The first pairs of jeans were designed for durability; denim was constructed as a sturdy weave worn by sailors and miners. But over the course of the 20th century, as the demand for jeans has gone up, their durability has gone down. Today, most pairs last no longer than a year. And each new pair you buy has a much higher cost than you might think. Madhavi Venkatesan traces the life cycle of jeans. [Directed by Sofia Pashaei, narrated by Pen-Pen Chen, music by Salil Bhayani, cAMP Studio].

Madhavi Venkatesan: The life cycle of a pair of jeans

The life cycle of a pair of jeans

Jeans' transformation from durable workwear to disposable fashion reflects a broader trend of sacrificing sustainability.

The demise of jeans' lifespan, now often under a year, mirrors the urgent need for a shift towards more sustainable practices.

A single pair of jeans requires 10,000 liters of water and emits 33 kg of CO2, highlighting fashion's hidden environmental toll.