These creative revolutionaries believe art, design, and streetwear are synonymous
This piece is a bit of a departure for me, and I’m sharing it because I’ve noticed that my more contemporary influences come from individuals a step or two outside the art world. Musically, my two biggest influences are punk rock and hip-hop, but punk rock hasn’t really had the same cultural relevance as hip-hop, except perhaps punk’s influence on skate culture.
Rap music lead me to an appreciation for street art, which turned me on to Basquiat, Haring, Futura, Shepard Fairey, and others. In return, those artists influenced music and fashion, to the point where major fashion houses like Louis Vuitton and Dior have streetwear divisions and are bringing in creative direction from outside influences like Pharrell Williams, A$AP Rocky, and Jay Z.
It's no surprise that over the years, hip-hop and streetwear have become inseparable. Both cultures have influenced each other's fashion, music, and lifestyle. As streetwear has become more mainstream, it has become an integral part of the fashion industry, with many designers and artists exploring the intersection of art and fashion.
With this article, I want to delve into the individual significance of some of the most notable contributors to streetwear, hip-hop, and art culture. These individuals have shaped the culture in significant ways, and their contributions have been crucial to the current state of art and culture.
Nigo
Tomoaki Nagao, or Nigo as he’s known around the world, is the founder of A Bathing Ape (Bape) and is one of the pioneers of the Japanese streetwear scene. He started the brand in 1993, and it quickly became a favorite of hip-hop artists and fans alike. A Bathing Ape's signature camo pattern, called the Bapesta, has become a staple in the streetwear world.
Nigo's approach to streetwear was different from what was popular at the time, blending Japanese aesthetics with American hip-hop culture, and creating a unique style that caught the attention of the masses. Nigo's influence can be seen in many streetwear brands today, and his legacy continues to inspire a new generation of designers.
Nigo sold A Bathing Ape (Bape) in 2011 to Hong Kong fashion conglomerate I.T Limited. Following his departure from Bape, Nigo launched a new fashion label called Human Made in 2010, a vintage-inspired brand that incorporates American workwear, sportswear, and military aesthetics into its designs. The brand is known for its high-quality materials and construction, as well as its attention to detail and authenticity.
Salehe Bembury
Salehe Bembury is a rising star in the streetwear scene. He began his career as a footwear designer for several major brands, including Cole Haan and Greats. In 2016, he joined Versace as the vice president of footwear, stayed for three years, and in 2019, left to focus on his namesake brand.
Bembury's approach to design is unique, with a focus on sustainability and environmentalism. His designs often incorporate natural materials, and he is committed to reducing waste in the fashion industry. Bembury has quickly become a favorite of celebrities and streetwear enthusiasts, and his designs are quickly becoming some of the most sought-after in the industry.
Bobby Hundreds
Bobby Hundreds, the co-founder of The Hundreds, is a pioneer of the streetwear scene. He started the brand with Ben Shenassafar in 2003, and it quickly became a favorite of the hip-hop community. The Hundreds' signature style incorporates bold graphics and pop culture references, and the brand has become a staple in the streetwear scene.
Bobby has been an advocate for diversity and inclusion in the streetwear industry, and he has been outspoken about issues of race and representation. He has used his platform to promote emerging artists and designers, and he continues to be a leader in the streetwear community.
He’s also a big advocate for artists claiming their independence by championing NFTs not as a money-making scheme, but as a way for artists to maintain control over their royalties over the lifetime of their existence, instead of handing that control over to collectors and dealers.
Side Note: Bobby’s book This is Not a T-Shirt is one of my favorite books on creative business.
Daniel Arsham
Daniel Arsham is an artist and designer known for his collaborations with brands like Dior, Kith, and Adidas. His work often blurs the line between art and fashion, and he has been a significant contributor to the streetwear scene. Arsham's approach to design is unique, with a focus on texture and materials. He often incorporates elements of architecture and sculpture into his work, creating pieces that are both visually stunning and thought-provoking.
Seeing Arsham’s work in person was transformative for me. After visiting a local museum featuring his work, I went home and consumed as much information as I could get to wrap my eyeballs around. I can honestly say that he’s almost exclusively responsible for how I view my own artwork going forward.
Nicole McLaughlin
Nicole McLaughlin is a designer known for her unique approach to upcycling and sustainable fashion. Her designs often incorporate discarded materials and repurposed objects, creating pieces that are both visually stunning and environmentally conscious.
McLaughlin's dedication to sustainability and environmentalism has set a new standard for the industry and she is another artist who has me thinking differently about my work and how to think about materials in new and inventive ways. I have more to say about McLaughlin in the near future.
Sean Wotherspoon
Sean Wotherspoon is a designer and entrepreneur known for his collaborations with Nike and Adidas. He started his career as the co-owner of Round Two, a vintage clothing store that quickly became a favorite of the streetwear community. Wotherspoon's approach to design is playful and colorful, with a focus on sustainability and environmentalism.
