PROTOTYPE: FIRST ATTEMPT – VISUAL CULTURE STUDIO

— Integrative Studio 2, Uncategorized —

 

TOPIC: The relationship between Streetwear and High Fashion and how it effects both sides of the spectrum. 

THESIS: Though what is identified as “The Streets” has usually been ignored by most of the world, through many art forms it also inspires. The most recent collaborations non-exclusive to urban-inspired streetwear and culturally-infused consumables, make a mockery of an actual culture, transforming the true lives of many families into mere luxury items that they can’t even afford. This is disrespectful to the actual culture and prominent across many of this generation’s interests. Using the method of extensive research and field work, this essay will explore the collaboration between “The Streets,” and the Runway, and how it effects each side of this controversial and explosive trendy fashion-faux-pas.

EXPLANATION: As my first attempt to prototype my idea, I drew the images you currently see being passed around. My initial plan was to take classic high-fashion designers ideas and transform them by pairing them with classic streetwear silhouettes; things you don’t commonly see on the runway. I can see this as being an extremely successful project, as I have already found a great amount of interest in the topic. My next step is to finalize these designs, and create them in abundance, so I can then begin to actual put together the clothing. I will also prototype the clothes with real-cloth models, just not in the exact prints I’d make the final in, and bring those in to display to you all as well. 

BRIEF:

 

RESEARCH: Since Chanel is such a well-known Fashion Designer and has influenced even big name designers of today (See: Jeremy Scott x MOSCHINO) I decided to make my initial prototype after their 90s lines. I took the prints and knitted/luxurious look and made it into a crop hoodie and a pair of trousers, two staples in today’s streetwear roster. I made this into a winter look, also pairing along matching cropped bubble pullover (with hood) and bubble pants – some urban-inspired trends you’ll most likely see amongst the streets of Brooklyn. The next look was for Summer, inspired by the perforated leather Chanel models dawned in the mid-to-late 90s. I created a stitched-leather overall, with a mesh bodysuit under. Both my designs feature Chuck Taylor Converse, another streetwear staple and just one of my favorite shoes, period. The first design features a shoulder bag in a classic Chanel purse silhouette and the second design features a backpack in Chanel-inspired prints with a skateboard deck to match. I am extremely happy with both of these designs. 

BRIDGE PROJECT #3: FASHION INFOGRAPHICS vs. “THE STREETS”

— Integrative Studio 2, Year 1 —

 

In America, about 45 Million people currently live below the poverty line. This is approximately 14.5% of Americans.

According to the 2014 Census, 27% of all African-American families are impoverished.

The location in which these Black families live in and the experiences they face on a daily basis are known as “The Streets.”

 

 

Streetwear, also known as Street Fashion, is a noun defined as casual clothing of a style worn especially by members of various urban youth subcultures, while the word Urban is an adjective defined as in, relating to, or characteristic of a city or town, or denoting or relating to popular dance music of black origin. 

 

Truthfully, most would say it denotes or relates to popular culture of black origin (especially those of black background). As of late, most urban interests have become trends that have exponentially increased in the interests of other communities and cultures. While some may argue that
this is cultural appropriation, others would insist it is purely inspiration and admiration.

 

SEMINAR THESIS:

Though what is identified as “The Streets” has usually been ignored by most of the world, through many art forms it also inspires. The most recent collaborations non-exclusive to urban-inspired streetwear and culturally-infused consumables, make a mockery of an actual culture, transforming the true lives of many families into mere luxury items that they can’t even afford. This is disrespectful to the actual culture and prominent across many of this generation’s interests. Using the method of extensive research and field work, this essay will explore the collaboration between “The Streets,” and the Runway, and how it effects each side of this controversial and explosive trendy fashion-faux-pas. 

 

PROJECT GOAL: To express the untold story of the other side of the Runway; inform fashion consumers on the origins of current fashion trends in today’s society and how the populace of the areas where the trends originated live.

From the data I have researched, I have selected information such as the income of the households in urban communities in comparison to the income of the people employed by the companies that take inspiration from these communities to aid me in proving my thesis. I have also looked at the price points of different luxury retail items from collections created by these brands in relation to the aforementioned incomes, which will depict just how expensive these clothes are. Aside from that, I also draw upon multiple streetwear graphs and information to help you all comprehend my project.

 

INSPIRATION: I took inspiration directly from the SUPREME site for this infographic; it is minimalistic and simple, just as the brand’s design. It features six of the rarest box logos, all red, with the bottom one being the most diverse and representing the 1 out of the 6 “Hypebeasts” that actually knows the origin of the brand.

 

PRIMARY SKETCHES:

Initially, I
wanted to make very informational graphic images but it became too hard to get the images in the graphs to actually make sense in pertinence to the topic of my Seminar project and Studio project. Ultimately, I settled on creating a demographic that wouldn’t be too hard for the viewer to swallow but also wasn’t saying too little.

 

RESEARCH: I heavily researched the brand, discovering the upbringings of SUPREME all the way to the most recent archived material. SUPREME, though minimal, is rich in culture and the love for skating. The brand, to this day, finds itself blowing up amongst skaters and walking pedestrians alike – it’s gained a lot of traction especially with the most recent Louis Vuitton collaboration. Most saw this as ironic, seeing the fact that the designer was actually legally involved with the skate brand for the unsolicited usage of their classic tartan print.

SOURCES:

  1. http://blackdemographics.com/households/poverty/
  2. http://www.complex.com/style/2013/04/the-30-best-fashion-collabarations-of-all-time/y-3
  3. https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Louis-Vuitton-North-America-Salaries-E14447.htm
  4. http://www.highsnobiety.com/2015/11/03/best-supreme-box-logo-t-shirts/
  5. http://www.highsnobiety.com/2015/11/03/best-supreme-box-logo-t-shirts/
  6. http://www.highsnobiety.com/2016/03/15/supreme-clothing-collaborations/
  7. http://www.complex.com/style/2015/10/best-american-streetwear-brands-right-now/
  8. https://www.census.gov/prod/1/statbrief/sb93_2.pdf

(ELP is not letting me upload a picture of the infographic, will email it to you)

 

BRIDGE PROJECT 2 PROPOSAL – VISUAL CULTURE

— Integrative Studio 2 —

 

STREET WEAR AND HIGH FASHION: AT HOME AND ON THE STREETS

I wanted to make a informational graphic surrounding the idea of street fashion in relation to high fashion. Since street and high fashion have been crossing their borders and meshing into each other a lot lately, I feel this graph could not come at a more necessary time. What I decided to focus in on is the new Supreme x Louis Vuitton Collaboration, and how each company has been doing individually before the collab commenced. Supreme’s selling rates have been on a steady growth path since it’s creation in 1994. The Lafayette location was actually the first one and it’s creator, James Jebbia, has struck gold with it and receives crazy cash flow from it ever since. The creator of Louis Vuitton, Louis Vuitton, started as a leather goods maker, working under the Empress Eugenie de Montijo, wife of Napoleon III. Once Vuitton died, his son Georges took over the company and ultimately the owner became LVMH, a larger company with precedence over Louis Vuitton, Moet, Hennessy and more. Both Brands have pretty huge followings and once collaborated, the numbers only grew in size for their sales and profits. That is why I have decided to make my informational graphic about these two brands and their collaboration, and my research paper on street wear and high fashion as a whole; how they combat and compliment each other.