Do you know where the origin of jeans comes from? This fabric which became more popular in the last century to be present today in all wardrobes worthy of the name. Do you think as certain that it is on the lands of the Western that the Denim canvas was born?
Genoa Blue Origin
The fabric called jeans has been used since the 16th century by the Genoese navy to equip its ships with sails as well as to clothe its sailors. The city of Genoa is, in fact, famous for this cotton and linen canvas, very similar to corduroy .
The Merchant Republic of Genoa exported this fabric throughout Europe, particularly to England (where it was used in sailor's trousers, but also ship sails or tent canvas), to Nîmes where the weavers (such as the André ) attempt to reproduce this fabric, without success.
Through experimentation, they developed another fabric in the 17th century, a woolen and silk canvas in twill weave which became known as Denim (from Nîmes). This canvas, renowned for its resistance (it is used as work clothes by Cévennes shepherds and peasants), was then exported to Genoa and dyed indigo or pastel blue, the ancestor of indigo.
Levis Strauss is the democratization of denim fabric
In 1873, Levis Strauss, owner of a hardware store, had the idea, with the tailor Jacob Davis, of associating resistant denim with copper rivets to create overalls with a waist.
They placed rivets at the level of the fly, in order to prevent the miners from falling asleep during the maneuvers, because they were often drunk).
Today, we call this garment the very "first blue jean".
The 1970s, the trigger
Blue jeans or blue jeans become a dress code among the hippie generation. The carrot shape metamorphoses and becomes an elephant's leg. Indeed, we customize it, we paint it, we embroider it, we sew shells, rhinestones, jewels, flower patterns or "peace and love".
It is the symbol of a social revolution, against the system, jeans become the spokesperson for a whole generation, making love and not war.