Levi’s launches program to teach Gen Z clothing repair, customization skills
Gen Z might lead the thrifting movement, but when it comes to repairing clothes, many are in the dark.
Levi Strauss & Co. wants to help young people take fashion into their own hands. The denim giant has launched a new project, called Levi’s Wear Longer Project, designed to equip younger consumers with the skills to repair, refresh and reimagine their clothes — so the items look better and last longer. The program follows a new survey by Levi’s, which revealed that 41% of Gen Z report having no basic repair knowledge, such as fixing a tear or sewing a button, which is nearly double the rate of older generations.
The survey also found that 35% of young people say they would keep their clothes longer if they knew how to fix them. This translates into a meaningful opportunity to reduce clothing waste, noted Levi's, as the average American throws away 81.5 pounds of clothing each year, leading to more than 2,100 pounds of textile waste entering U.S. landfills every second.
The Levi’s program features free resources primarily aimed at students in grades 9 through 12. Developed in partnership with global edtech leader Discovery Education and aligned with national K-12 education standards, the program teaches young people hands-on skills such as how to repair and customize their clothes, from sewing a button to patching a hole or tailoring a hem.
As the Wear Longer Project grows, Levi’s plans to scale its curriculum through community-based partners and select retail initiatives, creating more entry points for young people and employees to engage in repair education.
The curriculum is now available to educators and students nationwide on the free platform. Levi’s employees will also serve as volunteer ambassadors, bringing hands-on instruction into schools and local communities.
“At Levi Strauss & Co., we’ve spent more than 170 years designing clothes to be worn and loved for as long as possible,” said Levi's president and CEO Michelle Gass..”The Levi’s Wear Longer Project builds on that legacy by giving young people the confidence and tools to extend the life of what they already own, “By building up repair skills within the next generation and emphasizing the idea of durability, we’re helping spark a culture of creativity, sustainability, and pride in taking care of the things we value.”
Launching first in Levi’s hometown of San Francisco before expanding globally, the project will educate local youth through regular opportunities to build core repair skills. The program will begin with a Wear Longer Project workshop for San Francisco high school students. Additional trainings and workshops will continue throughout the year, including activations during Super Bowl weekend in San Francisco.
