We live in an accelerated world where trends come and go. As a coping mechanism, a growing number of young designers are working together and taking cues from other artistic disciplines. The merger of the two creative domains is something which is more natural than it is unexpected since lots of the designers behind your favourite companies were schooled alongside ambitious artists.
There has been a long-running discussion about whether or not streetwear constitutes art. Maybe it’s the kind of question that has no clear-cut right or incorrect response. But even advocates of fashion as art have problems wrapping their heads around the idea that streetwear can be considered art. Sometimes I get the impression that the question “Is streetwear art?” is asked with a patronizing undercurrent that really means, “Is streetwear legitimate?” Considering that the Oxford dictionary defines art as “the expression or application of human creative talent and imagination,” which is exactly what streetwear is for, as a form of expression. One could argue that streetwear is a form of visual art, no cap.
There’s a backstory to all those graphic shirts and limited-edition sneaks. This is the narrative of those who made a difference: the innovators and the leaders. A representation of the past and future of young culture via the development of street fashion. Individuals who felt excluded from mainstream culture and hence created their own community.
There appears to be a divide in opinion on streetwear between those who are aware of its cultural significance and those who are not. Therefore, we need to ask: Are we expected to understand streetwear?
