EVENT TWO: blue r/evolution

A revolutionary narrative where denim emerges as a means to social change

14 January – 15 February 2025, Manifattura Campus, Florence

In occasion of Pitti Uomo 107, Polimoda presents AN/ARCHIVE EVENT TWO: blue r/evolution, a bold and immersive exhibition exploring the power of denim as a symbol of social change, cultural identity, and fashion’s evolving role in our lives. Held at Polimoda’s Manifattura Campus in Florence from January 14 to February 15, 2025, the exhibition invites visitors to reconsider denim not just as a material, but as a powerful medium of storytelling.

More than a fabric, denim represents rebellion, resilience, and reinvention. Through garments, objects, photography, and installation art, blue r/evolution traces denim’s journey from the working class to the catwalk, revealing how indigo-dyed cotton became a canvas for both subculture and mainstream expression.

Curated within AN/ARCHIVE — Polimoda’s innovative research platform — the exhibition features rare pieces from Roy Roger’s denim archive, spanning 150 years of workwear history. From American miners to military uniforms, these garments are marked with wear, stains, and history, each telling the story of the individuals who wore them.

The exhibition also features contemporary textile installations by artists like Chinami and Rowland Ricketts, and photographic work by Charles Fréger, who captures the identity and humanity behind industrial workwear.

As Polimoda Director Massimiliano Giornetti notes, blue r/evolution reveals how denim mirrors larger societal shifts, challenging us to see fashion not as decoration but as a reflection of who we are — and what we value.

Visitors can also engage with curated research materials in the Polimoda Library and attend live talks with global creatives like Satoshi Kuwata, founder of SETCHU and winner of the 2023 LVMH Prize, making this exhibition not only a celebration of denim, but a conversation about its future.

Check out more about the exhibition here.