When it comes to denim, LS&Co. is always thinking about what’s next and redefining the limits of what’s possible. This could mean anything from testing new fabrics, fits or chemistry to finding new ways to integrate technology into our clothing.
Designers play an integral role in constantly pushing the boundaries, and at LS&Co. we’re lucky to be home to some of the industry’s best and brightest design talent. To continue innovating in the future, we must also build a bridge to the young minds that will lead the industry in the future.
One way we’re nurturing these connections and elevating emerging designers is through the Denim 2020 — Levi’s® x ARTS THREAD Design Challenge. The challenge launched this week with ARTS THREAD, the world’s only creative graduate website, which provides online portfolio hosting to more than 40,000 design students from over 300 design schools.
“Design is about change. That’s what designers do. They change the things around them, the actual physical objects. It’s what separates a designer from a buyer. And design can be reactive to change, or proactive in initiating change. This competition is about the latter,” said Jonathan Cheung, Levi’s senior vice president of design.
The challenge invites fashion design students to submit an entry showing a vision for what denim will look like in 2020. The winning students will receive a paid 10-week design internship at LS&Co.’s San Francisco headquarters in the summer of 2016.
“There’s the Wayne Gretzky quote, that goes, ‘skate to where the puck is going, not where it has been.’ The Denim 2020 Design Challenge is not just about skating to where the puck is going, but creating a new puck and smacking it into the future. This competition is about the future, and getting the best young design talent on our radar. And, as the saying goes, the best way to predict the future is to create it. And this is about who creates what. Levi’s has always been a people company. It’s the people who make all the difference. We’re looking forward to working with the best young talent out there,” Jonathan said.
The Denim 2020 Design Challenge is open to anyone over 18 who is currently in their last year or with one year remaining in their studies or who graduated in summer 2015 from a fashion design program at an accredited college or university. Design submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by an expert panel from LS&Co. to establish four finalists.
Entries are now open through January 31, 2016 and can be submitted at http://www.artsthread.com/competitions/denim2020-levisxartsthreaddesignchallenge/.
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