Levi's awards $350,000 in grants to improve water use in apparel manufacturing

By

Cassidy Mantor

Published
May 24, 2017

Levi's has announced it will award $350,000 in grants to future fashion industry leaders who have taken part in its first LS&Co. Collaboratory fellowship.

This was the inaugural year of the Collaboratory, which brings together future fashion leaders to work towards solutions for common issues facing the industry. The $350,000 grant funding is designed to expand innovative new processes in apparel supply chain management.

The theme of Levi's Collaboratory for this year has been water and reducing its use in apparel manufacturing. Specific projects that will receive funding include growing production of products that use less water, making wastewater treatment solutions more accessible to small workshops, and expanding a natural indigo dyeing facility.

Paul Dillinger, Vice President and Head of Global Product Innovation, LS&Co said, “We look forward to seeing the Collaboratory fellows’ water impact solutions come to life and inspire a future of empowered sustainable apparel makers.”

With the $350,000 in grant funding, fellows will have the ability to dive deeper into water issues and further their companies' reach.

"To have the support of the entire team at an iconic brand and industry stalwart like LS&Co. makes me believe that we can truly make a difference in the apparel industry,” said Collaboratory fellow Kavita Parmar, She is also the founder and creative director at the IOU Project, a transparent brand which makes madras and denim pieces with reduced water supply.

Another fellow, Kevin McCracken, co-founder of Social Imprints, echoed that sentiment saying, “With access to funding and mentorship from the most innovative team in the apparel industry, we have an opportunity to make a real difference in what we do and how we produce products.”