Can a first-day-of-school dress or a pair of mismatched cleats reveal anything important about history? The author of a new book argues that examining clothing from the past helps us remember historical moments and view them in a new light. Listen to hear a fashion historian explain how a belt from the Holocaust and an outfit worn by Princess Diana in a minefield can make history come alive.
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Big fashion brands like Nike and Ralph Lauren are experimenting with virtual fashion for metaverse spaces like social media and online gaming. In this interview, a fashion expert discusses the limitless creative possibilities of virtual fashion and the reasons why fashion exists. Listen to hear about the exciting virtual fashion choices people can make in the metaverse to express themselves and find out why companies may believe exploring virtual fashion is a smart business decision.
Read MoreJapanese Tradition Inspires Clothing Upcycling Trend
Mending, or repairing, torn and stained clothing can be good for the environment. The practice of visible mending, which emphasizes rather than hides the repair, adds creativity to the clothing’s sustainability. The visible mending trend has its history in the ancient Japanese tradition of sashiko, stitching geometric patterns into fabric in order to strengthen it. Listen to hear more about visible mending and the process of sashiko.
Read MoreFashion Designer Includes the Excluded
European cities like Paris and Milan are often considered the centers of fashion design, but Canadian fashion designer Aurora James sees things differently. She has written a memoir about her partnership with artisans from Kenya, Haiti, and other places that have not typically been involved in luxury fashion. Like the women of color who James works with to create her fashion accessories brand, her background is unusual for someone in the design world. Listen to hear a non-traditional designer discuss her struggles to start a business, the lessons she learned growing up, and the negative impact wealthier countries can have on clothing manufacturing.
Read MoreCURRENT EVENT | March 27, 2024
Blue jeans have been around for over 150 years. They originated when tailor Jacob Davis partnered with Levi Strauss to create durable work pants out of denim. Although today jeans come in different styles and appeal to a wide range of consumers, originally they were worn by people who did hard labor, including enslaved Africans and Chinese laborers. Listen to learn about the evolution of blue jeans over time and how they came to symbolize both toughness and adaptability.
Story Length: 3:00
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05/23/2023
https://app.listenwise.com/students/events/2608-history-of-blue-jeans
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