair of 501® inspired by their own 501® story. These custom 501®s will be displayed at the Levi’s® 501® Experience.
PARTY WITH DJ CLAMMR AND DJ TINC
There’ll be not one, but two, anniversary bashes to look forward to. The first is a NewJeans-themed party on 20 May, 6pm to 10pm, in honour of the k-pop group and Levi’s® latest global ambassadors. DJ Clammr will be helming the decks, and will give us an upbeat selection of NewJeans and K-pop’s latest hits. Then, on 21 May, nightlife veteran DJ TINC will be up on stage from 4:30pm to 8:30pm, for a sundown event that will end off the festivities on a high.
EXCLUSIVE LAUNCH: THE 1873 XX WAIST OVERALLS
Levi‘s® Vintage Clothing pays homage to the original pair of 501® jeans with a super exclusive launch — the 1873 XX Waist Overalls.
This is the first accurate re-creation of the original blue jeans created in 1873, and involved Levi‘s® Historian Tracey Panek and the Levi‘s® Vintage Clothing design team looking extensively at pieces from the Levi‘s® Archives and historical artefacts from the time period, where in the early days, vintage Levi‘s® where mainly worn by miners and construction workers. These research went into determining the fabric choice, construction, stitching, rivets, and all the little details that go into the new faithful recreation.
2023’s pair is a high-waisted, wide-leg fit that’s crafted from natural indigo-dyed 9 oz. plain selvedge Loomstate denim. The most obvious details would be the back pocket, interestingly made without the arcuate stitch that we’re more familiar with, an unriveted center back cinch, and a watch pocket on the waistband. You may also spot a gusset at the crotch, unbranded rivets and sew-on buttons, as well as all-denim pocketing and exposed selvedge at the waistband, which are all details authentic to the period.
The 1873 XX Overalls launches worldwide on 20 May 2023. Limited quantities will retail exclusively at Levi‘s® ION Orchard, B2-23.
The “Levi’s® 501® Experience” pop-up event will take place from 20 – 21 May, from 11am – 10pm at 72-13 Mohamed Sultan Rd, Singapore 239007.
Entry is free for all, and you may register early at bit.ly/levis501experience to snag yourself a mystery door gift.
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