January is Denim Time

January’s theme at .Cent is the word Industry. Inspired partly by the huge influence of denim that has slowly been dripping into the fashion scene of late and doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Wear it washed out; doubled up, punctured, frayed, acid washed the multiple of options are on offer and seem to be endless.

The Autumn Winter 2022 catwalks were full of denim in all forms. Denim being used in conventional ways as seen on the David Koma, Rejina Pyo and Celine catwalks. Reworking denim by mixing colours, cuts, textures and different colour palettes as seen by Conner Ives, Ahuluwhia and MM6. Or making denim the full head-to-toe show-stopping look as showcased by Desil and No Sesso. Denim is timeless, versatile and always creative.

The creation of denim, has its very roots in the world of the industry as this super strong form of denim was created for hard-working labourers and factory workers mainly in the USA. Most know that in 1873, Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis patented their riveted work pant that kept the pocket and seams from bursting when doing heavy work. Denim was the staple of farm and industrial wear throughout the late 1800s and mid-1900s.

The name denim dates back to the 17th century a heavy twill cloth created in Nîmes, France, serge de Nîmes was this cotton that later became known simply as “denim.”

Yet the name jeans comes from elsewhere. Sailors from Italy wore these tough twill trousers and came from Genoa. Those Genoese workwear pieces became genes.

Nowadays Denim is eternal; loved and worn by all shaped and styled to be simple or complex, parred back or extravagant.

Conner Ives