The World of Blue Jeans From the sweatshops of Asia to the runways of New York, denim is bigger than ever

Zhongshan, China
Workers at this jeans factory in the Chinese boomtown put out 10,000 pairs a day, almost all of them in the fashionable "distressed" style.


Avissawella, Sri Lanka
The garment industry provides jobs for nearly one million people in Sri Lanka.


New York, New York
Two models display creations at the Warhol Factory X Levis X Damien Hirst Spring 2008 fashion show, held at the famed Gagosian Gallery in Chelsea.


Vernon, California
Jason Ferro is the owner of Bread Denim, a company at the heart of the Los Angeles-based luxury denim industry. Ferro and his competetitors have found a strong market for their vintage-washed 100 percent organic cotton garments, which retail for $200 to $300 a pair.


Zhongshan, China
A worker takes a break after working through the night. The blue dust from the jeans is a heavy irritant to the lungs.


Hong Kong, China
Shoppers examine jeans at a bargain table on the street. Analysts estimate that sales of jeans worldwide topped 15 billion dollars in 2006.


New York, New York
Supermodel Heidi Klum poses in an advertisement for Rosner jeans, a German clothing company.


Los Angeles, California
A worker at All American Wash, a luxury denim-maker, sculpts 3-D whiskers into a pair of designer pants.


Zhongshan, China
A worker uses a sanding machine to distress jeans. The factory also scrubs, sprays, tears and stone-washes their products.


Mount Prospect, Illinois
Shoppers pause next to a display at Costco. Jeans have progressed from their humble origin as a sturdy pant for workers to become a staple of wardrobes worldwide.


Zhongshan, China
A worker carries finished jeans off the factory floor. The Chinese boomtown is home to 5,000 garment makers.


New York, New York and Culver City, California
Models display styles by hip Japanese jeans-maker Evisu.


Los Angeles, California
Jeans hang on a conveyor belt leading to an oven that will bake them to a worn look at All American Wash.


Zhongshan, China
A young child sleeps on a bed of denim while workers sew pocket and button details.

credit: time.com, ilovejeans.cn