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Bringing Out The Jeansboro in Greensboro

WUNC | By Anita Rao,
Frank Stasio
Published September 22, 2015 at 12:00 PM EDT

Art exhibit curator Evan Morrison, co-owner of Greensboro-based Hudson’s Overall Company Susan Downer, and the director of product development and marketing at Artistic Fabric Mills Henry Wong discuss the history of denim and the upcoming pop up exhibit in Greensboro

Jeans are one of the most ubiquitous clothing items—found in both high-end designer boutiques and on the shelves at Wal-Mart.

Although they originated as work garments for miners, farmers and cattle workers, they have since become a more everyday item.

A new pop-up exhibit in Greensboro explores the history of denim and the role that Greensboro has played in the evolution of denim and denimwear during the past century. “Denim at the Depot” is on view at the Douglas Galyon Depot in downtown Greensboro through Sunday, September 27.

Host Frank Stasio talks to curator of the exhibit Evan Morrison, co-owner of Greensboro-based Hudson’s Overall Company; Susan Downer, in-house archivist for VF Jeanswear, the company that now owns Wrangler and Bluebell; and Henry Wong, indigo expert, and director of product development & marketing at Artistic Fabric Mills.

Examples of the evolution of Blue Bell Wrangler products from work clothing to casual wear.
Evan Morrison /
Examples of the evolution of Blue Bell Wrangler products from work clothing to casual wear.
Wrangler jackets are one of many featured items at 'Denim at the Depot,' a pop-up exhibit on view in Greensboro.
Evan Morrison /
Wrangler jackets are one of many featured items at 'Denim at the Depot,' a pop-up exhibit on view in Greensboro.
Blue Bell workers at a mill in Greensboro in the early 1900s.
VF Jeanswear, Wrangler /
Blue Bell workers at a mill in Greensboro in the early 1900s.
Designer Rodeo Ben worked with Wrangler to perfect the western jeans for cowboys.
VF Jeanswear, Wrangler /
Designer Rodeo Ben worked with Wrangler to perfect the western jeans for cowboys.
A Wrangler advertisement featuring rodeo performer Berva Dawn Sorensen.
VF Jeanswear, Wrangler /
A Wrangler advertisement featuring rodeo performer Berva Dawn Sorensen.
A Newsweek cover from 1966 featuring Wrangler jeans.
VF Jeanswear, Wrangler /
A Newsweek cover from 1966 featuring Wrangler jeans.

Copyright 2015 North Carolina Public Radio
Anita Rao
Anita Rao is the host and creator of "Embodied," a live, weekly radio show and seasonal podcast about sex, relationships & health. She's also the managing editor of WUNC's on-demand content. She has traveled the country recording interviews for the Peabody Award-winning StoryCorps production department, founded and launched a podcast about millennial feminism in the South, and served as the managing editor and regular host of "The State of Things," North Carolina Public Radio's flagship daily, live talk show. Anita was born in a small coal-mining town in Northeast England but spent most of her life growing up in Iowa and has a fond affection for the Midwest.
See stories by Anita Rao
Frank Stasio
Longtime NPR correspondent Frank Stasio was named permanent host of The State of Things in June 2006. A native of Buffalo, Frank has been in radio since the age of 19. He began his public radio career at WOI in Ames, Iowa, where he was a magazine show anchor and the station's News Director.
See stories by Frank Stasio