Denim is the iconic fabric of America. Anywhere in the world, when asked what is American, it is almost always denim jeans. Denim is one of the world’s oldest fabrics and yet it is considered eternally young.
There is a fascinating exhibit at the Fashion Institute of Technology(FIT) in New York that is a must-see with a collection of 75 pieces spanning from the 1830s to present day. Beginning with 19th century workwear, denim was used for prison garb, for Rosie the Riveter, and continued to the 50s when hippies claimed it as their clothing of choice.
Enter the world of fashion designers and denim became chic. In particular, Ralph Lauren changed the way we look at denim. The exhibit highlights the cultural significance of denim and is beautifully curated:
http://fashionista.com/2015/12/denim-fit-exhibit