Secondary Research
(http://www.collectibles-articles.com/Article/The-History-of-Denim/23414)
Denim can be found all over the world in a number of forms with jeans proving to be the most common way to wear it. Cared for properly, it can last for years and has featured in trends and fashions for centuries.
The History of Denim
Denim derives from the French fabric called serge and its original name of serge de Nimes was soon shortened to denim. The word jean comes from Italian sailors who used to adorn the material that came from Europe for protection from the elements in the rough seas.
18th century denim
Workers in the cotton plantations, slave camps and trading jobs wore jeans due to its durability and strength in the rough industries.
19th century denim
By the next century, miners took to wearing the strong material that refused to tear and America welcomed the denim industry with the launch of Levi Strauss.
1930s and 40s
In the height of the western movies, cowboys made jeans all the more popular with their rugged images and strong personalities. American soldiers can be thanked for bringing denim and jeans to the attention of the rest of the world and soon after many new companies were founded in a bid to rival Levi.
1950s, 60s 70s
Many schools across the world banned denim as it became associated with a rebellious image after James Dean donned a pair of jeans throughout the hit film, Rebel Without A Cause. The next decade saw the rebirth of denim into a civilised society with embroidered patterns and psychedelic styles and in places across Asia and other non-western countries denim became a notorious sign of western decadence that reflected wealth and was often unaffordable and hard to find.
1980s and 90s
The 80s welcomed denim in a massive way with many designers creating various styles and sales around the world soared. The 90s saw the market for denim go slightly subdued as youngsters sought to break traditional clothing styles in place of more modern options but the beauty of denim is that it is always popular and the millennium welcomed back a resurge in the world of denim.
Denim trends over the years
Trends have altered dramatically throughout the years in a bid to keep up with the latest fashions. From bell bottoms in the 60s and 70s to skinny jeans in the 80s, denim has proved to be as flexible as it is durable. It comes in a range of clothing including overalls, shorts, dresses, cut offs, hats, bags, shirts and skirts and its diversity has earned it popularity across the globe.
Denim makes a comeback
Denim is always available and ever present in shops but as with all fashions the demand for it goes up and down. The 90s saw a generation of rebellious teenagers choosing to avoid denim as parents continued to wear it and therefore making it unattractive to the young generation. This year, denim has yet again made a resurgence as it has been reinvented once again. Denim is free from all social restrictions making it a designer’s dream. It assumes a wide range of guises and prices can vary from designer outfits to dutiful jeans. 2009 is the year of denim and with such a comeback many companies are sure to produce new styles and designs over the coming years that will take their own place in the history books of denim.
interview cutaways
Adam's Interview;
Archive footage of Kings of Leons and other bands. Live footage of him and his band performing in denim.
New Look Interview;
Establishing shot of the name. Panning shots of denim they sell.
Charity Shop Interview;
Establishing shot of the name. Archive footage of men wearing denim more. Cutaway of Victoria Beckham when they mention about paying over the odds for denim.
Repooc Interview;
Establishing shot of the name.
Emails to interviewees
