ONE OF A KIND. HANDMADE USING RECYCLED LEVI’S® JEANS.
LEVI’S® X COOP PORTO ALEGRE
Introducing a very special collection of unique, one-of-a-kind accessories, developed in partnership with the Cooperative Porto Alegre; a nonprofit organisation providing job training for vulnerable people including refugees and asylum seekers. The collection includes tote bags, pouches and pencil cases, all handmade from recycled and repurposed Levi's® denim. The Porto Alegre tailoring and dressmaking workshop was founded by esteemed fashion designer Rita Cassetta in 2017. The workshop provides pre-professional training for refugees and asylum seekers, many of whom have worked as tailors and dressmakers in their countries of origin, to help them integrate within Italian society.
Available only at selected stores: Levi's® Store Chiado, Levi's® Store Restauradores, Levi.pt and App 247.
“The partnership between Levi’s® and the Cooperative Porto Alegre is about “second life”. Second life for the Levi’s fabric, and for the people from all over the world that come and work at the tailor shop. Together, we transform the denim provided by Levi’s® into brand new and unique items. All the makers behind those products are so proud to contribute to this collaboration, which they are the protagonists of. Those items tell their stories. The story of their past and future lives.” - RITA CASSETTA
MEET
THE MAKERS
Founded in 2001 by a group of social workers and volunteers, Porto Alegre is a social cooperative based in Rovigo, Italy, which works to support the most vulnerable in society, including the homeless, people with health issues, migrants, asylum seekers and refugees. Meet the team behind the collection and learn more about their stories.
NASEER AHMAD – PAKISTAN
Tailor, 42 years old, Pakistani, playful and skillful. When I am here, it is a continuous party.
MOUSSA CAMARA - SENEGAL
Tailor, 21 years old, Senegalese, carefree and studious. When I am here, there’s always good music.
JEANETTE NZIGUI – CAMEROON
Tailor, 26 years old, Cameroonian, solar and dynamic. When I am here, there’s always an answer!
SAMASSI BANGALY - IVORY COAST
Tailor, 26 years old, Ivorian, sporty and energetic. When I am here, time is relative.
RASHIDA MUNIR – PAKISTAN
Tailor, 40 years old, Pakistani, caring mother and excellent cook. When I'm here, the weather is always sweet!
EMMA MARINA MANTOVANI – ITALIA
51 years old, Italian, precise and simple. When I'm here, you don't need the meter, I see the millimeter!
RITA CASSETTA - ITALIA
Designer, 31 years old, Italian, curious and organized. When I am here, the puzzle is complete.
NASEER AHMAD – PAKISTAN
Tailor, 42 years old, Pakistani, playful and skillful. When I am here, it is a continuous party.
MOUSSA CAMARA - SENEGAL
Tailor, 21 years old, Senegalese, carefree and studious. When I am here, there’s always good music.
JEANETTE NZIGUI – CAMEROON
Tailor, 26 years old, Cameroonian, solar and dynamic. When I am here, there’s always an answer!
SAMASSI BANGALY - IVORY COAST
Tailor, 26 years old, Ivorian, sporty and energetic. When I am here, time is relative.
RASHIDA MUNIR – PAKISTAN
Tailor, 40 years old, Pakistani, caring mother and excellent cook. When I'm here, the weather is always sweet!
EMMA MARINA MANTOVANI – ITALIA
51 years old, Italian, precise and simple. When I'm here, you don't need the meter, I see the millimeter!
RITA CASSETTA - ITALIA
Designer, 31 years old, Italian, curious and organized. When I am here, the puzzle is complete.
ABOUT LEVI’S® X COOP PORTO ALEGRE
The partnership is part of a programme, focused largely in Europe, that has been established by LS&Co. over the last three years to support organisations that are providing critical services and assistance to refugees at a number of different stages—from displacement and disruption, to resettlement and longer-term community integration through skills training, job creation and economic stability.
ABOUT LEVI’S® X COOP PORTO ALEGRE
The partnership is part of a programme, focused largely in Europe, that has been established by LS&Co. over the last three years to support organisations that are providing critical services and assistance to refugees at a number of different stages—from displacement and disruption, to resettlement and longer-term community integration through skills training, job creation and economic stability.
