From London boulevards to Tokyo alleys, the power of street style has steadily been gaining traction as an unparalleled force in the fashion industry. There is more to fashion in 2020 than Chanel or Zara; it’s the community-driven sphere of street style that is pushing the boundaries of style and redefining urban fashion.
Many of the leading figures of this new movement are street style icons – influencers who are inspiring all of us to take risks, experiment and embrace our true, individual style. In this article, we will explore the impact of these fashion powerhouses, and what their unique looks can teach us about the future of urban fashion trends.
1. Rise of Street Style: A Required Revolution
Street style has taken the fashion industry by storm. With its rebellious nature and creative, artistic expression, it offers an outlet for people to stand out among the crowd – and leave a lasting impression.
Unconventional is the New Normal
With its innovative combination of vintage, retro and modern, street style brings an element of surprise not found in any other fashion trend. From statement pieces to bright colours, street style fashion gives you the tools to express yourself and your values – no matter your age or budget.
The rise of street style is an important cultural milestone, allowing people to wear what makes them feel good instead of what’s expected of them. It empowers them to be bold, push boundaries and express their unique style.
Breaking Conventional Boundaries
By being unafraid to mix and match items, street style transcends the usual categorical conventions of fashion. It creates unique outfits that bluster and break all pre-conceived rules and social norms. Street style may not be understood or accepted by all, but it does open up the conversation for more acceptance and support.
The effects of street style are wide-reaching. It’s inspiring and influencing the fashion industry, signalling a move away from conventional trends. Here are some benefits it brings:
- Encourages individualism and self-expression.
- Creates more inclusivity.
- Creates a more dynamic fashion scene.
- More affordable fashion options.
The rise of the street style revolution has created a new era in fashion. With its unique and daring approach to what it means to look and feel good, it has opened up a world of personality, creativity and diverse expression.
2. Street Style Icons: Pioneers of Urban Fashion Innovation
- Rapper and Designer Kanye West. Kanye West is considered by many to be the pioneer of modern urban fashion. His own style, often full of athleisure apparel or military-inspired style, is constantly evolving and always ahead of the curve. Many of his own fashion designs have become iconic street style pieces, and his projects have been described as “changing the face of fashion.”
- Model and Brand Ambassador Jourdan Dunn. Jourdan Dunn is a model and influential style icon well known for her effortless, edgy looks. She is often seen pairing unconventional items together to create one-of-a-kind looks that instantly inspire. She was the first British black model to grace the cover of British Vogue in over 12 years, and she has also been named a brand ambassador for leading fashion and beauty brands.
- Rapper and Influencer Brockhampton. This collective of creatives are the definition of “success” in the fashion world. Through their unique style, the group has used fashion as a form of self-expression. They are constantly pushing boundaries and inspiring others to wear whatever they’re passionate about. In addition, they often collaborate with other brands to promote streetwear and urban fashion.
- Blogger and Influencer Chris Paul. Also known as the “godfather of street style,” Chris Paul is a style icon in the fashion world. He is well known for his signature looks, which often feature bright colors and playful prints. His own blog, which features his experiences with street fashion, is often credited as one of the first blogs of its kind. He also collaborates with many fashion brands, often featuring some of their clothing in his shoots.
From Kanye’s tendency towards athleisurewear to Jourdan Dunn’s edgier looks, street style icons have been pushing boundaries and inspiring trends in urban fashion for decades. But with the rise of social media, these street style icons have become celebrities in their own right.
In the past, the influence of street style icons was felt mainly within their own local communities. But these days, their influence can be seen around the world, with brands and celebrities taking cues from their statement looks. This is why street style icons such as Brockhampton and Chris Paul have become so important in the fashion industry.
Urban Street style is an ever-changing and often quickly disappearing trend. That’s why the style choices of street style icons pave the way for new, unique looks that help to create an entire culture around street fashion. The bold and unique statements that these icons make are just as influential as those made by the major fashion houses.
To stay ahead of the trends, many fashionistas now look to style icons for insight and inspiration. As ever-evolving trends in the fashion world, street style icons continue to create new looks that will surely make their way onto the runways.
3. Influencers Subverting Social Norms with Bold Outfits
Fashion trends come and go, and when it comes to breaking the barrier of social norms, nothing quite delivers the statement-making punch like an influencer-approved outfit.
The world of Instagram is filled with influencers parading bold attire and pushing their own unique fashion statement on the rest of us. Whether they’re real life fashion icons like Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, and Cardi B, or blog-savvy internet stars like Aimee Song and Chiara Ferragni, these influencers are leading the charge in becoming the pioneers of what it means to make a statement with clothing.
Here’s a glimpse into the world of influencers and their fashion statements this year:
- Colorful Clothing: Whether it’s matching two-piece sets with popping colors, or mixing and matching unexpected hues, influencers are giving those traditionally dull grays and blacks a run for their money.
- Thrifted Clothing: With thrifted clothes becoming trendy again this year, many influencers are scouring the racks and streets for affordable alternatives to designer brands. Mixing thrifted pieces with high end items is a powerful way to subvert the status quo .
- Gender-Bending Fashion: This year, influencers like Jaden Smith and Miley Cyrus have taken gender-bending fashion and made it mainstream. From oversized hoodies and bold crop tops to dapper two-pieces, these style icons have given a new meaning to the staple “uniform.”
From incorporating trend lists to their music videos, to putting on bold fashion shows for their fans, influencers have been at the forefront of subverting social norms with their outfits, and it doesn’t look like they’re stopping anytime soon.
4. The Impact of Pioneering Style Icons on Urban Fashion
Urban fashion trends can be traced back to the style icons that have put their indelible mark on the cities they frequent. These fashion pioneers are not only known for their unique and creative style, but also for their influence on the way we dress today. It doesn’t matter if it’s your grandma’s vintage fur coat, the skinny jeans of the ’90s, or the ’60s mod look; these fashion revolutionaries have impacted our shared culture in a lasting way.
Fashion Icons of the Past
From Elvis Presley to Twiggy, fashion icons of the past have had an enormous impact on urban fashion. Elvis Presley had a larger-than-life style that set the standard for rock ‘n’ roll inspired looks. The 1960s saw the rise of Twiggy, who popularized mod fashion and revolutionized the modeling industry. The 1970s were marked by the innovative fashion of punk rockers like Sid Vicious and Siouxsie Sioux. These subcultures and icons gave rise to a new wave of looks that continue to inspire Urban fashion.
Contemporary Urban Icons
- Rihanna – her unique and ever-evolving style has been pushing boundaries since the start of her career.
- Kanye West – Kanye is known for his bold fashion choices and his creative take on contemporary streetwear.
- Kendall Jenner – Jenner is a trendsetter of the moment, often seen sporting the latest looks from the fashion runways.
Today, these artists and fashion powerhouses are icons of their own. Whether they are creating their own clothing lines or simply setting the standard for what’s in and what’s out, they are all creating a lasting influence on the look of modern day urban fashion.
It is clear that fashion icons, past and present, have paved the way for urban fashion trends today. People continue to be inspired by these creative individuals and use their iconic styles to express themselves. Whether it’s a dramatic red carpet look or a bold street style statement, it is evident that these fashion pioneers will continue to influence urban fashion for years to come.
From bold colors and over-the-top accessories to sleek silhouettes and classic staples, street style influencers are carving a unique path through urban fashion. By celebrating individual style and inspiring confidence, these icons are reinvigorating the way we view fashion and trends. As they redefine the visual language of the streets, street style influencers prove that beautiful fashion can be found in the most unexpected places.
