American Denim: The Supposed Final Days and Resurgence of a Manufacturing Icon

By: Matt Sharkey

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Synopsis: American Denim aims to preserve a unique property and a unique time in the history of American textiles. At one time the world&’s largest denim mill, occupying more than a million square feet, you almost couldn&’t see where the looms ended at the White Oak mill in Greensboro, North Carolina. Between 1915 and 1970, the lion&’s share of denim produced for Levi Strauss & Co. was made there. Photographer Matt Sharkey was the only person granted access to all three recent stages of the White Oak mill&’s life: • the last week of commercial production in December 2017 • empty and vacated in February 2018 • brought back to life in a small but mighty way in September 2022 Here is a layered history told through beautifully honest "portraits" that were captured with film, an analog process to honor analog manufacturing and those who worked, and work, at the mill.