The Influence of Street Style on High Fashion: How Trends are Born from the Streets

Street style has become an increasingly important part of the fashion industry in recent years. What was once dismissed as a subculture or a passing trend has now become a major source of inspiration for high fashion designers and fashion enthusiasts alike. From New York to Tokyo, street style has become a global phenomenon that is shaping the way we think about fashion.

The Origins of Street Style

Street style has its roots in the punk and hip-hop movements of the 1970s and 80s. These subcultures rejected mainstream fashion and created their own unique styles that were influenced by music, art, and street culture. Over time, these styles began to influence mainstream fashion designers who started to incorporate elements of street style into their collections.

The Rise of Street Style

In the 1990s, street style started to gain more mainstream attention thanks to the rise of streetwear brands like Supreme and A Bathing Ape. These brands were inspired by skateboarding and graffiti culture and helped to popularize street style among a wider audience.

At the same time, photographers like Bill Cunningham and Scott Schuman started to document street style in major cities around the world. Their photos were featured in fashion magazines and blogs, and helped to bring street style to the forefront of the fashion industry.

The Influence of Street Style on High Fashion

Today, street style is a major source of inspiration for high fashion designers. They look to the streets for new ideas and trends, and often incorporate elements of street style into their collections.

For example, the oversized clothing trend that has become popular in recent years can be traced back to streetwear brands like Supreme. The use of bold colors and patterns in high fashion collections is also influenced by street style.

Street style has also helped to break down traditional gender norms in fashion. Many street style enthusiasts embrace androgynous or gender-neutral styles that challenge traditional ideas of what men and women should wear. This has had a ripple effect on the fashion industry, with designers creating more gender-neutral collections and breaking down the barriers between men’s and women’s fashion.

The Future of Street Style

As street style continues to evolve and influence high fashion, it’s clear that its impact on the fashion industry will only continue to grow. With the rise of social media and the internet, street style is more accessible than ever before, and anyone can be a trendsetter.

The democratization of fashion that street style represents is a powerful force that is changing the way we think about fashion. It’s not just about what’s on the runway or in the pages of a magazine – it’s about what people are wearing on the streets every day.

• Street style has become a major source of inspiration for high fashion designers
• Street style has helped to break down traditional gender norms in fashion
• Street style represents a democratization of fashion that is changing the industry

As we look to the future of fashion, it’s clear that street style will continue to play a major role in shaping trends and influencing the industry. Whether it’s through social media, streetwear brands, or the photographers who document it, street style will continue to inspire and challenge us to think differently about fashion.