The re-establishment of streetwear
The start of streetwear originated in the hip hop scenes in the heart of New York City, influenced not only by the East Coast, but the surf-skate and graffiti culture of the West Coast, as well as Japan’s nightlife scene. This has influenced the style and culture of streetwear today, which continues to evolve gradually.
Courtesy of TV Daily
Courtesy of Kooness
Fast forward today, the Covid pandemic had the world at a standstill including the concept of recycling and produce of micro-trends. Within this time of hibernation birthed a more sustainable, effortless, timeless “Stockholm Style”. This style draws its inspiration from Scandinavian countries which have a monochromatic minimalist look.
With this kind of influence, designers have made their main goal to produce clothing that is not only minimalist appearance wise, but takes less from the planet. With a concept like this quickly rising in the fashion industry, it helps with the development of the environment, hence the rise of thrift culture. Sustainable, cheap, and easy to find this “minimalist” look is the direction streetwear is leaning towards. Designers such as Ye and Rhuigi have situated their brands' clothing to fit the “new” streetwear that everyone is leaning towards the incorporation of monochromatic colors, as well as materials such as cupro. Cupro is made from cotton waste, which makes it natural but is smoother than cotton and better quality ensures that clothes last longer to be bought and resold. This material is considered to be vegan silk. It is hypoallergenic, anti-static, stretch-resistant, incredibly durable, and because it is thermoregulating it dries quickly.
But the real questions designers ask now when making their clothes, is how can they be sustainable? Environmentally friendly? And fashionable? Leaning more towards materials that are effective for both the environment and buyer. People are more likely to buy clothes that are environmentally friendly, rather than look good. A trend that may die down in streetwear or continue to grow. Until then sustainability is quickly becoming a fast growing movement in the fashion industry which will leave no more room for the growth of fast fashion. In the hopes of going green, people will more likely lean towards streetwear for its support of sustainability which promises great growth for the industry.