Streetwear designers and brands - The Big 13 List
Streetwear has grown to become a massive part of modern fashion and culture, with a vast array of designers and brands that have made a significant impact on the fashion industry. The roots of streetwear can be traced back to the 1970s and 80s, when subcultures like punk, hip hop, and skateboarding began to emerge. Streetwear fashion is characterized by its unique blend of athletic, casual, and high fashion elements, making it popular with a diverse range of consumers.
In this blog post, we will explore 13 of the most notable streetwear designers and brands, including their philosophy, style, brief history, and famous names.
- Supreme
Founded in 1994 by James Jebbia, Supreme is one of the most recognizable streetwear brands globally. Its beginnings started as a small skateboarding store in New York City, but it quickly grew to become a global phenomenon, with stores in major cities worldwide. Supreme's philosophy is centered on creating authentic products that represent its consumers' culture and lifestyle. The brand's style is a blend of streetwear, skatewear, and high fashion, with their iconic box logo and bold graphics featured prominently in its designs. Famous names associated with the brand include Kanye West and Tyler, The Creator.
- Off-White
Off-White is a luxury streetwear brand founded by Virgil Abloh in 2012. The brand's name refers to the gray area between black and white, representing the fusion of streetwear and high fashion. Off-White's philosophy is centered on pushing the boundaries of fashion by creating products that challenge traditional style conventions. The brand's style is characterized by its signature diagonal stripes, arrow logo, and industrial-inspired graphics. Famous names associated with the brand include Beyonce, Rihanna, and Kendall Jenner.
- A Bathing Ape (BAPE)
A Bathing Ape, also known as BAPE, is a Japanese streetwear brand founded by Nigo in 1993. The brand's early designs were heavily influenced by American hip-hop culture and the streetwear styles of the time. The brand's signature Ape head logo has since become synonymous with Japanese streetwear. BAPE's philosophy is centered on creating unique and innovative products that appeal to the brand's diverse consumer base. The brand's style is characterized by its bold graphics, bright colors, and iconic Ape head logo. Famous names associated with the brand include Pharrell Williams and Kanye West.
- Stüssy
Stüssy is a streetwear brand founded in 1980 by Shawn Stüssy. The brand's philosophy is centered on creating products that reflect the California lifestyle and culture. Stüssy's style is characterized by its signature scribble logo, graphic tees, and casual silhouettes. The brand has since expanded its range to include more sophisticated pieces like blazers and trousers. Famous names associated with the brand include Frank Ocean and Travis Scott.
- Palace Skateboards
Palace Skateboards is a British streetwear brand founded in 2009 by Lev Tanju. The brand's philosophy is centered on creating products that reflect the London skateboarding scene. Palace Skateboards' style is characterized by its playful graphics, bold prints, and irreverent attitude. The brand has since expanded its range to include more refined pieces like jackets and trousers. Famous names associated with the brand include Jonah Hill and Jay-Z.
- Comme des Garçons
Comme des Garçons is a Japanese fashion label founded in 1969 by Rei Kawakubo. The brand's philosophy is centered on challenging conventional ideas of beauty and fashion. Comme des Garçons' style is characterized by its avant-garde designs, oversized silhouettes, and unconventional fabrics. The brand has since expanded its range
to include more famous names associated with the brand, such as Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Kanye West.
- Y-3
Y-3 is a collaboration between Adidas and Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto. The brand's philosophy is centered on blending high fashion with sportswear. Y-3's style is characterized by its minimalist designs, black-and-white color palette, and unique fabrics. The brand has collaborated with other fashion designers and brands, including Raf Simons and Supreme. Famous names associated with the brand include Madonna and David Beckham.
- Neighborhood
Neighborhood is a Japanese streetwear brand founded in 1994 by Shinsuke Takizawa. The brand's philosophy is centered on creating products that reflect the culture and lifestyle of motorcycle enthusiasts. Neighborhood's style is characterized by its rugged designs, military-inspired silhouettes, and graphic-heavy prints. The brand has collaborated with other fashion designers and brands, including Adidas and Burton. Famous names associated with the brand include Kanye West and Pharrell Williams.
- Bapesta
Bapesta is a footwear brand that was launched by A Bathing Ape in 2002. The brand's philosophy is centered on creating sneakers that reflect the same bold, graphic-heavy designs as the main A Bathing Ape brand. Bapesta's style is characterized by its colorful designs, bold graphics, and unique materials. Famous names associated with the brand include Pharrell Williams and Lil Wayne.
- Undercover
Undercover is a Japanese streetwear brand founded in 1993 by Jun Takahashi. The brand's philosophy is centered on creating products that reflect the darker side of fashion, with influences from punk and Gothic styles. Undercover's style is characterized by its bold graphics, oversized silhouettes, and unconventional fabrics. The brand has collaborated with other fashion designers and brands, including Nike and Uniqlo. Famous names associated with the brand include Kanye West and Thom Yorke.
- Billionaire Boys Club
Billionaire Boys Club is a streetwear brand founded in 2005 by Pharrell Williams and Nigo. The brand's philosophy is centered on creating products that reflect the lifestyles of the "billionaire boys" who are driven by innovation, creativity, and success. Billionaire Boys Club's style is characterized by its playful graphics, bold prints, and high-quality fabrics. The brand has collaborated with other fashion designers and brands, including Adidas and Timberland. Famous names associated with the brand include Jay-Z and Kanye West.
- Supreme x The North Face
Supreme has collaborated with The North Face since 2007, creating limited-edition collections of outdoor clothing and accessories. The collaborations are a fusion of Supreme's streetwear aesthetic with The North Face's technical design expertise. The collections feature bold graphics, bright colors, and high-quality materials. Famous names associated with the collaborations include Drake and Travis Scott.
- Kith
Kith is a streetwear brand founded in 2011 by Ronnie Fieg. The brand's philosophy is centered on creating products that reflect the modern lifestyle and culture of its consumers. Kith's style is characterized by its minimalist designs, premium materials, and attention to detail. The brand has collaborated with other fashion designers and brands, including Nike and Tommy Hilfiger. Famous names associated with the brand include LeBron James and Bella Hadid.
In conclusion, streetwear fashion has evolved from its subcultural origins to become a significant part of modern fashion and culture. The 13 designers and brands explored in this blog post are just a few of the many notable names in the industry. Each brand has its unique philosophy, style, and history, making them stand out in the competitive streetwear market. These brands have also collaborated with other fashion designers and brands to create exciting
collections that push the boundaries of fashion and appeal to a diverse range of consumers. As streetwear continues to grow in popularity, we can expect to see even more innovative designs and collaborations from these and other influential brands. Whether you are a fan of streetwear or just appreciate its unique style, there is no denying the impact that these designers and brands have had on the fashion industry.
If you want to learn more about streetwear and its history, there are many resources available online and in print. Streetwear magazines like Hypebeast and Highsnobiety cover the latest trends and news in the industry, while books like "Streetwear: The Insider's Guide" by Steven Vogel and "Sneakers: The Complete Limited Editions Guide" by U-Dox offer a more in-depth look at streetwear's evolution. Additionally, online forums and communities like Reddit's r/streetwear and r/sneakers provide a space for streetwear enthusiasts to share their thoughts and opinions on the latest trends and releases.
In summary, streetwear fashion is a constantly evolving subculture that has become a significant part of modern fashion and culture. The 13 designers and brands explored in this blog post are just a few of the many notable names in the industry. Each brand has its unique philosophy, style, and history, making them stand out in the competitive streetwear market. As streetwear continues to grow in popularity, we can expect to see even more innovative designs and collaborations from these and other influential brands.