Global fashion brand and retailer Levi’s has today launched its Wear Longer Project, which has the ambition to empower young people to repair, refresh, and reimagine their clothing so they can increase the longevity of the garments they own.
Launching first in San Francisco but with the ultimate aim to become a global offering, the programme is described as “a community engagement initiative” and will introduce free resources for students in grades 9 through to 12 (typically 14-18-year-olds). Developed in partnership with global education tech organisation Discovery Education and aligned with national K-12 education standards, the course teaches young people skills such as sewing a button, patching a hole, and tailoring a hem.
San Francisco high school students will be the first to access the programme, held initially at Levi’s Eureka Lab in the city. More training and additional workshops have been promised throughout the year, and a special activation has been mooted around this year’s Super Bowl which takes place in San Francisco.
Michelle Gass, president & CEO of Levi’s, said: “We’ve spent more than 170 years designing clothes to be worn and loved for as long as possible.
“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 emphasising the idea of durability, we’re helping spark a culture of creativity, sustainability, and pride in taking care of the things we value.”
Catherine Dunlop, senior vice president of corporate partnerships at Discovery Education, added: “Our partnership with Levi’s reflects the growing demand in schools for curriculum that connects academic learning with real‑world, future‑ready skills.
“Through the Wear Longer Project, students gain hands‑on experience that builds confidence, creativity, and practical life skills while deepening their understanding of complex topics such as supply chain and resource management. This initiative helps prepare students to be thoughtful, capable problem-solvers.”
The curriculum is now available to educators and students nationwide on the free platform, but schools using Discovery Education Experience, a supplemental resource, can integrate Levi’s Wear Longer Project directly into classroom instruction.
Levi’s staff will serve as volunteer ambassadors, bringing hands-on instruction into schools and local communities as required.
Levi’s research in the US shows 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. At the same time, 35% of young people say they would keep their clothes longer if they knew how to fix them.
Read more about Levi’s on Green Retail World
[image credits: Levi’s]
