Funding part of global fellowship program to accelerate innovation in sustainable apparel
SAN FRANCISCO, 2017-May-25 — /EPR Retail News/ — Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&Co.) today (May 24, 2017) announced it is granting more than $350,000 to the inaugural class of LS&Co. Collaboratory fellows who are working to create a more sustainable apparel industry. The funding will go towards new approaches and innovations in the apparel supply chain. Projects include expanding a natural indigo dyeing facility, creating products that are less water-intensive and making wastewater treatment solutions more accessible to small artisan workshops.
The Collaboratory is an annual fellowship program for entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs who see design and sustainability as inextricably linked and are working to create a more sustainable apparel industry. Each year the program tackles different social and environmental sustainability challenges facing the industry, with this year’s inaugural class focused on an area that is critically important to the future of the apparel industry and the planet: water.
Following the Collaboratory workshop weekend held at LS&Co.’s Eureka Innovation Lab, fellows submitted project proposals for reducing water usage or improving water quality with the opportunity to receive funding from LS&Co. to implement their solutions. The ideas selected represent some of the boldest, leading-edge ideas from leaders who represent the future of the apparel industry.
“Working with LS&Co. changed how we look at innovation by educating and challenging our team to think in a more holistic way about our impact,” said Kevin McCracken, co-founder of Social Imprints and a Collaboratory fellow. “With access to funding and mentorship from the most innovative team in the apparel industry, we have an opportunity to make a real difference in what we do and how we produce products.”
“To have the support of the entire team at an iconic brand and industry stalwart like LS&Co. makes me believe that we can truly make a difference in the apparel industry,” added Kavita Parmar, founder and creative director at the IOU Project and another Collaboratory fellow. “Water is the biggest challenge we face globally in the coming decades and our industry is one of the biggest users. To work together and take a shot at changing the course of our future is exciting and fills me with optimism.”
This year’s Collaboratory fellows had the unique opportunity to work through ideas and challenges with LS&Co. leaders and employee mentors along with sustainability and apparel industry experts as they developed concrete, tangible plans for reducing their organization’s water footprint.
“We were honored to bring together the next generation of global leaders to share ideas, aspirations and innovations for achieving a common goal of accelerating the sustainability of the apparel industry,” said Paul Dillinger, vice president and head of global product innovation, LS&Co. “We look forward to seeing the Collaboratory fellows’ water impact solutions come to life and inspire a future of empowered sustainable apparel makers.”
To learn more about all the fellows and see a full list of their projects, visit http://levistrausscollaboratory.com/.
About Levi Strauss & Co.
Levi Strauss & Co. is one of the world’s largest brand-name apparel companies and a global leader in jeanswear. The company designs and markets jeans, casual wear and related accessories for men, women and children under the Levi’s®, Dockers®, Signature by Levi Strauss & Co.™, and Denizen® brands. Its products are sold in more than 110 countries worldwide through a combination of chain retailers, department stores, online sites, and a global footprint of approximately 2,900 retail stores and shop-in-shops. Levi Strauss & Co.’s reported fiscal 2016 net revenues were $4.6 billion. For more information, go to http://levistrauss.com.
Contact:
Andrea Hicklin
Levi Strauss & Co.
(415) 501-7777
newsmediarequests@levi.com
Source: Levi Strauss & Co.