Levis Red Archive Could Be the Most Expensive Jeans This Year

 

(L) BLUE PRINT DENIM JACKET | (R) COMFORT RIGID DENIM JEANS 

 

 

Levi's has reintroduced the first Levi's RED collection in seven years and it does not come cheap. The most expensive item is the 'Low Crotch Twisted Jeans' (below) which run a cool $1458 and the least expensive are the t-shirts at $279. 

...pause for quick up and down scroll and scrutiny of all Levi's RED Archive items here...

...additional pause for indignant reaction here...

In defense of the price, Levi's RED is a premium concept  dedicated to reinventing the iconic Levi's 5-pocket style with new forms and aesthetics. Since it's debut in 1999, there have only been seven collections, Levi's RED Archive being the eighth. The pieces in the current iteration were selected from the first ever Levi's RED release called Twisted RED, a collection that marked the turning point in reinventing the 5-pocket.  

Essentially, this collection is meant to be viewed as a celebration of art and design in denim and will appeal to those who consider themselves denimheads or denim connoisseurs. They for sure will appreciate the craftsmanship of the product and the heritage aspect. So if you're one of those, these jeans can be purchased at online boutique LN-CC.

If you haven't already, see more pics of the Levi's RED Archive collection after the jump...

....THE JUMP

Levi's Archivist Lynn Downey Took Us On An Historic Journey Through Jeans

 

Last night, Lynn Downey, Levi's Historian and Archivist, held a short seminar in Macy's Herald Square to talk about the evolution of the blue jean. Initially, I was just excited to see the world's oldest pair of jeans with my own eyes as I knew they'd be part of the seminar. I'd seen photos of it before, but being able to look up close at a pair of jeans that would fit perfectly in any of the exhibits in the Smithsonian was a treat I couldn't pass up. However, as Lynn began to speak, I found myself taking notes as if I was back in college as her knowledge of denim is extensive. It's a rare day that I get to speak to someone who knows denim better than me. Just being honest. And in this case, Lynn was practically professorial when speaking about the history of denim and I was riveted, no pun intended.

She explained that Levi's jeans ultimately came to fruition when tailor Jacob Davis asked Levi's Strauss to partner with him in making riveted denim pants for workers who were complaining about the frequent ripping in their work clothes. Imagine such an iconic detail that has lasted for over a century coming from such a simple request. Extraordinary doesn't begin to describe it. I could go on and on with everything I learned in such a short period of time, but instead I'll break it down to a few facts: 

• The oldest pair of jeans date back to 1879 and were found in an old mine by a woman who patched them up and wore them for several years before selling them to the company for $25. These jeans are currently worth $150,000. 
• There was a rivet included on the crotch of the original 501s, but cowboys complained of heat from their campfires, shall we say, making it a tad too uncomfortable. Therefore, after the the removal of rivets during the WWII war effort and their subsequent return after, the crotch rivet was left out. 
• Jeans were originally called "Overalls" because you could wear them over all your clothing. 
• Before there were belt loops, there were suspender buttons and a back cinch.
• The cowboy era of the 1930's was the last time jeans were associated with workwear. 
• Soldier's returning home from WWII adopted a uniform of leather jackets and Levi's jeans and formed motorcycle clubs. This was the first of many decades of jeans being associated with rebellion. 

Click below to see more pictures of jeans straight from the Levi's archives and keep checking back as I'll have more from my experience with the amazing Lynn Downey. 

 

Blue Jeans from the 17th Century to Today

This season, the Centraal Museum in Utrecht, Netherlands brings together 350 years of denim history. Conceptually displayed as an interactive 100-meter long timeline, the exhibit details the rich history of our beloved material.

Early artifacts include classic paintings and old sample books dating back to the 18th century. Modern art photography and haute couture designs by Chanel, Jean Paul Gaultier, Maison Martin Margiela and Yves Saint Laurent elevate connotations regarding fabrics, while archival examples by Levi’s and Lee highlight still-relevant heritage ideals. An exhibition book will soon be available at Tenue de Nîmes.

Denim-of-the-Day: Steve McQueen's Vintage Western

Western shirts get better with age... as do images of Steve McQueen. His look is not only timeless but increasingly relevant as menswear once again embraces masculinity after years of hipsterized or dandy fashion. In addition to the snaps and pointed shoulder yokes, Steve McQueen's washed and frayed shirt also features the telltale crafted mark of crosshatch warp and weft.

Indigo Dyeing Inspiration

Source: Street Etiquette

Denim-of-the-Day: Patchwork Chambray

I love this check-paneled chambray and denim patchwork fabric with exaggerated hand stitching. While its pretty out-there for a shirt, I would love it for women's Spring/Summer 13 shorts.

Source: Fruition Las Vegas

Denim-of-the-Day: Ancestral Balmain-ish Jacket

Check out this archival denim jacket from Las Vegas vintage purveyor Fruition. Double-breasted with princess paneling, the vintage Balmain-ish style of the jacket features delicate feminine rope detailing to juxtapose the rugged construction. We're seeing a lot of regal denim silhouettes on high-end women's runways this season; here's a great look to get the creative juices flowing.

Denim-of-the-Day: Moving Beyond Hawaiian Florals

Eventually, we're going to have to move past the Hawaiian floral shirt trend. Check out this grandmotherly floral on corduroy... same great Magnum P.I. color palette, but an update for cooler weather and fresh layered looks.

KAPITAL CENTURY DENIM

As one of the only denim labels to both weave material and manufacture jeans, Japan's KAPITAL literally and metaphorically owns its entire creative process. With more than 100 years under its belt, this denim industry leader continues to craft unique denim pieces.

The multicultural Kapital Century line combines a Japanese heritage aesthetic based on innovation and individuality with the historic techniques of rugged American blue jeans. Workwear rivets and back self-belts add to the masculine utilitarian appeal of silhouettes, while sashiko warp yarns and a fermented persimmon-based dye process (called kakishibu) hail from Japan's Edo period.

BARBOUR Steve McQueen Collection, FW12

In addition to his iconic 20th Century star status, Steve McQueen was an avid and well-known motorcyclist, racing in the International Six Day Trials for Team USA in 1964. Always sporting BARBOUR, the screen legend cut a mean silhouette, which the outerwear label embraces in its Steve McQueen Collection. The line features the 8oz waxed cotton Baker Jacket, based on the classic A7 International jacket, with an American flag quilted lining and decortive patch. A windcheater, holdall, chambray and check shirts, and graphic tees round out the collection.