Every May, we celebrate the anniversary of Levi’s® first-ever blue jeans. But this May is something special. This May, the most iconic denim in the world turns 150 years old. It’s our 501® Sesquicentennial (dare you to say that one time fast). Now that’s cause to party.

Levi’s® 501® Jeans changed everything. Created 149 years ago, this legendary fit has gone from utilitarian uniform to true icon status. To celebrate the legacy of epic denim, this season we teamed up with five new visionaries who truly embody the spirit of the 501® Jeans, paying homage to the pair that started it all.

Phillip Leyesa has a thing for customization and vintage vibes. It’s something we share in common with the Brooklyn-based designer, who goes by the handle @Philllllthy on the ’Gram. That’s why we teamed up with the prolific creative who’s best known for his intricate-yet-edgy 1 of 1 patchwork designs and upleveling customization into a much-coveted art form. Undeniably wearable and unquestionably unique, each of his bespoke creations evokes a story that’s equal parts nostalgic and future-forward. To celebrate the pair that started it all, we gave @Philllllthy the 501® Original to use as his blank canvas. The result? An artfully destroyed pair that looks lived-in to perfection. Want to recreate the look for your own denim? The Levi’s® Tailor Shop is the go-to spot to repair and reimagine your jeans to transform something just unboxed into a worn-into-the-ground masterpiece. We recently linked up to discuss his relationship to denim, where he finds inspiration and how he created his 501® jeans customization.

Kokie Childers (née Rae-Anne) is a study in contrasts. Her style is still constantly evolving, yet she’s firmly grounded in who she is. She’s a sought-after model, capturing the attention of highly visible brands, creative directors and magazine editors, and a brainy environmental sciences post-bacc pursuing a graduate degree and eventual career in the scientific field. She possesses both an otherworldly ethereal energy and an earthy old-soul wisdom that’s thoughtful, empathic and profound beyond her years. It’s in this tension, the space she occupies between two disparate worlds, where her intangible magic exists. She’s authentic without even trying. Original without a second thought. We recently caught up with the alluring Queens, New York native to discuss her scientific alter ego, how she got her start in modeling, why she loves the Levi’s® 501® and who currently inspires her.

The blue jean. It’s easy to take the style staple for granted, but there’s a storied history to this casual essential and it all starts with one auspicious numeral. Mystery surrounds why “501®” was chosen, but one thing is for certain: it’s the number that changed everything.

Find endless ways to style Levi's® 501 jeans for men and women. See outfits for the 501® Original and 501® '90s Jean to bring back the 90s baggy jean look.

Levi's® talks with creatives Tremaine Emory and Gabriella Karefa-Johnson on why they love 501s. Read about their jean obsessions and creating Denim Tears.