iPod compatible jeans to be launched for the 'wired' generation by Levi
12 Jan 2006
Nigel Wright
Levi Strauss announced Wednesday that it is launching jeans compatible with the iPod music player. The jeans will incorporate special pockets for the iPod user including one for a joystick remote control, one each for a docking cradle and attached retractable headphones.Levi Strauss announced Wednesday that it is launching jeans compatible with the iPod music player. The jeans will incorporate special pockets for the iPod user including one for a joystick remote control, one each for a docking cradle and attached retractable headphones.
The jeans won't be cheap, costing about $200 and would be available in stores worldwide by autumn. Known as RedWire DLX, they hope to piggyback on the successful sales of portable music player of Apple.
Levi has annual revenues of up to $4 billion, most of which come from established brands like Dockers, Red Tab, 501 and so forth. The company is hoping that the jeans targeted at the 'wired' generation will catch the imagination of young and not so young consumers as the digital music age begins to really catch on and overtake traditional music sales on cd or similar formats.
Levi, which has been struggling since the year 2001, has been fighting in the jeans market space with Tommy Hilfiger, VF and ex-partner Gap. In the nine months ending August 2005, Levi sales fell by 0.4 percent in the North American market, while its sales registered a two percent decline in Europe.
However, Asia-Pacific sales increased by 17.4 percent. But, this market does not earn Levi sizeable revenues so as to impact its bottom-line.
Alexis Gold, a research analyst, does not feel that iPod jeans will considerably impact sales of Levi overall.
Ms. Gold adds: “You've seen substantial growth in Asia. Europe has gone through some major management changes—I don't think we'll start to see improvement in Europe until 4Q 2006. I think this year is where you'll see stabilization in the U.S.”
She, however, feels that this is an opportune time for Levi to seek out niche customers.
Amy Jasmer, a spokesperson for the San-Francisco Jeans maker, answering an expected question as to how the jeans should be washed, said: "First you would need to remove your iPod and headphones. And the technology itself is washable."
Source: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/4977.html
The Original Denim Brand Kicks Off the Next Revolution in Digital Music Storage; The Levi's(R) Brand Launches First iPod Compatible Jeans Worldwide
January 10, 2006
The Levi's(R) brand, the denim authority, is launching a wearable technology revolution with the introduction of new Levi's(R) RedWire(TM) DLX Jeans, available worldwide in fall 2006. Designed for both men and women, the jeans seamlessly integrate iPod plug and play technology giving music enthusiasts the most innovative and fashionable way to enjoy music on the go. The jean is designed to be compatible with most iPod systems and features include a special joystick incorporated into the jeans' watch pocket to enable easy operation of the iPod.
"The Levi's(R) RedWire(TM) DLX Jean is the latest extension of the Levi's(R) brand leadership position by merging fashion and technology that provides consumers with the most innovative way to enhance their portable, digital music lifestyle," said Robert Hanson, Levi's(R) U.S. brand president. "In designing the jeans we considered both function and fashion -- the result is a uniquely functional, yet stylish, great fitting jean."
Design features include:
-- Easy Pocket Storage -- An iPod docking cradle is built into the jeans and is "invisibly" housed within a side pocket. The Levi's(R) design team took special care to ensure the iPod unit remains neatly and securely stored in the jean, while the iPod "bump" in the pocket is virtually eliminated. The cradle is equipped with sophisticated technology housed in a red conductive ribbon that allows users to quickly and easily remove their iPod from the pocket to view its screen while staying connected. The jean is machine washable once the iPod is removed.
-- "Hip" Controls -- A special joystick remote control is externally designed into the jeans' watch pocket to enable operation of the iPod. Four-way controls allow the wearer to easily play/pause, track forward, track back and adjust the volume control without ever removing the iPod from the pocket.
-- Handy Wire Retractor -- A handy retractable headphone unit has been built directly into the jean to help prevent tangles and efficiently manage the iPod earphone wires.
The new Levi's(R) RedWire(TM) DLX jeans have been developed to be practical and leading-edge in their aesthetic. A crisp white leather patch and joystick, bluffed back pockets with hidden stitching, and clean minimalist buttons and rivets allude to the iPod's famously pure design. Special care has been taken to marry the physical design with a great-fitting jean.
About The Levi's(R) Brand
Invented in 1873 by Levi Strauss, Levi's(R) Jeans are the original, authentic jeans. The Levi's(R) brand offers the widest range of great fitting jeans on the market and are the most widely recognized and often imitated products in the history of apparel. Levi's(R) Jeans have captured the attention, imagination and loyalty of generations of diverse individuals in more than 100 countries around the world and continue to do so today through more than 150 years of jeanswear innovation. For more information about the Levi's(R) brand, products and Levi's(R) stores, visit www.levi.com.
Source: http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20060110005500&newsLang=en
Levi Strauss Designs iPod Jeans
Jeans-maker Levi Strauss has designed a pair of denim trousers with an integrated iPod remote control.
The jeans also provide an iPod dock and retractable earphones.
The hardware tucks into the trouser's special side pocket - neatly side-stepping those bottom-broken back-pocket iPod Nano blues.
The controller is located in the watch pocket, itself tucked into the right front pocket - which is surely going to lead to male users getting some very odd looks while they innocently switch from Whitesnake to Johnny and the Hot Rods.
A more sensible arrangement, perhaps, is ProductM's newly announced TuneBuckle iPod Nano belt.
As the company's name suggests, the iPod clips securely onto the belt's specially designed "high-grade aluminium" buckle holster, ready for easy access. The strap is made of leather and available in black or white.
Levi's hasn't revealed what it will charge for its iPod pants, but it confirmed that the strides are due to go on sale in the autumn under the RedWire DLX brand.
TuneBuckle will cost $49.95 when it ships in the US. ProductM didn't say when TuneBuckle will ship.
Source: http://www.dexigner.com/fashion/news-g6588.html
Levi's to launch iPod jeans
13/01/2006
Is that a joystick in your pocket or are you happy to see me?
Actually, it’s the new jeans announced by Levi's -- the new line of RedWire DLX Jeans -- that will available worldwide in the fall 2006 featuring a built-in iPod docking cradle, joystick and retractable headphones, according to MacWorld.
Designed for both men and women, the jeans are designed to be compatible with most iPod systems. A special joystick is built into the jeans’ watch pocket, with four-way controls to allow the wearer to play, pause, track forward, track back and adjust the volume control without ever removing the iPod from the pocket.
An iPod docking cradle is housed within a side pocket. Levi’s designed the pocket so that the iPod bulge is “virtually eliminated.” The cradle has a red conductive ribbon that allows users to remove their iPod from the pocket to view its screen while staying connected. The jeans are machine washable once the iPod is removed.
A white leather patch and joystick, bluffed back pockets with hidden stitching, and minimalist buttons and rivets allude to the iPod’s famously pure design.
Source: http://www.financialmirror.com/more_news.php?id=2949&type=st
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