The phenomenon of streetwear fashion is perhaps the most notable for changing the image of luxurious manufacturers under casual clothing brands associated with city life. The differentiation between street fashion and luxury fashion is no longer clear and for that, a new and interesting amalgamation between culture, creativity and business. In this particular blog post, we will critically discuss streetwear’s impact on luxury fashion, give examples from premium brands, and examine how student projects at JD Institute correspond to this phenomenon. 

The fashion trend that is closely associated with youth culture and can be characterised as a new subculture in fashion is Streetwear. 

How Streetwear Fashion Became Mainstream 

Streetwear is a fashion that was stepped on streets of New York and Los Angeles in the context of skateboarding, hip-hop and youth culture in 1980/1990. What began as a low-intensity subculture, from both an artistic and a style viewpoint, streetwear started with a very specific identity: that of a rather vulgar item of attire. It did not stick to practice for long, but kept growing and eventually reached the world fashion weeks and the major fashion brands’ catwalks. 

It could therefore be seen how the influence of streetwear on luxury fashion. Luxury brands have woken up to the reality that streetwear is for the people hence they have incorporated the following; Graphic prints, Oversized clothing and Logo characteristics. It has led to the opening of the luxury street-style fashion market in the world. 

Why luxury brands adopt streetwear. 

It can therefore be reasoned that luxury brands have taken to streetwear as a way of targeting the youthful consumer who has an appreciation for fashion and is a brand-conscious individual with a desire for genuineness. Many luxury brands such as Balenciaga, Lous Vuitton, and Gucci among others are now embracing streetwear and offering their consumers items such as sneakers, hoodies, and graphic T-shirts, among others. 

An aspect that can be attributed to streetwear fashion is that the casualness of street style is incorporated into luxury fashion, by incorporating luxurious material, craftsmanship, and exorbitant price tags. This blend has produced this new sub-category referred to as luxury streetwear trends, which has potential consumers with flexible and broad demographic needs of fashion and status. 

Top Trends of the Blend of Streetwear with Luxury 

Balenciaga: Pioneering Streetwear-Luxury Fashion 

In my opinion, Balenciaga is one of the leading brands that implements streetwear’s intersection with luxury fashion design trends. Their designs are big and progressive to be considered as streetwear designs in most cases, and their triple S sneakers are considered as an example of streetwear and luxury fashion fusion. These sneakers incorporate the elements of urban culture into the designs and are even made with luxurious materials; therefore, they are considered a trendy item in the fashion industry. 

 Louis Vuitton x Supreme: Cultural Partnership 

There have been quite several streetwear and luxury fashion brand collaborations and one of the most notable ones was that between Louis Vuitton and Supreme, a giant in streetwear, in 2017. This partnership not only acquainted street style with luxury but also about the fusion of two completely different fashion worlds. The pieces that showcased the N Wolfgang Gartner logo and the specific patterns were soon status symbols and laid down the tone of future collaborations between luxury and streetwear brands. 

Carry on for Analysis of Virgil Abloh’s Impact at Off-White and Louis Vuitton 

As we approach our final episode of talking about the men’s luxury brands as a category, it is essential to note the man responsible for redefining the line between luxury and streetwear: Virgil Abloh, the former artistic director of Louis Vuitton and founder of Off-White. At two labels he worked, he used this mix between sportswear and luxury, streetwear, a hyphen, trends, typography art, and statement pieces. His work changed the way people looked at luxury streetwear trends as well as geared up the present and up-and-coming generations of designers and fashion enthusiasts. 

The Role of Streetwear Fashion in the Education 

Semi Utemised Street and Luxury Design Projects 

The students at the JD Institute of Fashion Technology are expected to investigate today’s fashion design trends such as the incorporation of streetwear elements in luxury fashion. Themes that are usually employed in students’ output often include how street-style fashion can be incorporated into luxury to establish various collections that psychologically and elementally embody today’s trend and youth-spiritedness. 

It teaches intending designers at JD Institute how they can achieve such concepts as oversized fit, strong tones and a nice and relaxed look while still having a luxury touch. While engaging in such kind of activities, the learners can appreciate the concept of streetwear and luxury and how it can be integrated into future fashion trends. 

Fashion Trends: Streetwear’s Responsibility in the Development of the Next Generation of Designers 

We also learn the impact of street culture on fashion design and consequently, the education of fashion design. Currently, the idea of the street culture has influenced fashion design more than before forcing schools to incorporate aspects of streetwear in their programs. Through such changes, students are in a position to meet the fashion demands required in the modern market focusing both on luxury and streetwear clients. 

Students at JD Institute also learn about the business side of fashion, where they get to understand why streetwear-luxury hybrid is viable for the brands and how they capitalize on the fashion design trends favourite among young people, the fashion-conscious generation. 

Streets and Luxury That’s the Future of Fashion 

What’s Next for Streetwear in Luxury? 

This means that with time there will be convergence between streetwear and luxury fashion more than what has been observed today. There will be more and more collaborations between side streetwear labels and luxury houses, and more and more brands will introduce elements of street culture. The merger of luxury streetwear trends will become a more permanent feature of streetwear fashion since it will change the perception of consumers regarding exclusivity comfort, and uniqueness. 

Therefore, through examining the effects of streetwear on luxury fashion, it becomes clear that both sectors have changed concerning high fashion. The amalgamation of the streets with luxury has become the new trend in the work of designers, brands, and students, as seen below.