Wrangler holds a 100-year history that spans the Western front, rife with working souls and cowboys as well as European cool, that includes bohemian sensibilities with an international flair. This week we put the spotlight on a pair of jeans that has come to define neverending adventure and the spirit of wanderlust.
Wrangler and its company, Blue Bell, both have a story to be told behind their names. Wrangler, consistent with the name for a working cowboy, was picked out by the Blue Bell workers in the mid 1940s. The name fitted perfectly to the jeans line since the origin of Wrangler was first developed with a number of features to suit the needs of the cowboys.
A bell was given to C.C Hudson, the founder of Blue Bell in the earlier days. As time passed, the bell (like many other things in the factory) was covered with blue denim dust and hence the name of the company, as well as the logo you see above.
After pouring a huge effort into designing and prototyping 13 pairs of jeans, Blue Bell finally launched the 13MWZ in 1947. In the promotional campaign, they featured their test riders and rodeo legends. One of them was Jim Shoulders, a world champion cowboy, whom later snagged a total of 16 champion titles after the endorsement.
Wrangler jeans, although having a design much more inclined to the Westerners’ preference, made a successful launch in the European jeans market. Soon, it became the icon of youth culture.
The European ad campaign, We Are Animals, was very well-received amongst the advertising agencies internationally
In 1997, 13MWZ celebrated its 50th anniversary. A special edition of the 13MWZ was released.
Today, jeans can be described using the 4 F’s. Fitting, finishes, fabrics and features. Wrangler clearly distinguishes its jeans from the others through its fabrics and features. The 7 core features of a Wrangler jeans dates back to the 13MWZ’s time.
Wrangler Patch, Authentic Copper Rivets, ’W’ Stitch Pocket, ‘W’ Rivet Watch Pocket, Fully Feld Outer Seam, Branded Front Button, 7 Belt Loops
To bring about the soft, aged texture that Hui Wen of Revel In Me was raving about, Wrangler introduced the Broken Twill denim in 1964. It makes a Wrangler smooth, comfortable and yet sturdy.
The brand has earned the love of Hollywood players with a keen eye for style. Take for example, the face of metrosexual men far and wide, David Beckham, who was seen in a Wrangler denim jacket and shirt on the streets and at a basketball game.
Female celebrities as well have included Wrangler in their wardrobe as denim basics.
Michelle Williams, Gemma Atherton
Chloe Sevigny, Olivia Wilde
Mary-Kate from the Olsen twins
Meanwhile, someone else has been scoring all those Chic Points with her pair of Wrangler jeans.
Spotted: Kasica from Chictopia! From spring days to winter, looks like those pair of Wrangler jeans knows no season boundaries.
For this season’s campaign, Wrangler emphasizes its strong belief in freedom, invidualism and the spirit of being yourself. It is expressed through a journey of four cities, NYC, Texas, Nevada and LA, where the denim evolution takes places too.
Do drop by Wrangler’s outlet in Sunway Pyramid to get a glimpse of the evolution of washes and shades of the Wrangler jeans.
Style It Up with Wrangler & TiC would be another solid reason for you to be at this new Wrangler outlet. Be sure to be inspired and emulate one of five
Hui Wen’s styled looks with her Molly 712 to secure your chances of getting the 16GB iPad 2!
Contest ends on the 25th July 2011. For more info, visit the TiC x Wrangler microsite.
[Image credits: denimoholic, mikeswesternsuppliers, kingofbull, wrangler (AU), celebitchy, denimblog, wrangler (TW), wrangler (MY), Chictopia, denimology, upscalehype]
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