• Home
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Levi's acquires iconic Einstein leather jacket

Levi's acquires iconic Einstein leather jacket

By Sara Ehlers

loading...

Scroll down to read more

Fashion

Although Levi Strauss & Co. is commonly known for its creation of American blue jean, the company’s history spans further than that. Additionally, Levi’s was responsible for an iconic staple in one of the world’s greatest geniuses: Albert Einstein.

Although Einstein was known more for his academia instead of fashion, he was known for wearing a brown leather jacket. Levi’s actually had made the jacket, entitled the ‘Cossack.’ Einstein was even photographed by Lotte Jacobi in 1938 wearing the jacket. He also appeared in Time Magazine wearing the brown leather piece. In 1999, he was named Person of the Century by Time. In that same issue, Levi’s 501 jeans were also named “fashion item of the 20th century.” Additionally to that, Einstein has been photographed in the jacket many times and the piece of outerwear has become somewhat legendary in the fashion world.

Levi Strauss & Co. acquires Einstein's jacket for 146,744 dollars

The jacket was descended directly in Einstein’s family down to its present owner. Designed and manufactured by Levi’s, the iconic piece was worn by Einstein in his years as a U.S. citizen near the mid 1930’s. Recently, Levi’s made the winning bid for the Cossack jacket, which was auctioned off at Christie’s in London. Levi’s acquired the jacket for a total of 146,744 dollars. “The response to Albert Einstein’s leather ‘Cossack’ jacket by Levi Strauss & Co. in [Christie’s] has been exciting, generating international interest,” Thomas Venning, head of books and manuscripts in London said in a statement. “We are pleased that [Levi’s] has acquired this iconic item of clothing for their [archives],” he said.

Levi’s acquisition of the jacket makes for a full circle for the Cossack piece. As Levi’s reflects classic American style and effortless, cool fashion; the jacket is a piece of the brand’s history. Since its establishment as a company in 1873, Levi’s has gained worldwide recognition for its jeans. Although less known for its outerwear, Einstein’s jacket brings Levi’s roots in the U.S. even deeper than before. Currently, Levi’s has jeanswears and accessories available in over 110 countries and through its online website. Levi’s parent company Levi Strauss & Co. has become one of the largest apparel companies in jeanswear. In total, the company has over 2,800 operating retail stores.

Photo: Courtesy of Levi Strauss & Co via Business Wire

levi Strauss and co
Levis