Introduction:

When I write about richness, I’m not just talking currency. Rather the ever-evolving pioneering and progressive fashion statement that is the urban-wear and style.

Influenced by hip-hop, dance and culture, the youth-oriented urban fashion has remained a staple not just in our wardrobes but also across the globe and more importantly in our identity and expression.

The urban communities have been the face of fashion for decades as we embody our suppression in our sense of style and speak it through our art and songs. Individualism and innovation go hand-in-hand in this creative custom and are a primary entity to urban fashion and culture.

In the 80s and 90s era the supermodel sensation took over by storm. Thin, tall and athletic builds were widely commercialised and impacted our views on beauty and the standards that had been set. Racial diversity also raced to the modelling scene and into mainstream media such as: Iman, Naomi Campbell and Tyra Banks.

In the 90’s era, hip-hop held the key to the significance of urban fashion. Biggie and Tupac were the music mannequins of the urban scene. Oversized T-shirts and jeans, tracksuits, denim jackets and sneakers were all prominent pieces found in our closets influenced by the unforgettable late rappers that will forever remain icons locked in our hearts not only sonically, but fashionably.

In the early 2000s, music video vixens had become the urban face of fashion. Gold chunky earrings and diamond rings with pin straight hair and a touch of lipgloss were a sweet, striking yet sensual essence of the unforgettable avant-garde era of the fashion and urban culture.

In the 2010s, High End Fashion slowly seeped into our mainstream seams with bold designer logo’s such as the likes of Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger covered on our bodies as hood-culture couture. Alongside Supreme, Bathing Ape, Off-white and their famous fashion collaborations continued to create a new wave of streetwear we’ve never seen before.

The 2020’s style has evolved into comfortability and gym/lounge wear in the rise of “Athlesuire’ attire. When ‘work from home’ came into our lives and after the pandemic it had pandered to our lifestyle as comfort-wear became a common commodity for both men and women.

Culture, religion and body types have diversified and expanded limitations of fashion thus fulfilling inclusivity for all consumers.

In the 2000’s digital editing was heavily introduced, polishing and perfecting photography thus creating unattainable beauty standards and psychological problems on impressionable young girls and boys. Social Media has continued to perpetuate this unhealthy ideology of ‘perfection’ on Instagram and Snapchat, using ‘filters’ to conceal or exaggerate our features.

In the 2010s, self love and acceptance were terms we began to hear more often. Celebrities began to promote a movement of positivity amidst the brewing pot of negativity and insecurity inducing beliefs of the beauty standard. Influencers from various backgrounds came into the spotlight challenging fashion to begin showcasing inclusion and representation.

In current times, a range of inclusivity has become popularised as models from all body types and identities are being featured globally on magazines, tv and film.

The Diversity of fashion spectrums from culture, religion and identity to personal creativity and style. As of recent years, the fashion industry has taken pride in portraying a wide array of backgrounds and communities on the forefront of fashion.

Fashion has continually presented a platform for all creatives and their endeavours. Interconnected all the arts has been a powerful way to express our inner artist and individuality. Our personality and emotions are like a canvas on our body just like clothes are on a mannequin for example bold bright electric clothes that express our eccentricity or vintage pieces that show our love for history.

Challenging fashion norms have been interesting as the industry continue to promote ‘fluidity’ in fashion incorporating femininity and masculinity, breeding a brand new elements of expression in society.

Euro-centric beauty has been a heavily challenged in today’s fashion and beauty industry as the celebration of black, brown and asian representation carries the current culture to new heights. Various cultures and material patterns have featured in mainstream and high end fashion which persists to push the boundaries of fashion in traditional and modern ages.

As trends change rapidly, the internet age of Shein, PLT and Temu has come into play with affordable yet stylish clothing. As we are in the heights of fast fashion’s popularity, almost everybody has had to of purchased from their stores at least once. Which brings me to our next point:

Fast Fashion and it’s unethical convenience.
Are we stuck in the speeds of style?

Social and Economical factors appeal to both costumers and companies which uphold fast fashion to where it is today. It is affordable and accessible to the masses leading to a ‘buy and discard’ mentality to which in foresight, is evidently proven to be more negative than positive.

Environmentally, fast fashion is destroying our Planet. Toxic waste, synthetic dyes and fibres are polluting our planet which could potentially lead us to hundreds of years of decomposition.

The production of fast fashion involves waste, chemicals and industrialism. In which unfortunately, our passion for fashion further damages our ozone layer. Also, transporting items of clothes nationally or around the world contributes to green house gas emissions.

To tackle fast fashion we’d have to consider a number of points:

  • Increase awareness on environmental and unethical issues pertaining to the indulgence of fast fashion as education will allow us to become mindful of our choices.
  • shopping responsibly with sustainable brands: organic materials for safe and fair labour will promote ethical fashion for both consumers and workers.
  • embracing slow fashion: quality over quantity: investing in higher quality items that are durable will significantly reduce the need for ‘buy-and-bin’ fashion.
  • supporting local brands or vintage clothing: as they oppose to mass production and extending the longevity of quality clothes.

In conclusion, urban and fast fashion have both made a substantial impact on the industry in both past and present times. The street and hip-hop style have seeped into various sub-cultures just as fast fashion has, both impacting us locally and globally.