The Strongness Of Denim
Denim is here to stay forever! A quote that you see coming along very often. Although these are just a few words, they say it all and it makes a bold statement. That denim survived all the downfalls in the fashion industry is a fact. Since denim fabrics became so popular to produce workwear styles for miners back in the mid-1800s, nobody could imagine that these styles would make it so far as a timeless fashion icon. Denim is strong and versatile and everyone looks cool in denim. Another strong statement!
An Inspiring Denim Master Class For Students
Recently, I taught the students at the Summa College in Eindhoven, The Netherlands more about denim. This as a kick-off for an exciting project to develop their own denim brand. The idea of my master class was to inspire and educate them more about denim. What is denim, where is denim coming from, the denim lifestyle, the vintage denim game, the sustainability approach, production processes, and insights that are attached to denim.
The next step within this denim project will be to monitor and guide these students in the right direction to establish a new brand, on paper. To witness the positive power and feedback of these students who are so willing to learn is something magical. They can make a difference in the end and bring denim to another level in the future. Another way of using the powerful fabric in new designs and a new approach in general. Teaching and educating a new generation means pushing denim into a new path and direction.

A few snapshots of the denim master class at the Summa College.
5 Reasons To Embrace Denim For The Next Generation
To preserve the legacy of denim, it is essential to teach the new generation about denim. So let’s highlight 5 reasons why we need to embrace denim as it is and spread the denim word to keep it alive with the next generation. And to give them tools so they can bring denim to the next level and make it ready for the next 150 years.
Reason 1) Preserving Cultural Heritage
Denim originated as sturdy workwear for miners, cowboys, farmers, and laborers in general. Also, Thanks to them, denim played a significant role in industrial history. Not to forget about the rebellious period as many historical moments can be linked to people wearing denim as a statement. Denim also brought people together, they united (and still unite!) people all around the world. Sharing this story with the next generation helps them to connect the past with future possibilities.
Reason 2) Understanding Sustainability
It’s not a secret anymore that denim production consumes a lot of water and energy and contributes to pollution. Luckily, many processes have been changed during the last 10 to 15 years. All to achieve a cleaner and better tomorrow. Teaching the new generation about the understanding of sustainability can help them develop more tools and concepts to reduce the industry’s environmental footprint.
Sharing examples of recycling, upcycling, and eco-friendly approaches will educate them to think and act smartly to minimize waste. They can develop themselves into future design leaders where they combine the history of denim with new innovative production techniques. So, to make them eco-conscious is key.
Reason 3) Encouraging Quality over Quantity
Denim has proven to be very durable, so it’s the base or motor of a more slow-fashion mindset. In the end, you don’t need to buy each month a new pair of jeans or a denim jacket. Teaching the strongness of denim contributes to less fast fashion. It’s about quality instead of quantity. It’s about timeless designs that can be worn for many years to come. Remember, denim only gets better with age!
Reason 4) Supporting Craftsmanship
There’s so much craftsmanship behind denim. From eco-friendly dyeing methods to the weaving processes to producing a pair of jeans. These artisanal skills need to stay alive and need to be shared to develop new stages of denim. Denim will always be part of fashion, so supporting the craftsmanship behind it will keep denim young, forever.
Reason 5) Personal Expression
More and more people want to be an individual instead of being framed in a box. Denim is the ultimate canvas to personalize by creativity as it comes to embroideries, patchwork, or any other form of self-expression. Not to speak about the endless design possibilities!
By educating the new generation about personal expression on denim, we ensure denim’s legacy continues responsibly and meaningfully.
Denim Master Class For Your Company
If you’re looking to elevate your denim company to the next level or want to educate and inspire your denim team, reach out to explore how I can energize them with denim expertise in a denim master class. Contact me at wouter@long-john.nl. I’m ready to denim boost you!