words by MARIE-PAULINE CESARI

ICONIC DENIM MOMENTS FROM OUR ARCHIVES

WECANDANCE returns for its 12th edition during the long weekend of August 15, 16, and 17. Over three days, festival visitors will once again be immersed in music, food, and fashion at the stunning Zeebrugge Beach. This year, the festival takes a bold step into the world of fashion with its new theme: Denim Dancers. Under the creative direction of Studio Dennis Vanderbroeck, WECANDANCE embraces denim in all its colors and facets. Visitors are encouraged to experiment with their outfits and celebrates denim’s versatility.

To mark this special theme, we decided to take a deep dive into our archives, rediscovering our most iconic fashion stories, print, and digital covers that have spotlighted denim.

ALEJANDRO ZWARTENDIJK captured by DANIEL SARS

SHAY LATUKOLAN captured by DANIEL SARS

RICKY MARTIN captured by FERNANDO SIPPEL

SERGIO PERDOMO captured by TAYLOR MILLER

CASEY AFFLECK captured by FERNANDO SIPPEL

FROM WORKWEAR TO HIGH FASHION

For us, denim is the ultimate democratic fabric that belongs to everyone. Almost every wardrobe holds a cherished denim piece, whether it’s a pair of jeans, an oversized jacket, or a long skirt. It’s accessible yet fashionable, a staple that evolves with time while remaining effortlessly cool.

Denim’s journey is one of reinvention. Originating in the late 19th century as durable workwear for miners and laborers, it has since undergone many transformations. By the mid-20th century, denim had become a rebellious symbol, worn by cultural icons like James Dean and Marlon Brando. The 1970s and 80s saw denim diversify—bell-bottoms, acid wash, and distressed styles each marked their respective eras and subcultures.

Today, denim has firmly secured its place in high fashion. Luxury brands have embraced it in unexpected ways. Valentino, for instance, captivated audiences last season with an illusion: a pair of denim-look-like-pants crafted entirely from tiny beads for the ‘Un Château,’ Fall/Winter 23 Haute Couture collection; Balenciaga by Demna has redefined oversized denim silhouettes, while brands like Prada and Gucci continuously reimagine the fabric in their collections.