Its a debate that has been rearing its head for the best part of the last decade. The current state of Streetwear!
I've added as much fuel to this fire as anyone. Old enough to have caught the end of the glory days and young enough to still be able to see its innerworkings first hand (thanks to BNTL amongst other platforms).
I read a really interesting piece from Steven Vogel over at Black Lodges today and it prompted a reply from me. My comment is 'awaiting moderation' so I hope it'll see light of day but what i want to say is Streetwear was born from the youth, those youth grew up and expected the next generation to keep things the same. But what happens when you throw in a fuckeries like the internet. That came and changed the game completely, gave power to the powerless and is morphing in a direction that the pioneers cant control.
What I say is leave streetwear in the hands of the youth, they are bored of being exploited. Let them own it, ruin it or make it something special. We all have our own theories of what it needs to make it great again but sometimes things just fall apart.
We all need to let go of the past and when we do the good times will hopefully flow again.
But what do I know. Im just another voice on a blog.
Read the article HERE.
3 comments:
approved, I'm just a slow poke at moderation
streetwear is not just for the youth.
Streetwear is predominately a force for/by the youth, but it is not just a youth thing.
-Agreed that anyone over 35 rocking a garish mishka tee causes raised eyebrows...but really streetwear is (and should) always be in the hands of either talented visionaries or fashion revolutionaries. Regardless of age.
Most influential streetwear brands are claimed to be started by the 'youth' but in reality are then run (or kept alive) by those in their thirties (generally, and from experiance). Are buyers for shops, distributors, label CEO's mostly under 25? i would argue no.
In a brief worldwide look at brands, from PAM to Supreme, Bape to Carhartt...these are companies that are run by elders (when compared to 'the youth', or over 25). Youth buy 'em, youth often start 'em, but age, maturity & wisdom push sh*t on....
dont think im bashing your point, im jus' sayin'...i dont care if your sixteen or sixty, a fly made tee is a fly made tee...and streetwear, (and its future) is only ever in the hands of talented individuals (like blacklodges post - often a scene which is a organic lightning in a bottle moment).
London could be interesting, with our infatuation with apeing LA/NY brands thankfully gone(culprits - trapstar, rogue states, aint, who are all evolving into their own things) and now are focusing on their british/london heavy roots, but this time with an edge and maturity to appeal globally...and more importantly, the ability to be worn for a long time...brands like palace, t-shirt party, ranks, alakazam!,goodhood, african apparel...
the future is only what we make it. If we say its dead, it will be...but only because we let it.
Anything destroyed (such as values) can be rebuilt. Its a question of will.
It aint over till the fat lady sings, and my mums still alive.
Peace
^ decent point but what's 'rogue states'?
rogue status is based in la and is still garish, bold and as american as ever.
standardly the youth are the driving force - old white men behind companies is the same in skateboarding, music and everything though - they might be out buying the product too (and be stupid and rich enough to afford it now) but its a relatively young mans game.
still, clothes are clothes and everybody is wearing them.
peace.
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