Denim's Journey
Denim's Journey
A Story Spanning from 1853 to the Present
In the 1850s, among the adventurers flocking to California, famous for its gold mines, was one who aimed to get rich not by finding gold, but by trading it.
This person was 24-year-old Levi Strauss. In 1853, after a five-month sea voyage, he arrived in San Francisco and opened a clothing store.
His customers were mostly gold miners and farmers.
One day, a customer complained to Strauss that he couldn't find a pair of pants that would last all day. Strauss then replaced the durable canvas fabric with denim and sewed a new pair of pants — and thus began denim's legendary journey.
These pants quickly gained popularity due to their durability and imperfections. They became the standard attire for lumberjacks, miners, railroad workers, and farmers.
Interestingly, the first series of pants produced by Levi Strauss were brown.
Fashion, Rebellion, and the Influence of Hollywood
During World War II, denim pants became widespread, especially among factory workers. In the 1950s, denim became a symbol of popular culture among American youth. As rebellious young people began to prefer these pants, many restaurants and theaters refused entry to those wearing denim.
While many factors contributed to the widespread popularity of denim, Hollywood's role is undeniable. In the 1950s, James Dean created a new image among young people with the film "Rebel Without a Cause." Many young people imitated his style, making jeans a symbol of freedom and rebellion. During this period, jeans were even banned in some American schools as a "symbol of defiance against formality."
Becoming a Global Symbol
From the 1960s onwards, denim began to be reshaped in different styles. Washed denim models, with their diverse colors and styles, have secured a lasting place in the fashion world. By the 1970s, denim trousers had become a common symbol of youth not only in America but worldwide.
How Did Denim Come to Turkey?
The popularity of denim trousers in Turkey coincided with almost the same period as in the rest of the world.
The name "kot," which is the Turkish name for this garment originally called "blue jean," actually has a story that very few people know.
"Kot" is the name of a local brand that produced trousers from denim fabric.
The creator of this brand was the merchant Muhteşem Kot.
In 1960, the "KOT" brand was registered, and the first denim trousers began to be sold in shops frequented by workers and villagers on Necati Bey Street in Karaköy and Samanpazarı in Ankara.
A Story Spanning from 1853 to the Present
In the 1850s, among the adventurers flocking to California, famous for its gold mines, was one who aimed to get rich not by finding gold, but by trading it.
This person was 24-year-old Levi Strauss. In 1853, after a five-month sea voyage, he arrived in San Francisco and opened a clothing store.
His customers were mostly gold miners and farmers.
One day, a customer complained to Strauss that he couldn't find a pair of pants that would last all day. Strauss then replaced the durable canvas fabric with denim and sewed a new pair of pants — and thus began denim's legendary journey.
These pants quickly gained popularity due to their durability and imperfections. They became the standard attire for lumberjacks, miners, railroad workers, and farmers.
Interestingly, the first series of pants produced by Levi Strauss were brown.
Fashion, Rebellion, and the Influence of Hollywood
During World War II, denim pants became widespread, especially among factory workers. In the 1950s, denim became a symbol of popular culture among American youth. As rebellious young people began to prefer these pants, many restaurants and theaters refused entry to those wearing denim.
While many factors contributed to the widespread popularity of denim, Hollywood's role is undeniable. In the 1950s, James Dean created a new image among young people with the film "Rebel Without a Cause." Many young people imitated his style, making jeans a symbol of freedom and rebellion. During this period, jeans were even banned in some American schools as a "symbol of defiance against formality."
Becoming a Global Symbol
From the 1960s onwards, denim began to be reshaped in different styles. Washed denim models, with their diverse colors and styles, have secured a lasting place in the fashion world. By the 1970s, denim trousers had become a common symbol of youth not only in America but worldwide.
How Did Denim Come to Turkey?
The popularity of denim trousers in Turkey coincided with almost the same period as in the rest of the world.
The name "kot," which is the Turkish name for this garment originally called "blue jean," actually has a story that very few people know.
"Kot" is the name of a local brand that produced trousers from denim fabric.
The creator of this brand was the merchant Muhteşem Kot.
In 1960, the "KOT" brand was registered, and the first denim trousers began to be sold in shops frequented by workers and villagers on Necati Bey Street in Karaköy and Samanpazarı in Ankara.