Wotherspoon's collaborations with Nike and Adidas have been some of the most highly anticipated releases in recent years, and his designs have quickly become some of the most sought-after in the industry.
Melody Ehsani
Melody Ehsani is a designer known for her bold and empowering designs, often incorporating feminist themes and messages. Her streetwear brand, Melody Ehsani, has become a favorite of celebrities and influencers in the hip-hop community.
Ehsani's approach to design is unique, with a focus on empowering women and promoting diversity and inclusion in the industry. Her collaborations with brands like Reebok and Jordan have been some of the most highly sought-after releases in recent years.
Ronnie Fieg
Ronnie Fieg is the founder of Kith, a streetwear brand known for its high-end collaborations and limited releases. Fieg's approach to design is meticulous, with a focus on quality and attention to detail. Kith's collaborations with brands like Nike and Coca-Cola have been some of the most highly anticipated releases in recent years.
Fieg's influence can be seen in many streetwear brands today, and his dedication to quality and craftsmanship has set a new standard for the industry. He has also been an advocate for mental health awareness, using his platform to promote positive messages and support for those struggling with mental health issues.
Jeff Staple
Jeff Staple is the founder of Staple Pigeon, a legendary streetwear brand and creative agency known for its collaborations with brands like Nike, Adidas, and New Balance. Staple's approach to design is unique, with a focus on storytelling and narrative. His collaborations often incorporate elements of pop culture and subcultures, creating pieces that are both visually stunning and meaningful.
Staple's influence can be seen in many streetwear brands today, and his collaborations have been some of the most highly sought-after releases in recent years.
I’m currently reading the book, Jeff Staple: Not Just Sneakers
Leah McSweeney
Leah McSweeney is the founder of Married to the Mob, a streetwear brand that has become a favorite of women in the hip-hop community. McSweeney's approach to design is bold and unapologetic, with a focus on empowering women and promoting diversity and inclusion in the industry.
McSweeney has been a trailblazer in the streetwear scene, using her platform to promote positive messages and support for women in the industry. She has also been an advocate for mental health awareness, using her own struggles with bipolar disorder to raise awareness and reduce the stigma around mental health issues.
Colm Dillane
Colm Dillane is the founder of KidSuper, a streetwear brand known for its playful and colorful designs. Dillane's approach to design is unique, with a focus on experimentation and creativity. KidSuper's collaborations with brands like Puma and Nike have been some of the most highly sought-after releases in recent years.
His quirky approach to design has gained him enough influence to be considered for one of the fashion world’s most coveted roles; artistic director for Louis Vuitton's menswear division. Ultimately the role went to Pharrell Williams yet Dillane was a consideration.
Hebru Brantley
Hebru Brantley is an artist and designer known for his collaborations with brands like Nike and BAPE. His work often incorporates elements of pop culture and street art, creating pieces that are both visually stunning and thought-provoking.
Brantley's influence is unique because of his approach to merchandising and product drops, which goes against the grain of the traditional art world’s expectations from artists of his standing.
Virgil Abloh
Abloh is best known for his luxury streetwear brand, Off-White, which he founded in 2012. His work has been highly influential in the fashion industry, with collaborations with brands like Nike and Louis Vuitton, where he served as the artistic director of menswear.
Abloh's approach to design is unique, incorporating elements of streetwear, luxury fashion, and contemporary art. He often incorporates political and social commentary into his work, challenging traditional notions of luxury and status symbols.
His influence on the hip-hop scene cannot be understated, with many rappers and musicians sporting his designs in music videos and on stage. His collaborations with artists like Kanye West and Travis Scott have been highly successful, and his design work for album covers and stage sets has become highly sought-after.
As a visual artist, Abloh's approach to design challenges traditional notions of what constitutes art and fashion. His work blurs the line between the two, creating a new standard for contemporary fashion design. His dedication to pushing boundaries and incorporating political and social commentary into his work makes him a significant figure in the intersection of hip-hop, streetwear, and art.
Virgil passed away on November 28, 2021, from a rare and aggressive cancer, yet his influence on art and fashion promises to live on for years to come.
Streetwear and art share a rebellious spirit, a desire to break free from the norm and create something new. - Virgil Abloh
As artists, we can learn a great deal from these outliers and influencers. Their work challenges us to think outside the box and to experiment with different mediums and materials. They remind us that art doesn't have to be confined to a gallery or museum; it can be worn, lived in, and experienced in everyday life.
Moreover, their work highlights the importance of authenticity and representation in art. They have created spaces for underrepresented voices and communities, challenging the traditional art world's lack of diversity and inclusivity.
The impact of hip-hop, streetwear, and art on each other cannot be understated. It has created a new standard in the art world, challenging traditional notions of what constitutes art and who gets to make it, and how we move forward with the same authenticity, experimentation, and cultural representation in our work.