hip hop fashion Archives - New Hip Hop News

Hip Hop’s Fashion Icons: A Stylistic Journey Through Generations

August 24, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Hip Hop and fashion have stood side by side since the beginning of the music genre. Since its inception, the brew of creativity and individualized self-expression has long defined the culture. Having emerged from New York in the early 1970s, Hip Hop was born out of a confluence of Black American, Latinx, and Jamaican cultures. For many, at the time of its founding, it was either an escape or a way to voice the many socio-economic and political realities of the Black man. Naturally, fashion quickly became an important part of Hip Hop’s legacy.

From its genesis, up until contemporary times, Hip Hop has shaped trends in the musical and fashion worlds. Pointing out some of the trailblazers and iconic figures that dared to dissent from the status quo; let’s take a journey through the evolution of Hip Hop and fashion.

1970s

hip hop fashion — Hip-hop fashion relating to graffiti art, New York, New York, June 28, 1975. (Photo by Allan Tannenbaum/Getty Images)

The marriage between Hip Hop and fashion existed long before the genre was created and pushed into the mainstream. The style of the Bronx greatly developed the Hip Hop scene during the 70’s. MCs and DJs were the exemplars of the time and the ones whose fashion choices were emulated. The founding DJs, DJ Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash, and their succeeding counterparts were the fashion icons during these times. As a result, baggy clothes, bomber jackets, and individualized hairstyles like Afros and cornrows reigned supreme. Sportswear brands like Adidas, Pro-Keds, Puma, Converse, and Kangol also took the top spot for fashion picks.

1980s

From the early to mid-80s, Run-D.M.C and LL Cool J stood as the pacesetters musically and stylistically. Their brands reinforced the staple Hip Hop look of sportswear, bucket hats, and large chain accessories. During their run, the female Hip Hop trio, Salt-N-Pepa also broadened the range by wearing bold and colorful outfits paired with asymmetrical hairstyles and statement accessories. The style of the 80’s moved ahead when Harlem’s Dapper Dan, known as the “fashion outlaw,” merged high fashion luxury and Hip Hop streetwear. The Shirt Kings were also a prominent brand in the Hip Hop scene at the time. Some of the biggest rap artists of the ‘80s wore their designs, and they are regarded as one of the originators of streetwear style.

1990s

As the 1990s rolled in, a new wave of fashion trends began to emerge. Names like Tupac, Notorious B.I.G., NWA, and more took the stage. The hi-top fade haircut, oversized jerseys and baseball caps were the most notable features of the Kid ‘N’ Play duo. The Fresh Prince, Will Smith, further stamped these looks. Tupac Shakur’s renegade style was also a new addition to the fashion scene.

Representing the West Coast, he sported bandanas, Timberlands and many other statement fashion items. The East Coast star, Notorious B.I.G., had undergone different eras of fashion styling. Reinforcing the traditional baggy aesthetic at the start of his career, the rapper switched up the game with a Mafioso look, wearing tailored suits and gold canes. Fashion brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren became associated with Hip Hop during the 90s. Stars like Snoop Dogg famously donned their designs.

Furthermore, Some other influential designers of this era include streetwear pioneer Karl Kani and April Walker, CEO of Walker Wears. Daymond John, CEO of FUBU, one of the most iconic clothing brands in Hip Hop history is also responsible for many emulated fashion looks.

The Women Of The 90s

Aaliyah quickly rose to prominence, not just for her music, but with her fashion-forward style. Emerging as a stylist’s darling, she found favor with several notable fashion brands, particularly Tommy Hilfiger. Aaliyah stood out among a crop of female R&B stars, proudly donning tomboyish clothing. With baggy pants, crop tops, and sportswear, she served to influence several artists after her

Missy Elliot was another trendsetter not just in her futuristic Hip Hop sound, but in her fashion choices. Her fusion of baggy fashion and an avant-garde, innovative style cemented her as an eclectic style-bender. One of the blueprints for the female hip-hop style today was female rapper, Lil’ Kim. The style icon was popularly known for her colorful lyrics and wigs, provocative costumes and glamorous accessories. Renowned stylist and fashion designer Misa Hylton played a key role in shaping the visual aesthetics of the iconic rapper.

Furthermore, Lil Kim embodied the sexy, high-fashion style that has become synonymous with today’s women in rap. With her groundbreaking sophomore album, Notorious K.I.M., she solidified herself as a fashion icon. Donning major names like Versace, she showed off an allure that made top brands hungry to showcase their outfits on female rappers.

The New Millennium (The 2000s)

Above all, Hip Hop and fashion had blended to create so many statement styles synonymous to the culture. Nonetheless, the new millennium brought a new epoch of modern hip-hop fashion. Artists like Jay-Z and P. Diddy shifted the course of Hip Hop fashion by taking on a more opulent style. They traded in their initial baggy look for fur coats, bigger diamond jewelry and tailored suits; representing much of what they rapped about. The iconic group, The Diplomats, also known as Dipset, contributed to the Hip Hop style of their time. Oversized jerseys, bandanas, and designer brands like Gucci and Versace characterized their style. Their fashion sense became correspondent with the Harlem scene from the late 90s to the early 2000s.

In addition to these styles, skatewear fashion was popularized in the Hip Hop scene by artists like Pharrell Williams, N.E.R.D, and the Neptunes. Also, names like Kanye West and the late, great Virgil Abloh have further pushed the boundaries of what Hip Hop style can embody.

Now more than ever, Hip Hop has become synonymous with high fashion. With his Yeezy brand, Kanye West has managed to redefine streetwear, combining minimalism and high fashion. Williams, on the other hand, has continued to blur the lines and experiment with the genre and its fashion. Pharrell’s love for exploring has generated a sophisticated and edgy feel which now symbolizes the core of his brand. The next surge of artists brought on newer approaches to fashion reflecting the style of the times. The revival of skatewear, skinny jeans and urban street style became more common in the late 2000s, lasting until the present day. Today’s artists like Reese LaFlare have synchronized streetwear and music.

