The first model to be given the "501®" lot number was a reissue of the 1890 model.
We wear denim pants everyday without thinking about it. The Levi's® 501® is a timeless standard that is loved by many. Although it is now a common fashion item, the history of the 501® began when Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis patented a method of reinforcing pocket openings with rivets. This was in May 1873, exactly 150 years ago.
This season's Levi's Vintage Clothing® collection focuses on the true innovation behind the birth of the 501®, recreating the workwear of that era by thoroughly researching items that miners, ranchers, and laborers would have worn 150 years ago.
1922 was the year the first "501®" was equipped with belt loops. Shortly after World War I, it became common for men to wear trousers with belts. lvc 1922 501® jeans (now discontinued)
The most noteworthy feature of this season's collection is the limited-edition countdown lineup that traces the archives of the "501®" back to its birth, starting with 1922, then 1901, 1890, and ending with 1873, the date of the "501®"'s birth, The reissue collection is counted down with handwritten numbering and will be released in sequence. So let's take a look at the three historical pieces that will be released in the coming months.
lvc 1901 501® jeans
LVC 1901 501® JEANS ¥81,400 / Waist W30, W32, W34, W36 ( Length L34 Common )
This is a reissue of a model released in 1901, and the "501®" became a five-pocket jean for the first time in that year.
This reissue model is made of 9 oz. corn mills white oak selvedge denim before the transition to 10 oz. denim. It features two back pockets with exposed rivets, a center back cinch, suspender buttons, a two-hose leather patch, crotch rivets, and a single-stitch archway on the back pocket.
lvc 1890 501® jeans
LVC 1890 501® JEANS ¥81,400 / Waist W30, W32, W34, W36 ( Length L34 Common )
The next release will be a reissue of the 1890 model, a pivotal year for the "501®". It was in this year that Levi Strauss & Co. gave the popular denim waist overalls the "501®" lot number. This was also the year that the patent for garments with copper rivets expired, and in order to differentiate itself from new competitors, "Levi's®" began printing information about the quality of its jeans on the inner pockets.
This reissue model is made of 9 oz. Cone Mills White Oak 150 Plain selvedge denim. Exposed riveted back pockets, center back cinch, suspender buttons, replica of the first leather Two Horse back patch, suspender buttons, crotch rivets, single stitch archuettes on back pockets, and 100% cotton printed pocket bags, All original details are reproduced.
LVC 1873 XX WAIST OVERALL
LVC 1873 XX WAIST OVERALL ¥99,000 / Waist W32, W34, W36 ( Length L34 Common )
And here is the reissued model from 1873. This was the year Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis received the "riveted waist overalls with patent number 139,121," which would later be named the "501®. Although there are no definitive examples left in the Levi's® archives, after much research and study, the company painstakingly recreated a model that was believed to be from that time period.
Like the original, the reissue is a high-waisted, wide-leg fit denim, featuring back pockets without archway stitching, a center back cinch without rivets, and watch pockets on the waistband.
In addition, the denim faithfully recreates the denim that started its history, with period details such as crotch gussets, no-brand rivets and sewn-on buttons, all-denim pockets, and exposed selvedges on the waistband.
The 1901 reissue model will go on sale on March 22 (Wed.). However, those who register for the Levi's® Red Tab™ email magazine by 23:00 on March 20 (Mon.) will receive a special offer.
You will receive an email invitation. General sales will begin on Thursday, March 23. Following in order from there, the 1890 reissue model will be released in April, followed by the 1873 reissue model in May.
Finally, I leave you with the words of Paul O'Neill, design director of Levi's®.
The 501® is an icon because it has always remained true to itself. It never tried to capture fashion or change with the trends. Instead, it waited for people to find it and bring it into their world. Over the years, it has been incorporated into almost every subculture. It's always been the ultimate blank canvas to create your own jeans, whether it's mods cropping them small, punks bleaching them and tapering them, or hippies inserting panels at the hem to create a flare."--Paul O 'Neill, Design Director Levi's Collections at Levi Strauss & Co.
Who could have predicted in 1873 that their innovative ideas would later expand the possibilities of fashion? Why don't you come and see why they have been a staple of the fashion world for 150 years by actually picking up a pair?
Text_Yuichiro Tsuji
Levi Strauss Japan
501® 150th Anniversary Limited Edition Information | Levis® Official Online Store
