Polimoda presents AN/ARCHIVE EVENT TWO: blue r/evolution at Pitti Uomo 107, an innovative exhibition that explores the cultural, social and anthropological evolution of denim and the color blue.
Open to the public from January 14 to February 15 at Polimoda’s Manifattura Campus, the showcase investigates the transformative power of workwear and denim, weaving together historical memory, artistic innovation and a vision for the future. More than just a colour, Indigo blue holds deep symbolic and cultural significance. Historically associated with exclusivity and spirituality, it has transformed into the defining color of workers, communities and social movements.
“In the complex interaction between fashion and sociology, few garments tell a story as multifaceted as denim. blue r/evolution is not just an exhibition about clothing—it is a deep dive into how a single fabric can reflect, challenge and redefine social narratives. Denim embodies a living paradox: at once elitist and accessible, traditional and revolutionary, local and global. Its constant evolution attests to the fluid boundaries of our society. Every thread, every shade of indigo, carries a powerful message: clothing is never just clothing. It is a mirror, a manifesto, a revolution,” explains Massimiliano Giornetti, director of Polimoda and exhibition curator.
blue r/evolution is more than an exhibition; it is a cultural dialogue. Combining historical archives, art installations, photographs and garments, the event invites the public to reflect on the relationship between clothing, personal identity and the social transformations of our time.
Exhibition highlights
Roy Roger’s Archive: 150 Years of Denim and Workwear
From Roy Roger’s private archive comes a selection of workwear garments that trace 150 years of denim history. Shades of blue, tears, stains and signs of wear tell the stories of those who wore them, preserving the tales embedded in these lived-in pieces. From American miner overalls to railway workers’ trousers, prison jackets and military parkas, they all share a common element: the identity of their wearers. Founded in Campi Bisenzio in 1952, Roy Roger’s was Italy’s first denim brand. The archive, curated by Guido Biondi, the brand’s creative director, houses over 6,000 pieces: from historical denim, workwear, and military garments, which testify to the early applications of denim and the craftsmanship that made them unique, to modern reinterpretations that celebrate their role in contemporary design.
Charles Fréger: Bleus de travail
Photographer Charles Fréger presents Bleus de travail, a collection of portraits capturing students from vocational schools posing in their uniforms, symbols of their trade, presented as a true catalog of workwear. Fréger’s images highlight the contrast between the uniformity of the outfits and the personal details that reveal the personalities of the young subjects. Rolled-up sleeves, slicked-back hair, piercings: small distinguishing features that break the established order and tell the story of the tension between individuality and collective identity.
Rowland + Chinami Ricketts: Zurashi/Slipped
Textile artists Rowland and Chinami Ricketts reinterpret traditional Japanese indigo dyeing techniques through Zurashi/Slipped, an installation inspired by the ikat process. Using dyed and woven threads suspended in space, they transform weaving into a visual experience, exploring the meeting of tradition and creative innovation. The work is inspired by a variant of the ikat method, where threads, tied and moved before dyeing, create stepped patterns and areas resistant to color. In the installation, the suspended warp creates patterns reminiscent of the drying of freshly dyed threads and their compression on the loom. The result is a poetic metaphor that forces us to dig deep into our own origins for a necessary reflection on the profound value of blue.
Research tables
The Polimoda Library, one of Europe’s most comprehensive fashion libraries, presents a curated selection of books, publications and research materials to explore the key themes of the exhibition: blue, denim, workwear, subcultures, textile art and photography. Designed to stimulate curiosity and in-depth exploration, the collection offers visitors the opportunity to discover new connections between aesthetics, history and innovation. The selected texts are available for on-site consultation and represent a valuable resource for enthusiasts, scholars and creatives in search of inspiration.
AN/ARCHIVE EVENT TWO: blue r/evolution
January 14 – February 15
Polimoda Manifattura Campus, via delle Cascine 35, Florence
Open Monday to Saturday, 10am-7pm
Free entrance
