**A La Moda is a monthly Slice of Culture series where we explore different cultures, trends and more in the fashion world. “Moda” translates to “fashion” in several languages from Spain, Eastern Europe, South Asia and more.
Photo by Adrienne J. Romero / SOC Images.
As the world of fashion evolves, the old continuously transforms into something fascinating.
What used to be very distinguishable styles—streetwear’s edgy, urban look and luxury fashion’s lavish, elegant look—are now merging together. This fusion challenges traditional notions of style, exclusivity and cultural expression.
New Jersey has especially seen the impact of these subcultures with the rise of streetwear events and festivals like Jersey Creators Market, Jersey City’s annual Day of Fashion and the upcoming Streetwear Expo in Newark.
Streetwear: From Underground to Mainstream
Streetwear is one of the most popular fashion subcultures in today’s age. It all started in the late 20th century in popular urban cities like New York and Los Angeles.
A few subcultures have played a part in bringing streetwear to life. The hip-hop, punk and skateboarding communities in these cities have heavily influenced the streetwear aesthetic.
Although different, these three subcultures are connected when it comes to promoting nonconformity to social norms and youth culture. Similar to most of the subcultures we’ve tapped into in the past, the streetwear aesthetic is all about prioritizing self expression without jeopardizing comfortability and functionality.
Many can be seen wearing oversized silhouettes, graphic tees, sneakers and DIY pieces. Majority of the streetwear brands we know and love today originated as niche labels before gaining mainstream attention. Brands like Supreme, A Bathing Ape, Off-White and Stussy gained traction due to their unique styles.
The Evolution of Luxury Fashion
On the other side of the spectrum, luxury fashion started with a different approach in the fashion industry. This subculture has been associated with the exclusivity of high-priced garments for wealthy clientele.
Popular luxury fashion houses are Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada and Chanel. They’ve built their reputation on high level craftsmanship. These brands are known for their intricate tailoring, sophisticated materials and classic styles that are timeless.
Throughout the years, luxury brands have been undergoing a transformation to cater to a younger audience and keep up with competitive forces.
The Fusion of Streetwear and Luxury
In recent times, luxury and streetwear brands teaming up to create limited-edition collections has become a common practice. This has allowed for high-end craftsmanship and streetwear aesthetics to coexist.
Luxury brands have also partnered up with celebrities like Kanye West and Pharrell Williams to put a streetwear spin on their timeless pieces.
Virgil Abloh’s, CEO and founder of Off-White, contributions to the fashion industry have played a huge role in bridging the gap between both subcultures. Abloh was the first Black person to be the artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s men’s wear. He’s credited for blurring traditional barriers between casual streetwear and luxury.
As luxury brands embrace elements from streetwear fashion, they’ve begun to incorporate logo-centric designs, graffiti details, graphic shirts and hoodies into their own collections.
Social media has also played a huge part in luxury brands being able to reach a more diverse and younger audience.
The Impact on Fashion Culture
The merging of these two subcultures have been a cultural shift that has both redefined style and expands the fashion market.
Fashion has evolved so much that now it’s common for enthusiasts to mix high-end designer pieces with casual streetwear staples.
Traditionally, exclusivity in luxury fashion was linked to showing off one’s wealth and high social status. However, as streetwear became widely accepted, a new type of exclusivity transpired.
Streetwear brands approach their exclusivity differently by focusing on making very limited qualities of products based on cultural trends. Exclusivity is no longer just about wealth; it now also means having something that’s cool and hard to get.
Celebrity stylist Ty Hunter, who styled Beyoncé for about 18 years, spoke briefly with Slice of Culture on Sept. 5 during Jersey City’s second annual Day of Fashion. He spoke about the impact that fashion has on everyday culture.
“I feel like when we wear our clothes, it’s [an] armor of how we feel,” Hunter said. “It’s the representation of how we feel so it’s just important to find pieces that you feel make you feel your best.”
Streetwear brands have gained credibility and status while luxury fashion houses have tapped into a diverse demographic. This has allowed the fashion industry to continuously elevate and redefine itself.
The Rise of Local Streetwear Brands
Local streetwear brands play a vital role in molding the street culture and style in their community. These homegrown brands capture the essence of their local community.
Let Us Prosper
About: Prosper is a Jersey City based lifestyle boutique that draws inspiration from JC’s motto “Let Jersey Prosper.” They offer an exclusive in-store apparel that prioritizes quality without excessive prices.
Where to Find Them:
Website: https://www.letusprosper.com/
Social Media: @let.us.prosper
Local Stores: 558 Newark Ave Jersey City, NJ 07306
Enjae
About: Enjae is a Hudson County based streetwear brand that specializes in creating pieces inspired by the love for their local community and culture. They always release dope exclusive collections.
Where to Find Them:
Website: https://enjae.shop/
Social Media: @enjaebrand
Local Stores: 4th Quarter – 4534 Bergenline Ave Suite #22 Union City, NJ 07087
NJ Skateshop
About: NJ Skateshop is a skateboard shop established in 2003. They specialize in skateboarding apparel and equipment. NJ Skateshop has always been very big on building a community and safe space for skateboard enthusiasts.
Where to Find Them:
Website: https://njskateshop.com/
Social Media: @njskateshop
Local Stores:
- 383 Monmouth Street, Jersey City
- 160 Easton Ave, New Brunswick
Looking To The Future
As these two worlds continue to collide, the possibilities are becoming endless. We’re witnessing traditional style boundaries being redefined in real time.
I’ll be looking forward to seeing a future in fashion where style knows no limits as designers continue to challenge norms and spark new ideas.
