Next month, online menswear retailer Mr Porter will reveal the fruits of his collaboration with denim label Levi’s with the release of a limited-edition three-piece collection of 50s CT jeans. With the input of Mr Porter’s denim buyer Sam Kershaw, the updated version of the label’s signature ‘Customised and Tapered’ jeans are crafted from Cone Mills’ White Oak selvedge denim and are handmade at its innovation label in San Francisco. We chat with Mr Kershaw about the special development.

Why work with Levi’s? What makes this collaboration a good fit for MR PORTER?
Levi’s is the oldest denim brand in the world it is the master of its craft. They are also market leaders and super talented innovators in design and product development. Couple that with Mr Porter’s access to a global market and you have the makings of a great team.

How did the project come about?
We already stock the ‘Made and Crafted’ and ‘Vintage’ lines and this project naturally grew out of our existing relationship with the brand. We were keen to stock a classic ‘Red Tab’ style – but we wanted to do something special, to be able to offer the Mr Porter customer a jean that they couldn’t get anywhere else. At the same time, Levi’s were working on a bespoke version of their new 501CT (‘Customised & Tapered’) jeans and the conversation naturally progressed from there.

How did the design process work? Did Mr Porter have a lot of input from a creative standpoint?
The most exciting part of this project for us is that we are the first brand partner to ever have design input in to a 501 style. It’s such an iconic piece, so understandably the Levi’s team hold it very dear. They’re incredibly careful and thoughtful about any changes that they make to the product. To get the ball rolling they invited me over to their famous ‘Eureka Innovation Lab’ in San Francisco, to look at the 501CT styles they had created and work with them on anything that needed to be tweaked slightly. Jonathan and I had already discussed what we had in mind with regards to fit and colour ways and as it turned out we were completely on the same wavelength when it came to how we thought they should look, feel and fit.

What sets this collaboration apart from other capsules Mr Porter has launched?
What is so unique about these items is that they are true collector’s items. They are made from selvedge cone mills white oak denim - essentially the finest denim in the world and each pair has been hand-made. To be able to get hold of a jean like this, at this level of craftsmanship and at an accessible price is pretty much unheard of.

Do you wear Levi’s?
I do, I have numerous pairs. Everyone should own a pair of Levi’s. I’m lucky enough to own a custom patchwork pair of 501s, they were made for me when I visited the Levi’s team and they are my pride and joy.