More recently, Hip Hop style is now a conflation of high fashion, streetwear and personalized style. The boundaries are continually being pushed even further. The average Joe would explain this style reminiscent of 80s-90s fashion. Now it has completely shifted to a meld of old and the new— with more of the new.

[via]

The post Hip Hop’s Fashion Icons: A Stylistic Journey Through Generations appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

From Beats to Threads: Unraveling How Hip-Hop Wove Its Stylish Influence into Fashion’s Fabric

August 11, 2023 by newhiphopnews

The influence of hip-hop on fashion is an undeniable cultural phenomenon that has transcended time and boundaries. Emerging from the streets of the Bronx in the 1970s, hip-hop revolutionized music and redefined how people express themselves through clothing.

Characterized by its unique blend of music, dance, and visual artistry, hip-hop culture quickly began to shape a distinctive fashion sensibility. Initially, it was about expressing identity and defiance against societal norms. Baggy jeans, oversized T-shirts, and sneakers became staples of the hip-hop wardrobe, reflecting its followers’ streetwise attitude and individuality.

As hip-hop gained mainstream popularity in the 1980s and 1990s, its fashion influence grew exponentially. Icons like Run-D.M.C. popularized Adidas sneakers and tracksuits, while artists like LL Cool J introduced the world to the Kangol bucket hat trend. These artists influenced the clothing items and how they were worn – backward caps and untied shoelaces became deliberate fashion choices that communicated a rebellious spirit.

The late 1990s and early 2000s saw hip-hop’s influence expand further, with artists like Missy Elliott and Diddy setting trends with flashy, luxury-oriented styles. This era brought forth velour tracksuits, bling-bling jewelry, and designer brands prominently featured in music videos and red-carpet appearances.
Hip-hop’s fashion influence is not limited to clothing; it has also significantly promoted sneaker culture. The love for sneakers, particularly high-end brands like Nike and Jordan, became intertwined with hip-hop’s ethos of self-expression and authenticity. Sneakers evolved from athletic footwear to coveted fashion statements, often selling out within minutes of release.

In recent years, hip-hop’s impact on fashion has continued to evolve. Streetwear, a style rooted in urban culture and heavily influenced by hip-hop, has become a global fashion phenomenon. High-end designers collaborate with hip-hop artists, and streetwear brands have gained a place in luxury fashion.

In conclusion, hip-hop’s influence on fashion is a testament to its cultural and social impact. It started as a means of self-expression for marginalized communities and grew into a worldwide phenomenon that has transformed how we dress and perceive style. From baggy jeans and sneakers to high-end streetwear, hip-hop’s fashion journey embodies the spirit of breaking boundaries and celebrating individuality.

The post From Beats to Threads: Unraveling How Hip-Hop Wove Its Stylish Influence into Fashion’s Fabric first appeared on The Source.

The post From Beats to Threads: Unraveling How Hip-Hop Wove Its Stylish Influence into Fashion’s Fabric appeared first on The Source.

Video Music Box & UHHM Celebrate 50 Years Of Hip Hop Fashion With ‘The Drip’

February 25, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Friday night, the Universal Hip Hop Museum and Video Music Box brought together prominent Hip Hop heads to celebrate 50 years of Hip Hop fashion.

Everyone from rapper Fat Joe, Vinnie of Naughty By Nature to Stylist Misa Hylton sat front row watching fashions from the designers that dressed our favorite rap stars.

The Universal Hip Hop Museum–which opens in 2024–partnered up with the Video Music Box and the Mayor’s Office of the City of New York to kick-off the 50th Anniversary celebration of Hip Hop culture with “The Drip: 50 Years of Hip Hop Fashion,” a live runway show held at The Venue at the Hard Rock Hotel Times Square.

Nostagic videos played on the gian screen as fashion design legends Karl Kani, April Walker, FUBU and Dapper Dan revealed clothing from their newest collections.

The show also included emerging designers Malik Dupri, Haus of Swag, Riche Threads and Pepper Jacques. Mayor Eric Adams was in the building and paid homage to the groundbreaking designers, The Shirt Kings, who started in the early 80s. The fashion show also introduced I.C.Y. Inspire Creative Youth and their mission to create elevation platforms for inner city youth around the world.

DJ Ralph McDaniels, creator of Hip Hop’s longest running broadcast variety show, Video Music Box and the Video Music Box Collection has been documenting Hip Hop culture for the past 40 years. “The Drip” included footage from a decade of original “Phat Fashion” runway shows for the audience of the next generation of Hip Hop’s designer’s, influencers, and fashionistas.

Hip Hop musical guest Special Ed surprised the crowd with the Lo-Life’s and a special performance of his classics.

“For the past 50 years, Hip Hop fashion designers have carved their own lane in the fashion industry as creative entrepreneurs. Today, you can recognize Hip Hop style no matter where you see it globally,” said Universal Hip Hop Museum Executive Director Rocky Bucano.

“The Drip” is inspired by the groundbreaking Phat Fashion Show produced by Ralph McDaniels and Video Music Box. “Hip Hop’s influence on fashion is undeniable. And young Black and Brown designers and models made their own lane when the traditional fashion industry excluded them. So today, we celebrate those original trendsetters and the future leaders of Hip Hop fashion,” said Executive Producer Ralph McDaniels.
Watch the recap below.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Courtney Brown (@thinkbiggie)

The post Video Music Box & UHHM Celebrate 50 Years Of Hip Hop Fashion With ‘The Drip’ appeared first on The Source.