Fashion
Sep 24, 2022
by Carolina Sandeman
Levi’s WellThread Expands Plant-based Indigo Use for Fall/Winter 2022
by Carolina Sandeman
Sep 24, 2022

Denim is well known for its impact on the planet. From the excessive water waste during the dyeing process to the methods used to add distressing and fading, the denim sector is definitely a main player when we talk about making fashion more sustainable.

Denim darling Levi’s has been on a continuous journey to improve its sustainability practices and as it continues to work on its sustainability journey, it keeps introducing new innovations into its production processes. WellThread’s main work focus is raw materials that reduce the brand’s environmental impact. That being said, a big focus of Levi’s recent collections has been plant-based dyes and organic cotton. Now, for Fall/Winter 2022 it has increased the use of its quality plant-based natural indigo dye to include its WellThread denim.

In this expansion, it has developed a new custom denim in partnership with Cone Mills. This new product is created with natural plant-based indigo and dyeing methods that use less water and fewer chemicals. This recent launch is the deepest natural indigo shade the brand has ever made.

“Our triumph this season is definitely our natural plant-based indigo dyes,” says Paul Dillinger, Vice President, Head of Global Product Innovation at Levi Strauss, & Co. “They come in rich, inky shades that make for beautiful denim, plus they use less water and fewer chemicals. We continue to work hard to find plant-based indigo solutions that are capable of the reach we need for a brand as big as Levi’s®, and to be capable of standing up to commercial washes. And best of all, with each new WellThread® season we’re able to show how sustainability never has to mean making a concession for comfort, style, and quality.”

Paired with organic cotton and natural plant-based dyes, the WellThread collection is made to be recyclable from the get-go. From the fabric, the back patch and the red tab, to the zipper tape, stitching, embroidery and care labels, everything is made with 100% cotton. Using one single material allows garments to stay out of landfills and give them a new life when their time comes.

These plant-based indigo pieces are part of the Fall/winter 2022 collection and can be shopped at levi.com. There you can also find more information about Levi’s sustainable initiatives.