The history of Cone Denim dates back 125 years when two brothers, Moses and Ceasar Cone, born to Bavarian immigrants, first set into motion their vision of a marketing-based textile company. The Cones purchased more than 2,000 acres in Greensboro and built the first plant, Proximity, named for its close “proximity” to the cotton fields that supplied its denims. The Revolution mill was built in 1899, expanding the company’s offerings with new flannel styles. At the turn of the century the brothers embarked on what would become the largest denim plant in the world, and White Oak began operations in April 1905.

 

White Oak’s heritage of authenticity and innovation continue to inspire today with its re-creation of vintage selvage denim, fashioned after the constructions of the early 1900s and woven today on American Draper X-3 fly shuttle looms. Early innovations included the development of long chain indigo dyeing, denim sanforization and Cone’s Deeptone Denim, introduced in 1936. The White Oak mill operates today as Cone Denim’s global flagship operation, serving as the creative center for new product development and innovation led by Cone® 3D, the brand’s R&D group.

 

Cone Denim redefines contemporary denims with new, sustainable and performance characteristics, including its evolving line of performance denims offering patented S-Gene® stretch, high-performance strength, moisture management and cooling properties, and blends and treatments not traditionally available in denim. Cone Denim practices sustainable manufacturing across its global network of mills focused on energy and water conservation, alternative fuels, recycling and sustainable cotton initiatives.

 

The two-day, 125-year anniversary celebration includes tours of the White Oak mill, a tribute party at the Revolution Mill Event Center (converted from the original mill) and a Design Challenge and Runway Competition featuring original designs by students from North Carolina State University’s College of Textiles made from White Oak selvage denim. Jurors for the Design Challenge are industry icons Francois Girbaud, founder & owner of Marithé + Francois Girbaud; Scott Morrison, founder, president and designer 3X1; Amy Leverton of Denim Dudes; and Victor Lytvinenko, founder of Raleigh Denim Workshop.

 

Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan will proclaim April 6th Cone Denim Day in Greensboro as part of a downtown celebration that evening. Downtown banners will display throughout the month of April recognizing the milestone anniversary.

 

Source: Cone Denim