Denim: An Unexpected History (Pre-Recorded)

PRE-RECORDED

Levi's invented denim right?!

Wrong! During this talk we'll learn that despite rising to fame in the early-mid 1900's via Levi Strauss, this sturdy blue cloth has been around for hundreds of years, and not just for use as trousers.

Although it was known for its use as durable workwear for miners, farmers and cowboys, one of the earliest 'denim-like' materials discovered was used as a 'canvas' for a 16th century depiction of The Passion of Christ.

References to denim have been found in 17th century 'genre' paintings by The Master of the Blue Jeans, where it is depicted as common attire for the impoverished, with great detail focussed on the rips and tears in the worn-in blue cloth.

Used as sails, packing material and as standard Army & Navy uniforms during WW1, denim has not always been the wardrobe staple as it is now, and with prices now ranging from £5 to £1500 for a pair of jeans, denim does not make a statement about social class as it once did.

We'll look at what makes denim... denim - is it the cotton, the twill, the indigo? Each of these elements has its own history - the French originally made denim in silk and wool, not cotton, and nowadays, hemp and tencel are making an appearance in a quest to make denim more eco friendly.

Jeans come in many different colours - if its not blue, is it denim?

We'll look at spinning and weaving processes from pre Industrial Revolution to present day, and at the environmental impact the current demand for denim has on our planet.

We'll learn how 'Denim' and 'Jeans' got their names, the story behind the copper rivet, and all about the 136 year old pair of jeans found in a US mine shaft, that are now kept in a vault that only two people know the combination for.

We'll study the difference between selvedge denim and denim woven on shuttle-less looms, looking closely at how denim making has changed over the years.

Then we'll discover how denim hit the mainstream market via Hollywood movies, and we'll find out how Calvin Klein sexualised denim with one ad campaign in the early 80's, turning $25 million into $180 million almost overnight despite being banned.

To finish, we'll look at the impact 'fast fashion' has had on the denim industry, and how that has affected the environment, and the quality of life of the people making our clothes. We'll learn about social responsibility, transparency of supply chains, how to look out for greenwashing, and at some of the many ways we can become more conscious when we buy.