The World's Oldest Levi's Arrive in Japan for the First Time | Levi's®

Levi's®

The World's Oldest Jeans Arrive in Japan for the First Time!

Levi Strauss & Co., a brand that can be called the king of jeans, will hold "OVERALLS -The Origin-" to exhibit the oldest jeans, "XX c.1879," at the Levi's® Store Shibuya from October 13th.

Text by OPENERSPhotograph by Ichigo SUGAWARA

The Ultimate Vintage

The "XX c.1879," making its Japan debut, is the most precious vintage item in Levi's®' San Francisco headquarters archive. The exhibition will also feature "NEVADA 1880s," discovered in a coal mine in 1990, and "BARNYARD c.1890 501®XX," which was the first to use the lot number 501.

Jeans,Levi's,XX c.1879,OVERALLS -The Origin-,Levi's2

Left: "NEVADA 1880s", Right: "BARNYARD c.1890 501XX"

The world's oldest "XX c.1879" is a pair of jeans manufactured around 1879. The XX is a prototype of the 501®, but with different details, such as only one back pocket and the presence of suspenders. The leather patch does not yet feature the familiar "Two Horse Mark" icon. It remains unknown where it was discovered or who its owner was; Levi's acquired it in 2003 from a vintage clothing dealer, and it remains with the company today. It is astonishing to learn that it is currently valued at $150,000.

These sturdy jeans, imbued with history and loved by laborers, are a timeless fashion staple cherished by all. The value of these vintage jeans on display is something that fans and non-fans alike should take the time to appreciate.

OVERALLS -The Origin-
Levi's Store Shibuya, 17-2 Udagawa-cho, Shibuya-ku
"XX c.1879" | October 13th - 16th (Oct 13th-14th: 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM, Oct 15th-16th: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
"NEVADA 1880s" | October 13th - 16th (11:00 AM - 9:00 PM)
"BARNYARD c.1890 501XX" | October 13th - 23rd (11:00 AM - 9:00 PM)
*Viewing hours are limited for security reasons.

Levi Strauss Japan 0120-099-501
http://levi.jp/origin/