Exhibit 99

LEVI                                1155 Battery Street, San Francisco, CA 94111
STRAUSS
   & Co.
  NEWS                                               Media Contact: Jeff Beckman
                                                                  1-415-501-1698

          LEVI STRAUSS & CO. ANNOUNCES DEPARTURE OF AMERICA'S REGION PRESIDENT

      SAN  FRANCISCO  (February  9, 2001) -- Levi Strauss & Co.  (LS&CO.)  today
      announced that James Lewis,  president of Levi Strauss, the Americas,  has
      left the San Francisco-based company to pursue other business interests in
      New York City.

      "Levi Strauss & Co. is a great company with powerful brands," said  Lewis,
      "but I have decided to return to what is home for me and base camp for the
      apparel industry - New York City."  Lewis, 50, joined LS&CO. last year.

      "Jim is an  accomplished  apparel  executive  who has worked  very hard to
      contribute  to  our  business  success,"  said  Philip  A.  Marineau,  the
      company's  president  and chief  executive  officer.  "However,  Jim and I
      mutually agreed that his departure was the right course of action for him.
      I am thankful to Jim for his  contributions  and wish him the very best in
      his future endeavors."

      The company has launched an executive  search for Lewis'  replacement.  In
      the interim, Marineau will manage the America's business together with the
      region's senior  leadership team. "It will be a smooth  transition,"  said
      Marineau. "We've made great progress in our business turnaround during the
      past year, and now have an  undeviating  focus on what needs to be done to
      achieve our business plans."

                                   -- more --




      Lewis
      February 9, 2001
      Add One



      Levi  Strauss  & Co.  is  one  of  the  world's  leading  branded  apparel
      companies, marketing its products in more than 80 countries worldwide. The
      company  designs and markets  jeans and  jeans-related  pants,  casual and
      dress pants,  shirts,  jackets and related  accessories for men, women and
      children under the Levi's(R), Dockers(R) and Slates(R) brands.


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