Streetwear? What is it?
The term “streetwear” is a style that comes from the skate culture behind many cities such as New York, L.A., and Japan. Coming from the streets, there was a lot of youth influence involved in making the style. Tons of graphics can be seen on tee’s and hoodies, baggy pants to accompany it and accessories to always add something on top. Over the years, it has changed the fashion game and guided the younger generation in our world through clothes.
How Japan Revolutionized It:
Japan as a whole, especially its youth, have played a much important and bigger role in shaping to what streetwear culture is today. There were tons of newly up and coming brands such as “BAPE” created by Nigo and “Comme Des Garçon” that brought a new sense into the streetwear culture in Japan. It mixed ther western style and aesthetics with the Japanese fabrics and combined them. Japan’s famous cities, mostly Harajuku and Shinjuku, played a huge part as it gave everyone a spot to partake in the streetwear wave and get a couple pieces themselves to get started. Japan will always be well known in the streetwear game all around the world for its huge influence and brands.
Cross Continent: New York City and L.A:
Moving to the other side of the world, New York City and L.A have both been vital in the development and popularization of streetwear each to their own. In L.A, streetwear came from the popular scene of skateboarding with brands like “Stüssy” still being shown today. Being a big landmark on the West Coast of the U.S, it was evitable to be a huge land point for fashion and streetwear enthusiasts. It’s east coast counterpart, New York City brought a different part to streetwear with its huge hip-hop scene and culture. Huge brands like “Supreme” perfectly encapsulated what NYC was, an electric and vibrant city, and later led the streetwear wave for many years to come.
Influence Today?
In today’s world and culture, streetwear’s influence can be seen everywhere and a force to be reckoned with in fashion. Going back to the roots where it started, L.A, New York, and Tokyo, its culture has changed markets everywhere going into high and fast fashion. Taking aspects of comfortability, style, and having a community, it has brought many people together over the many years and will forever give them a place no matter age and background.
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Sources:
“The Rise of Streetwear Culture: Exploring Its Origins and Influence On.” Modern Artchitect, 14 Sept. 2023, modernartchitect.com/blogs/news/the-rise-of-streetwear-culture-exploring-its-origins-and-influence-on-fashion.
“INSIDE TOKYO’S ARCHIVE FASHION VAULT: MEET the ARCHIVE STORE.” Sabukaru, https://sabukaru.online/articles/inside-tokyos-archive-fashion-vault
“How Streetwear Restyled the World.” Therake.com, therake.com/stories/how-streetwear-restyled-the-world.
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