Levi Strauss is granting more than $350,000 to the inaugural class of LS 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.
Following the collaboratory workshop weekend held at Levi Strauss Eureka Innovation, fellows submitted project proposals for reducing water usage or improving water quality with the opportunity to receive funding from Levi Strauss. 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.
Kevin McCracken, co-founder of Social Imprints mentioned that working with the company has changed and looks forward in educating and challenging the team to think in a more holistic way about our impact. With access to funding and mentorship from the most innovative team in the apparel industry, the company has an opportunity to make a real difference in what they do and produce products.
Kavita Parmar, founder and creative director at the IOU Project further added that to have the support of the entire team at an iconic brand and industry stalwart like Levi Strauss believe that the company can truly make a difference in the apparel industry.
This year's collaboratory fellows had the unique opportunity to work through ideas and challenges with Levi Strauss. Leaders and employee mentors along with sustainability and apparel industry experts as they developed concrete, tangible plans for reducing their organization's water footprint.
The company is getting 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,says Paul Dillinger, vice president and head of global product innovation, Levi Strauss
