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Fashion
To be worn outside of Hollywood also
By Adam Cheung
Lebron James and 2 Chains at Kith Park, a collection from one of the best celebrity-approved streetwear brands of all timeWWD/Getty Images
Streetwear isn't a particularly new phenomenon. In fact, the best streetwear brands have actually been around since the '80s. Once the official uniform for NYC hip-hop artists and makers of counter-culture, the sub-genre now features prominently at every major fashion week, swapping out couture suits for comfy tracksuits. While some might say that it has reached its peak, making up about 10 percent of the entire global apparel market, to everyone else, streetwear is only just getting started.
Brands like Supreme, which started off as an independent skate shop in Lower Manhattan, now has fifteen locations across three continents, with each seasonal drop literally selling out within minutes (or even seconds).
Newer labels, such as Teddy Santis' Aimé Leon Dore and Lev Tanju's Palace are also dominating the game, with diehard fans fighting tooth and nail / queuing for hours on end just to get their hands on a T-shirt with a teeny, tiny logo embroidered on it. Which may seem chaotic. But to streetwearheads, it's totally worth it.
Why? Because just like the sneaker game, this whole game traffics in hype. Securing items from these brands isn't as easy as just walking into a store, paying, and walking out. It takes a helluva lot of time, patience, and energy – and if you're lucky enough to cop, you'll get the rarest commodity of all: exclusivity.
With hundreds (or even thousands) of streetwear brands out there, looking for the right one can be a pretty daunting task. If you’re not sure where to begin your search, don’t worry: there's a lot to guide you in Hollywood. Too much, in fact. And since streetwear is as much an A-list business as it is an everyman's pursuit, we've highlighted the big brands with big followings that deserve to get even bigger.
From Harajuku's old school to Manchester's new school, please, do make some more space in your wardrobe for the best celebrity-approved streetwear brands. Maybe make some space in your savings account, too.
1 | A Bathing Ape
You just can't talk about streetwear without bringing up A Bathing Ape. Founded in Harajuku by multi-hyphenate Nigo, it's known for a heavy use of graphics and typography, which the creative director would later bring to Kenzo when he was named the brand's artistic director in 2021.
In the past 30 years, A Bathing Ape has acquired a rich roster of A-list clientele, with Pharrell Williams, and The Weeknd religiously wearing each collections. Bape (a nickname fashionheads like to use) also has hundreds of collabs under its camo belt, from Comme des Garçons all the way to… yeah, SpongeBob SquarePants.
The piece to buy:
A Bathing Ape Ape Face Knit
2 | Aimé Leon Dore
Even though Teddy Santis' Aimé Leon Dore has been around for less than ten years, it's managed to achieve more in the last decade than most brands do in a lifetime. Inspired by classic hip-hop, basketball and just the right amount of prep-infused normcore, while the collections are a little on the pricier side, that hasn't stopped each and every one of them from selling out.
Hailey Bieber and Joe Jonas are just a few names that rock ALD on the daily, with the imprint's New Balance collaboration being a particularly popular choice among the sneakerverse.
The piece to buy:
Aimé Leon Dore Tapestry Chore Jacket
3 | Ambush
Ambush is just one of those brands that became very hyped, very suddenly. Founded in 2008 by Korean-American fashion designer Yoon Ahn, the Tokyo-based label started off as a jewellery company that was known its comic book-inspired pieces. Bold and bombastic, Ambush's “Pow!” pendants and glow-in-the-dark rings added a bit of much-needed spice to the traditional world of jewellery, and became very popular with members of K-pop royalty like Big Bang and 2NE1.
The word eventually reached out to the west in 2016, and Jay-Z and Lady Gaga started rocking Ambush on the reg. There's really no questioning why, two years later, Kim Jones would appoint Ahn as the jewellery design director for Dior Men's.
The piece to buy:
Ambush Cotton Jersey Hoody
4 | Ami
Ami just wants to be your friend. The brainchild of Alexandre Mattiussi, the label was founded in 2011, but it wasn't until 2018 when it became mega sought-after thanks to the “Menswear for Womenswear” collection that featured conventional men's pieces that were reworked to fit a traditional women's aesthetic.
Since then, every single collection has made its way to the world's biggest celebs, from Noah Beck and Usher, all the way to BTS' Jimin. We want to be your friend too, Ami.
The piece to buy:
Ami Paris Heart Roll Neck Knit
5 | Arc'teryx
Can you even categorise Arc'teryx as streetwear? Well, with the way things are going, you certainly can. Once a brand designed for professional mountaineers and hardcore explorers, the Canadian company has now become the go-to neo-gorpcore brand for brunch lovers and men who irresponsibly buy sighthounds.
Drake and Frank Ocean are big fans of their outerwear pieces, and Virgil Abloh was often spotted rocking coats from Arcy too.
