The History of 'Lee101', Loved by American Stars Like James Dean and Elvis Presley
'Lee', a denim brand with a long history. Upon tracing its history, we find ourselves at the lot number '101'. This time, we spoke to Hidekazu Hosokawa, creative director at Edwin Co., Ltd., about Lee's beginnings.
"When founder H.D. Lee (Henry David Lee) started his business in 1889, he ran a manufacturer and wholesale store for canned goods and daily necessities.
"Products carrying the Lee brand mark included canned goods and toilet paper. The company also dealt with metal goods, such as pipes and saws, and operated cold storage warehouses. Records exist of the company engaging in these various businesses at the time.
"Although it originally dealt with work clothes and clothing as one of its various daily necessities, the rapid growth of the railway network and the increasing demand for workwear due to the economic growth in the United States in the late 1800s led them to manufacture their own workwear and enter the workwear market."
The Roots of Lee Brand's Growth from Railroad Workers' Workwear
We asked about the items that became Lee's icons at the time when it started as a workwear brand.This article is for members only.
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