MEET THE WINNERS OF 2018’S LEVI’S® X ARTS THREAD DESIGN COMPETITION

Selected from more than 350 applications from 75 different design schools worldwide, these three design students have made their way to San Francisco for the summer for one incredible internship.

Da Eun Lee and C’era Wolffe were selected as the winners of this year’s Levi’s® x ARTS THREAD Design Challenge. Keun Il Choi, a finalist, was given an opportunity to work with Dockers®. They each scored a 10-week internship where they will get the opportunity to work with a group of designers led by Jonathan Cheung, Levi’s® Senior Vice President of Design, and take advantage of the LS&Co. Archives. They’ll also spend time at the Eureka Innovation Lab with Bart Sights, Vice President of Technical Innovation.

“One of the best pieces of advice for anyone or any organization is to surround yourself with the best, most diverse talent,” said Levi’s® Senior Vice President of Design. “We’re delighted to welcome C’era, Da Eun and Keun to join us this summer.”

C’era Wolffe
University of Salford

From a very young age, C’era was interested in designing thanks to the front-row seat she had watching her grandmother work as a seamstress. “By the age of 10 I had already sewn through my finger about five times because I was so curious of how a sewing machine worked,” she recalled.

She describes herself as an artist who gives her very best to reach her full potential on each project or task given. “One of my favourite quotes is ‘Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.’ I am excited for where this new journey will take me both in my career and personal life.”

Q: How would you describe your design style?

A: I would describe my design style as eclectic; I enjoy the use of graphics, prints and colour. Usually I start with an idea and try to research as much as possible into that topic. For example, if my idea is something crazy like hair clips, I would then research into hair clips. Where did they originate from? What was the first purpose for them? How are they used now? And I would try to merge these ideas and eventually design from the silhouettes, textures, and colours found through my research.

Q: What or who inspires you in your work?

A: I usually find myself being inspired by communities, cultures or people. I believe anything can be inspiration if you’re open to it. I like to include a feeling or story behind my work. I believe that’s what keeps people and consumers intrigued. Anyone can make a jacket but it’s the message or story behind it that makes the design process enjoyable and diverse each time.

Q: What are you looking forward to most during your time with Levi’s®?

A: I am looking forward to getting more work experience with Levi’s® and being able to gain knowledge in fields that I have never studied, such as advertising, which is a big component of the Levi’s® brand. Their advertisements grab you while also being diverse and inclusive. I’m also excited to be able to have one-on-one talks with the staff and mentors at Levi’s® about their journeys and hope to return to my last year of university gaining extensive knowledge and contacts.