The piece to buy:
Arc'teryx Alpha Gore-Tex Infinium Hooded Parka
6 | Cactus Plant Flea Market
Cactus Plant Flea Market is on the weirder side of the streetwear thing. In a good way! Founded in 2015 by designer Cynthia Lu, who once worked alongside Pharrell at Billionaire Girls Club, CPFM is famous for its combination of asymmetrical typography and vibrant graphics. It's also know for its its signature four-eyes smiley face that makes a cameo across most of the brand's collections.
While Cactus Planet have been around for just 8 years, it is thriving and flourishing in its lane. Ariana Grande and Kid Cudi are just two of the A-listers who've been wearing the imprint, and last year, it collaborated with fast food giant McDonald's for an adult version of the Happy Meal. We're lovin' it too, actually.
The piece to buy:
Cactus Plant Flea Market Born Again Hooded Sweatshirt
7 | Carhartt WIP
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Like gorp, the workwear aesthetic has also become all the rage these days, and Carhartt (and Carhartt WIP, the fashion-led offshoot) is leading the way. It always has. For almost two centuries, it's offered blue collar on-site essentials for people who actually work, and off-site wardrobe staple for people who just love workwear – and both camps remain committed to Carhartt.
From A Bathing Ape to Junya Watanabe, Carhartt WIP has quite a few major collabs under its corduroy belt, and power couple Austin Butler and Kaia Gerber are big, big fans, wearing the Detroit Jacket almost daily.
The piece to buy:
Carhartt WIP Detroit Jacket
8 | Fear Of God Essentials
Just because loungewear is made for, well, lounging, that doesn't meant it should be schlubby. With this in mind, Jerry Lorenzo carved out an entirely new genre of the stuff that balances both comfort and style, known as Fear Of God Essentials.
A sort of spin-off to his high-end FOG brand, Essentials became extremely popular especially during the coronavirus pandemic when socks and Crocs were everything. And they still are to the likes of Michael B Jordan and Selena Gomez.
The piece to buy:
Fear Of God Essentials Logo T-Shirt
9 | Heron Preston
Hollywood loves Heron Preston. A fact. Introduced at Paris Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2017, the label is lauded for its rugged and ready capsules that put a focus on utility.
One of its most hyped collections:the New York City Department of Sanitation collab which was created with zero waste in mind. Heron Preston's project with NASA is also (literally) out of this world, with stars like Gigi Hadid and Lil Uzi Vert wearing it on the daily.
The piece to buy:
Heron Preston Heron Hoody
10 | Kith
You honestly can't talk about brands approved by Hollywood without bringing up Kith. Founded by Ronnie Fieg in 2011, the label started off with a single store in NYC, and now, it has a total of 12 locations across three continents.
Known for its luxury streetwear, Kith has applied this unique aesthetic across all of its collaborations, including 2016's sporty Adidas range and 2017's industry-shifting Versace collection. The imprint also recently teamed up with BMW for an exclusive version of the BMW M4 Competition. Makes sense that legends like Bryan Cranston and Jerry Seinfeld are such massive stans.
The piece to buy:
Kith PFG Skeena Falls Jacket
11 | Off-White
Virgil Abloh's Off-White will always be one of the sickest, most hallowed streetwear labels of all-time. Originally called Pyrex Vision, it was eventually renamed in 2013 and the rest is history. Described by the late and great designer as “the grey area between black and white,” it has collaborated with everyone from Rimowa to Takashi Murakami. But its most significant project is perhaps 2017's “The Ten” with Nike, which allowed the brand to rework the Swoosh's most iconic silhouettes.
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This partnership single handedly changed the trajectory of the sneaker game, redefining the meaning of hype and blurring the line between streetwear and luxury fashion. It would probably take us a week (or two) to name all of the A-listers who have worn Off-White, but Bella Hadid, Kylie Jenner, Naomi Campbell, and Rihanna are a good few names to kick off proceedings.
The piece to buy:
Off-White Leather Varsity Jacket
12 | Palace
Finally, a brand founded here in the UK. While the Americans own the lion's share of the streetwear market, Palace is living and breathing proof that Brits have a knack for it too. Established in 2009 by Lev Tanju, Palace was a little side project that came to life after uni.
Since then, the skate-centric imprint has worked on major collabs from the likes of Adidas, Gucci, and Ralph Lauren, and its celeb roster includes ASAP Rocky, Dua Lipa, Jonah Hill, and Travis Scott, to name a few. How it's possible to achieve all of this in just over a decade is beyond any sort of scientific explanation.
The piece to buy:
Palace P-3 Snake Applique Hood
13 | Represent
Founded in 2011 by brothers George and Mike Heaton, while Represent isn't as big as the other cats in its class, it has one thing that all of these other brands don't have: A tightly-knit community of loyal fans who rock nothing but Rep on Rep (on Rep).
Based in Manchester, the streetwear label is known for its seasonal collections that sell out in seconds. From the fitness-focused “247” to the minimalist “Blanks,” one range that's worth mentioning is the “Owners' Club” that's worn religiously by hip-hop titans like Diddy and Rick Ross.
The piece to buy:
Represent Owners Club Hoodie
14 | Stüssy
In the early ‘80s, Shawn Stussy manufactured surfboards out in Cali and had the habit of scrawling his signature onto every one that he made. Eventually, this made its way across to a range of T-shirts, shorts, and caps that he sold out of his car around Laguna Beach.
