By KOKETSO RITCHIE
?What the hell is Streetwear, Koketso, and where did it come from?
Lemme tell you something… I also didn’t know so much so I did a micro bit of digging. Here’s the about on Streetwear.
Hey fashionistas,
Welcome to the about section on Streetwear. So listen up boys and girls, for I’ve got just the biography for you.
Streetwear
Streetwear’s a style popularised through Hip-Hop, skateboarding and social media. A style of fashion of US black and Hispanic origin, featuring rap with an electronic backing. It tends to be casual, very casual. Baggy t-shirts and hoodies, lots of bold graphics and logos.
“It represents the streets. It represents having fun. It represents a specific energy, making music and fashion, which is remixing words, culture, brands and coming up with our own language.” ~ Heron Preston
Heron Preston is a streetwear designer. He was first got attention for making a limited edition knock-off of $520.00 Rottweiler printed t-shirt by Givenchy. Preston’s edition became a cult favourite.
Preston wanted to make a statement by taking something that was supa Pop Culture and “flipping it on it’s head” and giving people what they were never supposed to have. He used instagram as his personal online boutique, during those times. He would post a photo and wait for people so DM him to by his product.
The fashion industry saw a business opportunity, as a result, it brought the street in.
“We now live in a world where billionaires sport hoodies and fortune 500 executives dress like rap stars” ~ Trevor Noah
In 2018, the streetwear company Supreme took home one of fashion’s top honours,CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year Award. And in 2019, they collaborated with, french designer, Jean Paul Gaultier. Virgil Abloh was named artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear ready wear line, making him the first person of African descent to lead the brand’s menswear line, as well as one of the few black designers at the helm of a major French fashion house.
And Preston showed of his 2019 collection, for the first time in street history, in France. Preston’s brand has sold at fancy stores like 5th Avenue, with a hoodie going for more than $500.00.
Virgil Abloh was named artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear ready wear line, making him the first person of African descent to lead the brand’s menswear line, as well as one of the few black designers at the helm of a major French fashion house – streetwears arrives.
“Streetwear is the zenith of comfy, casual, clothes that makes it more interesting and valuable in the eyes of the wearer.” ~ Lynn Yaeger
Lynn Yaeger has been in the fashion industry since the 1980s. First on the Village Voice and then on Vogue.
Yaeger says that streetwear might not be for her but she likes the affect it has and it levels the fashion playing fields a little. Not only levelling playing fields but also opening doors especially for African Americans. Fashion has increased its focus on diversity which is a reflection of a more inclusive society.
“Diversity is sort of a fashion equivalent of people demanding their rights, to be seen, to be heard” ~ Lynn Yaeger
In summary, streetwear is casual clothing of a style worn especially by members of various urban youth subcultures.
Leave your Comments in the Comment Section down below.
If you liked this blog, give it a like, bookmark my blog, subscribe to be added on an email list and see more of what I post, and share it with some stylish friends.
And that is everything.
Byee ; )
