Lee | Exhibition Commemorating the Brand's 125th Anniversary

Lee | 125th Anniversary Exhibition

Celebrating 125 Years

Announcing the "Lee 125 Archive Exhibition in TOKYO"

Founded in Kansas, USA, as a workwear brand, Lee celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2014. To commemorate this milestone, an exhibition tour, "Lee 125 Archive Exhibition," will visit six cities across Asia and Oceania: Beijing, China; Tokyo, Japan; Manila, Philippines; Bangkok, Thailand; New Delhi, India; and Sydney, Australia. In Tokyo, the exhibition will be held at Laforet Museum in Jingumae from Friday, May 9th to Sunday, May 11th.

Text by Morito IWANAGA (OPENERS)

From Rare Vintage Pieces to the Latest Collaborations

Lee is a unique brand that, while honoring its 125-year history and tradition, consistently carves new paths in denim history as an innovator. The evolution from its founding to the present day tells the story of its frontier spirit.
In 1889, Henry David Lee established "H.D. Lee Company" in Kansas, USA, as a wholesale dealer of food and general goods. Subsequently, the company began manufacturing its own workwear, such as dungarees and overalls, which were initially among its handled products. The bib overalls, jeans, and jackets, which began full-scale production in 1911, gained high acclaim. In 1913, the "Lee Union All," a work garment for auto mechanics combining coveralls and dungarees, was developed. It became the official uniform of the U.S. Army.

#802 (Women’s) Union-Alls

#101LJ Lee Storm Rider Jacket

#101 Cowboy Waist Band Overalls

The brand solidified its status as a staple in Western-style wear, transitioning from workwear, with the release of the iconic cowboy pants, "Lee COWBOY," in the 1920s. In 1944, the series name was changed to "Lee RIDERS," and by then, Lee had become a household name, a leading company in cowboy fashion in both name and reputation.

In the 1950s, centered around the "101" jeans, famously favored by actor James Dean both publicly and privately, Lee began to attract attention as a fashion item among urban outsiders. In the 1960s, with the release of the "Westerner," a precursor to white jeans, Lee played a part in igniting the Ivy League boom.

Lee products were first introduced to Japan in 1976, the year of America's Bicentennial celebration. Since then, various models have been reissued by Japanese companies, and Lee has become an indispensable presence in discussions of casual fashion today.

This exhibition will bring together Lee's precious vintage pieces, archives spanning its history to the present day, and collaboration items not yet publicly revealed. Additionally, to celebrate the 125th anniversary, original缶バッジ (can badges) will be available, and a lottery will offer 125 winners a "Buddy Lee 125 LIMITED MODEL."

Lee 125th Archives EXHIBITION
Dates: Friday, May 9th - Sunday, May 11th
Hours: 11:00 - 17:00 (Last entry 16:30)
Venue: Laforet Museum
6F Laforet Harajuku, 1-11-6 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Lee 125th Archives EXHIBITION Special Website
http://www.lee-japan.jp/125/