A lot of this months measuring and photo shoots involved STEEL JEANS Inc. There is a story behind all my products and I intend to relive my memories as best as I can, all for the sake of preserving memories. I'm sure that in Los Angeles there are MANY untold stories and I've recently been inspired to share a bit of my memories...STEEL JEANS Inc. is just one of many stories to tell...
STEEL JEANS Inc. was a cutting edge denim company launched in the 80's and based in the heart of Los Angeles. This company was owned and operated by the Lee Family. The Lee's became my mentors in learning the corporate side of the Apparel Industry, and as they took me under their wing, they generously shared their knowledge. Since then I have based my career on the important lessons they taught me. It was because of these "Garmentos" from my past, that I spent my lifetime emulating and always cherishing every memory and lesson learned. Watching this finely honed company operate was the best lesson ever. Learning as you go, and from an Old School class of people who were happy to share their knowledge with the young daughter of another "Garmento". Vicki and Thai Lee, were introduced to me by my father, who met Vicki and Thai during the 70's as they were both working for the iconic Chemin De Fer Jeans company. It was there that a friendship was formed that went beyond work, and lifetime bonds were made. It was Vicki & Thai's 20 years of experience as the owners of a prominent Los Angeles sewing contractor which was the knowledge and foundation for the birth of STEEL JEANS Inc.
STEEL JEANS Inc. was created and run by their children Danny and Vivian Lee. These two siblings and the younger generation of the Lee Family carried the "Garmento" torch and ran with it, creating their own eras version of a fashion denim empire.
STEEL JEANS Inc. was one of the early innovators in Denim production during the 90's. Their goal was to create the highest quality denim product, at an affordable price. They were a fully operational company which unlike many Apparel companies, kept their product domestic to assure and maintain quality and delivery. The younger generation of Lee's were focused on taking the manufacturing game to the next level of technology, breaking ground by testing and launching the Gerber computerized technology. Automated cutting and sewing. They also took laundering and distribution to a whole new level.
They truly were a manufacturing Vanguard of their time.
During the 90's STEEL JEANS Inc's commercial advertisement made its TV Debut on MTV and they co-sponsored one of the first MTV's Spring Break series. They also broke ground when they were the first Apparel Manufacturer to use a new outdoor advertising medium called the Photo Mural Bus, which featured Multi-covered ads on virtually all MTA Bus side exteriors including the windows, but allowed the passengers unobstructed views through the use of an exciting new patented technique called window graphics. Bus routes included Wilshire Boulevard through Beverly Hills, Westwood, West Los Angeles, Brentwood and Santa Monica. Quite the advertising breakthrough at the time, it was seen everywhere in the Los Angeles area.
STEEL JEANS Inc. made many cutting edge breakthroughs with Denim Washes. Creating several design trends that caught on like wildfire with the public. I could go on and on about the people and the lifetime bonds that were made with this group. We grew together with the industry changes, we were together
during the LA Riots, and during this time we all quickly learned that the Lees were not just the Bosses, they cared for their employees and in turn their employees cared for them. Learning from these icons made me realize that when the boss cares, the employees care. This was a part of the recipe that made the team work together and all thrived together with their successes. This is something that I sadly learned from my later years within Corporate giants, is a torch that has not been carried on. Maybe if we could learn from these Icons of a time gone past, we can grow from the old ways. It doesn't take much to appreciate the little guys, but when you do big things can happen. So in keeping with the traditions learned from the Lee's, I will always appreciate the Little guys. Hey you never know when the little guy may become someone Big.
STEEL JEANS INC. is making a comeback...
Much Thanks to the Lee Family
Tell me what happened to the brand please! 315-382-3469
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