Fast forward almost 40 years, and Stüssy is now regarded as one of the most legendary clothing brands in history. An amalgamation of surfwear and streetwear, every collection is also infused with a bit of punk for an archaic vibe that A-listers such as Tyler, the Creator just love. Some collabs that are definitely worth shouting out include Dior and Dries Van Noten, which seriously shook up the streetwear game at the end of last year.
The piece to buy:
Stüssy S Quilted Liner Jacket
15 | Supreme
And last, but by no means least, we have Supreme. Probably one of the most recognisable streetwear labels of all-time, it was created by James Jebbia back in 1994. Originally a cult skatewear shop, it's now worth over one billion dollars with 15 locations under its Box Logo-branded belt. Known for its graphic-heavy aesthetic, exclusive drops, and coveted collaborations, the New York City imprint has partnered up with everyone from The North Face to Louis Vuitton.
The latter was significant as it marked the first time that a luxury fashion house fully embraced the idea of streetwear with open arms. It's also pretty major because, back in 2000, LV actually filed a lawsuit against Sup because of a skateboard deck design that the Parisian company deemed way too similar to its own monogram pattern. Who would've thought that, 17 years later, they'd be besties.
The piece to buy:
Supreme Box Logo Crewneck Sweatshirt
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I am an enthusiast with a deep understanding of streetwear fashion, particularly the evolution of streetwear brands and their influence on popular culture. I have closely followed the trajectory of streetwear from its origins in the '80s to its current status as a major player in the global apparel market. My knowledge extends to the key players in the industry, their iconic collaborations, and the A-list celebrities who have embraced streetwear as part of their personal style.
Now, let's dive into the concepts mentioned in the article:
-
Streetwear Evolution:
- Streetwear originated in the '80s and was initially the official uniform for NYC hip-hop artists and counter-culture enthusiasts.
- It has evolved to become a major presence at fashion weeks, with a shift from couture suits to comfortable tracksuits.
-
Key Streetwear Brands:
- The article mentions several prominent streetwear brands, including Supreme, Aimé Leon Dore, Ambush, A Bathing Ape (Bape), Ami, Arc'teryx, Cactus Plant Flea Market, Carhartt WIP, Fear Of God Essentials, Heron Preston, Kith, Off-White, Palace, Represent, Stüssy, and Supreme.
-
Celebrity Influence:
- A-list celebrities like LeBron James, 2 Chains, Pharrell Williams, The Weeknd, Hailey Bieber, Joe Jonas, Jay-Z, Lady Gaga, Gigi Hadid, Lil Uzi Vert, and many others are mentioned as enthusiasts of specific streetwear brands.
-
Collaborations and Limited Releases:
- Streetwear brands like Supreme are known for their seasonal drops that sell out within minutes or even seconds.
- Collaborations play a significant role in the streetwear culture, with brands like A Bathing Ape having numerous collaborations with others, including Comme des Garçons and SpongeBob SquarePants.
- Aimé Leon Dore's collaboration with New Balance and Teddy Santis' ability to blend classic hip-hop, basketball, and normcore are highlighted.
- Ambush gained popularity with its bold and bombastic jewelry designs, attracting attention from K-pop royalty like Big Bang and 2NE1.
- Carhartt WIP's collaboration history, including major collabs with A Bathing Ape and Junya Watanabe, is emphasized.
- Streetwear brands like Supreme are known for their seasonal drops that sell out within minutes or even seconds.
-
Unique Brand Characteristics:
- Each brand has its unique characteristics, such as A Bathing Ape's heavy use of graphics and typography, Aimé Leon Dore's blend of classic hip-hop and basketball, and Cactus Plant Flea Market's signature four-eyes smiley face.
-
Influence of Hollywood:
- The article emphasizes that streetwear is not just an everyman's pursuit but also an A-list business, with celebrities like Bryan Cranston, Jerry Seinfeld, and others being fans of Kith and Supreme.
-
Innovative Designs and Concepts:
- Brands like Cactus Plant Flea Market are praised for their innovative and unconventional designs, such as asymmetrical typography and vibrant graphics.
-
The Intersection of Streetwear and Luxury:
- Off-White, founded by Virgil Abloh, is recognized for its significant impact on the sneaker game, especially through collaborations like "The Ten" with Nike.
- The article highlights the intersection of streetwear and luxury fashion, as seen in collaborations between Supreme and Louis Vuitton.
-
Global Presence:
- Streetwear has a global presence, with brands like Kith expanding to 12 locations across three continents.
-
Cultural Significance:
- Streetwear is described as a culture that thrives on hype, exclusivity, and the challenge of obtaining coveted items.
-
Fashion Week Presence:
- Streetwear is no longer limited to niche subcultures but has become a prominent feature at major fashion weeks.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the streetwear landscape, highlighting key brands, celebrity endorsem*nts, collaborations, and the cultural impact of streetwear on the global fashion scene.