Levi Strauss & Co. Historian Tracey Panek explores the exhibition Levi Strauss: A History of American Style, reprising the sold-out talk she presented at the exhibition opening. Panek recounts little-known anecdotes about the objects on view, in addition to new insights and stories unearthed since opening; including, among other stories, an email Panek received from a ninety-year old man with the subject line, “Levi’s saved my family from the Nazis.” Dive in for an inside look at the objects and history behind the Levi Strauss exhibition. This event was made possible thanks to the support of The CJM's Circle of Friends. Learn more about the benefits of Circle of Friends membership here.
Tracey Panek is the historian at Levi Strauss & Co., where she manages historical materials and day-to-day operations of the Levi Strauss & Co. Archives. Panek regularly contributes to Unzipped, the company’s blog, which highlights company history, vintage Levi’s® garments, and behind-the-scenes content. Before her position at Levi Strauss & Co., Panek spent fourteen years as historian and archivist at AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah.
In 1873, at the end of the California Gold Rush, Levi Strauss & Co., named for a Bavarian Jewish dry goods merchant in San Francisco, obtained a U.S. patent with tailor Jacob Davis on the process of putting metal rivets in men’s denim work pants to increase their durability. It was the birth of the blue jean. The CJM original exhibition Levi Strauss: A History of American Style showcases the life of Levi Strauss, the invention of the blue jean, and their iconic place in the history of American style.
“Showing their Levi’s” postcard from the California Rodeo Salinas (July 13–16, 1939), 1939. Levi Strauss & Co. Archives
The CJM's Circle of Friends is a dynamic group of art and culture enthusiasts whose generosity enables The CJM to enrich our community through exhibitions and programs that educate, challenge, and inspire.
Support for Levi Strauss: A History of American Style is generously provided by Maribelle and Stephen Leavitt; Gaia Fund; John Pritzker Family Fund; Lisa and Douglas Goldman Fund; Evelyn & Walter Haas, Jr. Fund; Mimi and Peter Haas Fund; The David Berg Foundation; John & Marcia Goldman Foundation; Suzanne and Elliott Felson; Colleen and Robert D. Haas; Dana Corvin and Harris Weinberg, in honor of Paulette Meyer and David Friedman, and Catherine and James Koshland; Kendra and Tom Kasten, in honor of Robert D. Haas; Michael Righi; Dorothy R. Saxe; David Saxe; Marilyn and Murry Waldman; and Rosanne and Al Levitt.
Lead Corporate Sponsorship is provided by Levi’s®.
Media Sponsorship is provided by the San Francisco Chronicle and KQED. In-kind support is provided by Corduroy Media.
Public Programs at The CJM are made possible thanks to generous support from Grants for the Arts and the Walter & Elise Haas Fund.