Denim: From Cowboys to Catwalks: A History of the World's Most Legendary Fabric [Paperback]

Graham Marsh (Author), Paul Trynka (Author), June Marsh (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2005

The story of denim is a tale rich in paradox. Cherished alike by cowboys and models, the fabric is at once a symbol of the counterculture and the raw material of a major industry. A simple fabric, dating back to 17th-century France, denim today is ubiquitous: Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood have pushed it into the forefront of high fashion; and Calvin Klein and Giorgio Armani have made it the basis for billion-dollar brands. This homage to the much-loved fabric delves deep into the archives to trace the origins and development of denim. It features rare pictures of icons wearing denim, like Marilyn Monroe and Steve McQueen, plus specially commissioned photos of rare and classic garments from the 1880s to the present day. It is complete with a glossary and a guide to valuable vintage items.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A huge collection of iconic images. -- GQ

From its dustbowl cowboys to its catwalk divas, Denim is a must-have. -- Vanity Fair

About the Author

Paul Trynka is editorial director of Mojo magazine. He is the author of Portrait of the Blues and The Electric Guitar and has written on music, travel and architecture for The Face, Elle, The Independent and more. Graham Marsh is the author and art director of numerous visual books, including The Cover Art of Blue Note, East Coasting and California Cool.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Aurum Press; Revised edition (September 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1845131118
• ISBN-13: 978-1845131111
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 7.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #965,160 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, Love Denim January 25, 2006

By R. Bogart

Format:Paperback

Anyone with an interest in denim will find this wonderful book to be a very easy and enlightening read. The pictures are all bright, clear, and of high quality. There are several great images of musicians and celebrities wearing denim (Elvis, Marvin Gaye, Miles Davis) as well as close-up shots of vintage jeans (The first known pair of Levis!). Not only are the pictures great, but the book is written in a manner which is easy to digest. The subject ranges from the history of denim to current trends. It also contains a glossary of terms for quick lookup so if you need to be reminded what selvage or sanfordized is, it's there for you.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in fashion and denim, or simply anyone who wears a pair jeans.