GMD Curator Talk | History of Denim

Hear from curator Jean McElvain about the history of denim—how a practical workwear fabric became a global symbol of identity, resistance, and cultural expression. This talk connects denim’s evolution to themes explored in the Resist and Reclaim exhibition at the Goldstein Museum of Design. Recorded live at the University of Minnesota on February 25, 2026, this program explores denim’s social meaning across time, design innovation, and its role in movements of protest and self-definition. Learn more about the Goldstein Museum of design here: https://design.umn.edu/goldstein Learn more about the Resist and Reclaim Exhibition here: http://z.umn.edu/resist-and-reclaim