Streetwear: History and Key Facts

Streetwear is a style of casual clothing that gained global popularity in the 1990s. Emerging from the fusion of African-American and Latino hip-hop fashion in New York with elements of Californian surf culture, it evolved to incorporate elements of sportswear, punk, skateboarding, 1980s nostalgia, and Japanese street fashion. Streetwear is seen as an aspect of African American culture and fashion, and is associated with African American musical traditions, particularly RnB and hip-hop.

Streetwear is commonly linked to exclusivity, as many brands limit production through artificial scarcity to drive demand. This has led to practices such as limited edition releases and resale markets. In the 21st century, streetwear intersected with haute couture, as luxury fashion houses adopted streetwear influences, while streetwear brands incorporated aspects of high fashion including runway presentation, designer collaborations, and premium branding.

Source and attribution

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