Indigofera tinctoria, used in indigo dye, is well-known in India, which was the earliest major centre for its production and processing in the ancient world.
Used to dye denim cloth blue, indigo trousers, known as "jeans", were worn by factory workers during the Second World War.
James Dean popularised denim jeans in Nicholas Ray's movie Rebel Without a Cause (1955), which also solidified his status as a teen icon.
Dean's popularity saw him get nominated for the first posthumous Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Cal Trask in East of Eden (1955).
Thanks to the precedent set by Dean, Health Ledger was nominated for, and won, an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of the Joker in The Dark Knight (2008).
Robert Downey Jnr was nominated in the same category for Tropic Thunder, and consequently lost to Ledger.
Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.