Must-Have Items in Wardrobes Past and Present

The exhibition "Blue Jeans 350 years" is being held at the Centraal Museum in Utrecht, Netherlands, until Sunday, March 10th. Denim is now a universal material, but it actually boasts a tradition spanning over 350 years. Since the 17th century, denim designs and products have continuously evolved. This exhibition showcases the exceptional skills of artisans passed down through generations, alongside the latest technologies in denim production, detailing 350 years of denim history and transformation.


The exhibition also approaches denim from multiple perspectives, displaying items ranging from haute couture to street fashion. Alongside iconic brands like Levi's and G-Star, it features pieces from numerous high-fashion houses such as Chanel, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Maison Martin Margiela.



At the end of the exhibition, a workshop called "Blue Jeans Studio" is available. Equipped with denim-making machinery, visitors can actually process jeans.

The First Exhibition for Marithé + François Girbaud, a Pioneer of Denim

Marithé + François Girbaud was founded in 1964 by the French design couple François Girbaud and Marithé Girbaud. As pioneers in jeans manufacturing, they have consistently offered comfortable clothing for many years.




While pursuing new techniques, they incorporated technology and creativity into their products, leading the fashion industry in the 1970s. The cowboy jeans, baggy pants, and shuttle pants with tape, original designs by Marithé + François Girbaud that became the archetype of jeans, remain popular staples today.

Left: Marithé Bachellerie and François Girbaud, 1968 © DR Right: African Waistline (1986) by Francois Girbaud

The exhibition features selected works from the brand's archives, design drawings, advertising campaigns, and sketches, offering a retrospective of the maison's history and creations.