Denim

textiles · fashion · history

A special weave. Denim is made using a twill weave, which means the threads cross in a way that creates a diagonal ribbing pattern. This diagonal pattern is what makes denim look and feel so distinctive compared to other cotton fabrics.

Born in France. Denim as we know it today was first produced in Nîmes, France. The name might even come from the French city name, as the fabric was sometimes called 'de Nîmes' (from Nîmes).

Super strong. Denim is a sturdy warp-faced textile, which means it's made to be tough and long-lasting. The special way it's woven makes it perfect for clothing that needs to stand up to hard wear and lots of washing.

Weft under warp. In denim, the weft thread passes under two or more warp threads as it's woven. This creates the diagonal lines you see on the fabric and makes it stronger than plain cotton weaves.