Black people especially Black celebrities have always influenced and inspired street fashion so Hip Hop just took it to another level because of the emergence of a generation of Black wealth and with it--privilege.
And that’s the real story here. As Hip Hop grew in affluence and money, the Hip Hop/ Rap fashion culture originated from Urban Black America and began to dominate the youths’ wardrobe. Mirroring The Rap/Hip Hop style the youth who listened to and grew up on the music increased the demand and fashion labels strictly designing for the Hip Hop/Rap generations were popping up and making money. It was established as a real fashion category when designers like Karl Lagerfeld incorporated the influence at the House of Chanel.
So here we are in 2023 and Hip Hop Fashion is recognized worldwide and can be considered the first in a long time that a culture emerged to shake up and create a whole new concept and approach to how people dressed. This is the generation that made it cool to wear athletic/sportswear, and athletic shoes to awards shows, onstage, and with tuxes.
The Hip Hop Fashion design opportunity created itself out of the demand. As the celebrities’ ‘bank’, the rappers, and producers knew the next step was to create their own fashion designs and fashion houses . . . they had the money and influence to be taken seriously and so it is that they did two things. They leaned towards top-of-the-line luxury brands and took to the factories to design create and manufacture their own.
Next, the movement took on a preppy look in the sporting items from brands like Polo, Timberland, and Tommy Hilfiger that spoke to the exclusivity and aspirational appeal of Hilfiger. The brand's immense popularity among the hip-hop subculture community eventually led to its global expansion, and yet controversy arose around Hilfiger’s racist comments about Blacks.
REBOUND
Hilfiger courted the new hip hop market: Black models featured prominently in the company's advertising campaigns, and rappers like Puffy and Coolio walked during its runways shows. As of late, Tommy Hilfiger launched People's Place, a program designed to amplify the brand’s efforts and dedication to increasing opportunities in fashion for underrepresented communities.
The authentic creative expression that emerged from the African American culture was magical. But it was the high fashion designs in the late 1980s, Isaac Mizrahi, inspired by his elevator operator who wore a heavy gold chain, showed a collection deeply influenced by hip hop fashion." Womenswear Daily called the look "homeboy chic."
Late 1980s to early 1990s
The children of the ’50s and ’60s were now adults, educated and grounded in Black nationalism which greatly influenced rap during the late 1980s, as reflected in the fashions and hairstyles that drew inspiration from the counter-culture African-centered Black revolutionaries of the ’70s characterized by kente and other African traditional influences. During this phase, Kufis worn by brothers and crowns worn by sisters were popularized by artists such as Queen Latifah, KRS-One, to Public Enemy. Braids, twists, locs, and afros were rebirthed. In 1984, Nike collaborated with Michael Jordan to create the well-known Air Jordans. Even though the price point ranged from US$100 it did not stop people from standing in line up for hours just to get their hands on a pair of Jordans. To date, Air Jordans still sell out globally within minutes of the release date. Expressions to describe fashion like the East Coast, "ghetto fabulous" fashion (a term coined by Sean Combs) was gaining props.
Black Designers
Karl Kani was another influential designer who emerged and has been called "The godfather of hip-hop clothes," and paved the way for other hip hop fashion brands. He spotted an area in the market that had been ignored and paved the way for other hip hop fashion brands. He was the fashion choice of rap superstar Tupac Shakur, who in 1994 did a campaign for the fashion label and did not charge for his time.
Other brands, such as Nike, Jordan, FUBU, Southpole, Reebok, Pro-Keds, Adidas, Eckō Unltd., Mecca USA, Lugz, Boss Jeans by IG Design, emerged to capitalize on the market for urban streetwear. The "hip-pop" era also saw the split between male and female hip-hop fashion, which had previously been more or less similar.
Distinctively, in the 1990s through 2010, many hip-hop artists and executives started their own fashion labels and clothing lines. Notable examples include Wu-Tang Clan (Wu-Wear), Pharrell (Billionaire Boys Club/Ice Cream), Nelly (Vokal and Apple Bottom Jeans), Russell Simmons (Phat Farm), Kimora Lee Simmons (Baby Phat), Diddy (Sean John and Enyce), T.I. (AKOO), Damon Dash and Jay-Z (Rocawear), 50 Cent (G-Unit Clothing), 2Pac (Makaveli Branded), OutKast (OutKast Clothing), Lil Wayne (Trukfit), and Kanye West (Yeezy) all of which are Black-owned clothing labels that emerged out of the Hip Hop/Rap genre and changed the fashion world forever.
Finally In the Driver's Seat
In the 1990s and beyond, many hip hop artists and executives started their own fashion labels and clothing lines. Notable examples include Wu-Tang Clan (Wu-Wear), Pharrell (Billionaire Boys Club/Ice Cream), Nelly (Vokaland Apple Bottom Jeans), Russell Simmons (Phat Farm), Kimora Lee Simmons (Baby Phat), Diddy (Sean John and Enyce), T.I. (AKOO), Dash and Jay-Z (Rocawear), 50 Cent(G-Unit Clothing), Eminem (Shady Limited), 2Pac (Makaveli Branded), OutKast (OutKast Clothing), Lil Wayne (Trukfit), and Kanye West (Yeezy) all of which are Black-owned clothing labels that emerged out of the Hip Hop/Rap evolvement and changed the fashion world forever.
Influence.
Musicians have always been style setters and so they can be considered the original influencers, especially in the modern social media era. Legendary rapper, Tupac, was not only known for his profound lyrics but also his timeless style. He was without question an influencer who set trends during that period. His signature made bandanas into an iconic headwear accessory. Some had it like that more than others, but Tupac did it effortlessly.
