MAH: The Role of Denim in Fashion History

Denim has been a staple of fashion for over a century, but it’s more than just a pair of jeans—it has evolved into a cultural icon and a material with a deep history.

Denim: From Workwear to Fashion Staple

Denim, made from cotton twill, was originally used in the late 19th century for workwear. Levi Strauss famously created durable denim pants for miners during the California Gold Rush in 1850. Denim’s rugged durability made it the fabric of choice for hard labor and was initially seen as utilitarian clothing for working men.

However, denim gained mainstream popularity after World War II when it became a symbol of rebellion and youth culture. By the 1960s, denim jeans had become synonymous with the counterculture and rock-n-roll movements, and it was no longer confined to workwear. Over time, denim evolved into a versatile fabric, used for everything from jackets and skirts to designer high-fashion collections.