DENIM... from Nîmes?

From twill to denim

Nîmes was an important manufacturing town between the 17th and 19th centuries, producing wool and silk fabrics exported worldwide.

One of these fabrics, called "serge de Nîmes", appears to be one of the ancestors of denim, a fabric that is particularly famous around the world for its use in making jeans.

Denim is a fabric made from cotton using a special weaving principle known as twill. There are many different kinds of twill, but what makes denim so special is its diagonal weave of unbleached and indigo-dyed yarns. This gives one side white and the other blue, with a progressive wash.

This fabric became famous thanks to two men: David Jacob and Levi Strauss, who teamed up at the end of the 19th century to make heavy-duty pants, called jeans, for miners, gold miners and railroad workers. The name comes from the contraction of the English expression "a pair of jeans", meaning pants. The word jeans should not be confused with jean, which is the name given to a fabric made of plain twill.

The Italian city of Genoa was once a major producer and exporter of plain twill fabrics, and is said to be the origin of the word denim.

As for the name denim, it could be a contraction of "de Nîmes", used as a guarantee of quality since the city was particularly renowned in the 18th century for the quality of its fabrics, including "serge de Nîmes" spun from wool and/or silk. Denim and serge are similar in name, weaving principle and use of two-tone yarns.

Originally conceived as a sturdy, affordable work garment, blue jeans became a staple of the American wardrobe in the early 20th century. Its success quickly spread across the Atlantic, thanks in particular to its image in the cinema, to become a cultural symbol in Europe.

The Musée du Vieux Nîmes honors this emblematic fabric through a unique textile collection. From local know-how to textile innovations and industrial heritage, the museum invites you to discover the fascinating history of this fabric that has become universal. A must-see visit to understand how Nîmes has woven its place in world textile history over the centuries.

Denim made in Nîmes

 

The " Ateliers de Nîmes " have set themselves a crazy challenge: weave denim in Nîmes to make real Nîmes denim jeans!

Founded in 2014, the company's mission is to recreate locally the famous "serge de Nîmes", the fabric behind the word "denim".

The adventure began with the manufacture of jeans in Nîmes, using imported fabrics to establish the brand's reputation. Driven by a shared passion for denim and a deep respect for traditional craftsmanship, the founders invested in looms and trained in traditional weaving techniques. The result, in 2020, was the production of the first denim fabrics entirely woven in Nîmes, marking the return of this production to its historic birthplace.

 

Les Ateliers de Nîmes is also committed to responsible, sustainable production. They favor the use of organic cotton yarns, source from French spinning mills and adopt water-saving weaving processes, avoiding traditional sizing. This artisanal, environmentally-friendly approach creates high-quality jeans, while helping to preserve natural resources.

By reintroducing denim manufacturing to Nîmes, Les Ateliers de Nîmes are perpetuating a textile heritage deeply rooted in the city's history, and playing an active role in the revival of local industry, while offering authentic, sustainable products.