Revolutionary Impact of Streetstyle on the Fashion Industry. | Guest Post

Over the last several decades, street style has revolutionized the fashion industry by setting value to individualized style.

Historically, street style clothing was popular amongst skateboarders and surfers in Log Angeles. According to an interview with Matt Nation conducted by whowhatwear subcultural movements of hip-hop and skateboarding has been evolving into “streetwear” since 1970. Mostly associated with youth culture, these are the trendsetters who chose to wear what they thought was “fashion” instead of being influenced by notorious, expensive labels off the runway. 

Although today street style is a common term, with many searches on Pinterest and Instagram, it’s important to take the time to understand the revolutionary impact it created for the fashion industry. 

Let’s break the impact down into simple terms. Major fashion labels such a Gucci, Prada, Versace used to design, conceptualize, and produce fashion trends. Then those fashion trends would be sent down the runway in the form of a garment and accessories.  Eventually being showcased at exclusive fashion events in Milan, Paris, New York etc… Getting into those fashion shows was next to impossible, and most attending were celebrities, major retailers, and the rich elite. Most people would then watch the fashion show on tv. The retailers would stock those trends in cheaper versions for mass consumption. This was a top-down fashion influence. 

Street style is a bottom-up influence. Youth started wearing t-shirts and baggy jeans influencing their peers, who influenced their families and so on, until the popular trend reached celebrities. Today, many celebrities choose ath-leisure clothing. High-end fashion labels collaborate with hip-hop artists when producing and advertising their line-up. Celebrities are seen wearing the casual street style spin-offs on the streets and at public events.

 

Democratisation of fashion has transpired the once label-reigning industry to individualized sense of style. 

 

Currently, the interaction between fashion labels and consumers is more than ever. It’s a constant conversation for what is wanted, valued, and disliked by the shopper. Consumers are no longer looking to major fashion labels for trends. Instead, they look for fashion that is unique, personalized and expresses their individual style. This style revolution is called democratisation.

Introduction of social media has taken street style to the next level of popularity. Advertising apparel trends is no longer exclusive to professional models. Common fashion lovers, who are not professional models, and who do not fit the standard mold for a model, have become influencers of fashion. Instagram is one of the key platforms to market clothing brands. Collaboration between everyday fashionistas and major brands is one of the main marketing avenues for brands to increase their customer reach.

Today, the meekest fashion lover can have influence over trends and promote products from the comfort of their own home. Fashion is diversity, and individually, each of us has an opportunity to contribute to the development of the fashion industry.  

This post was written by Teddi Right from residentfashion.com. I really hope you enjoyed the read and discovering a new Blogger in today’s post; you can find Teddi over @ResidentFashion and on her website.