The History of Denim
We explore the history of this workwear classic, and what makes AKYN denim, different.
Denim’s long history is rooted in workwear. Originating from the durable cotton trousers – bleu de Gênes – worn by Italian sailors from Genoa (which gave us the word ‘jeans’), it was in the 1870s that Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss patented copper-riveted denim work pants – creating a tough garment built for gold miners, railroad workers and cowboys.
Over time, jeans evolved from practical workwear into a symbol of rebellion, thanks to icons like Marlon Brando and James Dean, before making their way onto the runway with designers like Calvin Klein in the 1970s.
Fast forward to today, denim has become the ultimate wardrobe icon. Its durability has always been central to its appeal and remains one of the most important pillars of sustainability. The twill weave, reinforced rivets and strong stitching all make denim incredibly hard-wearing and built to last.
However, though durable, traditional cotton production is water-intensive and relies heavily on pesticides, affecting both workers health and soil quality. At AKYN, we use three responsible cotton supply chains: unbleached organic cotton for our ecru denim, 100% recycled cotton for our Midwash Blue, and regeneratively farmed cotton for our Stay Black.
In true AKYN style, our denim has been elevated with our bespoke hardware, adding juxtaposing decoration to the heritage workwear classic.
