In a fashion ecosystem increasingly driven by algorithmic spectacle, virality, and accelerated trend
cycles, Pharrell Williams’ Louis Vuitton Fall–Winter 2026 menswear collection arrives with an
almost disarming calm. Presented during Paris Fashion Week, the show unfolded around
DROPHAUS. A prefabricated modernist home that functioned as both architectural installation and
conceptual frame. A foreshadowing that this was a collection concerned not with theatrical
disruption, but with how clothes inhabit life.Since assuming creative direction at Louis Vuitton menswear, Williams has operated within one of the most commercially powerful fashion systems in the world. A house where visibility, branding, and cultural scale are inseparable from design. FW26 marks a shift away from overt symbolism and headline-driven moments toward something quieter, more composed, and arguably more conservative. The question becomes not whether the collection is elegant (it is), but what such elegance signifies in an industry that increasingly rewards provocation over permanence. It seems the LV might be jumping in the bandwagon in a parade that is all about honouring creativity and craftsmanship.

Architecture as Concept, Not Spectacle
The show’s setting – DROPHAUS – borrowed heavily from mid-century modernist ideals:
transparency, modularity, functional beauty. Architecture here was not ornamental but ideological,
echoing the logic of designers such as Donald Judd or Mies van der Rohe, where form follows lived
use rather than symbolic excess. The house staged fashion not as fantasy, but as extension of
domestic and social life. This spatial framing positioned the garments as part of an ecosystem rather than as isolated statements. It also subtly distanced the collection from the hyper-theatrical runway spectacles that dominate luxury marketing today. Williams seems to be recalibrating Louis Vuitton’s visual language away from Instagram immediacy toward something slower, more materially grounded. However, one could argue that the very act of staging minimalism at Vuitton’s scale inevitably neutralises its radical potential. What once functioned as critique in modernist art becomes
aestheticised comfort when absorbed into global luxury machinery.

Silhouette: Soft Authority and the Post-Streetwear Body
The silhouettes in FW26 favours tailoring that is relaxed but controlled. Jackets draped instead of
sculpted, trousers move fluidly rather than assert rigidity. The masculine body here is neither hyper athletic nor aggressively coded. It is composed, mobile, and emotionally neutral. A real
interpretation of masculinity with all of its nuances. This marks a departure from the oversized streetwear vocabulary that defined luxury menswear throughout the late 2010s and early 2020s. Instead, Williams gestures toward a post-streetwear masculinity aligned more closely with contemporary lifestyle luxury than youth subculture. The shift reflects broader market movements: consumers increasingly seek longevity, versatility, and material value over logo-centric novelty.
This recalibration also raises questions of creative risk. The collection’s silhouettes, while refined,
rarely challenge the conventions of tailoring or proportion in ways that push the discipline forward.
Compared to designers like Rei Kawakubo, Raf Simons, or even contemporary innovators working
with structural experimentation, FW26 remains safely within the boundaries of recognisable luxury.
Pattern Cutting as Invisible Discipline Where the collection finds intellectual credibility is in its pattern logic. Construction priortises mobility and bodily accommodation rather than visual aggression. Sleeves are articulated for movement, shoulders softened to allow natural posture, and volumes positioned strategically rather than theatrically.

This approach aligns with a growing industry conversation around wearability as ethics. Garments
designed merely for image production are out. In a market saturated with disposable fashion cycles,
such restraint carries authority. Nevertheless, invisibility can also dilute authorship. The refinement
is evident to trained eyes, but its subtlety risks being lost within Vuitton’s mass-scale consumption
context, where craftsmanship often becomes secondary to brand recognition.
Materiality and the Aesthetics of Ageing Material choices reinforce the collection’s commitment to longevity. Leathers are supple rather than lacquered; wools and suedes invite touch and wear rather than display perfection. The emphasis on patina suggests a philosophy closer to Japanese wabi-sabi than European luxury gloss. There is an appreciation for ageing as aesthetic evolution rather than degradation.

Branding remains discreet. The Louis Vuitton monogram appears embedded within textures or
structures rather than declared graphically, signaling a shift toward quieter luxury codes
increasingly visible across high-end fashion. Still, within a brand whose commercial success
depends heavily on recognisable iconography, this restraint may function more as symbolic
positioning than genuine operational transformation. Colour as Emotional Temperature
The palette – anchored in browns, greys, and muted neutrals – establishes a calm atmospheric
continuity. Strategic injections of saturated colour operate as emotional punctuation rather than
spectacle. This chromatic discipline reinforces the collection’s architectural logic and emotional
neutrality.

Luxury in the Age of Stability
LV’26 menswear reflects a broader industry moment: luxury fashion recalibrating toward stability
after years of cultural volatility. As markets mature and consumers seek durability over disruption,
brands increasingly champion timelessness, lifestyle integration, and material value. Pharrell
Williams’ Louis Vuitton aligns seamlessly with this shift. It is coherent, refined, and commercially
intelligent. But it also raises a critical question: can luxury still function as a cultural engine if it
prioritises comfort over confrontation? The collection succeeds as a proposition for contemporary
living. Whether it advances fashion as a critical discipline remains open to debate.

Words by Fabianna Gutierrez

The post Pharrell Williams Proves Louis Vuitton Is a Lifestyle at Paris Fashion Week appeared first on Voir Fashion.

The annual Met Gala is a staple in the fashion world, with its iconic themes, extravagant red carpet looks, and star-studded guest list. As we look forward to the 2025 edition of this glamorous event, here’s a sneak peek into what you can expect.

When and Where?

The 2025 Met Gala will take place on Monday, May 5, at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The event traditionally kicks off the Costume Institute’s annual fashion exhibition, and this year will be no exception.

What’s the Theme?

In 2025, the Met Gala will explore the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” 

Inspired by Monica L. Miller’s book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity, the exhibition will highlight the evolution and influence of Black men’s style, from the 18th century to the present day. Expect to see a stunning array of garments, photography, and art, showcasing how Black dandyism has left a lasting imprint on the fashion world.

Who’s Hosting?

 This year’s co-chairs are an impressive all-Black male lineup, including actor Colman Domingo, Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton, rapper A$AP Rocky, and music icon Pharrell Williams, alongside Vogue’s Anna Wintour and honorary chair LeBron James. Each of these figures has made significant contributions to fashion, making them fitting choices for this year’s celebration.

What’s the Dress Code?

While the dress code for 2025 has yet to be revealed, we can anticipate sophisticated looks that celebrate Black sartorial elegance, likely featuring sharp tailoring and bold, statement-making attire.

Why the Met Gala Matters

Aside from being one of the most anticipated fashion events, the Met Gala is also a major fundraiser for the Costume Institute. Year after year, it helps raise millions to support the museum’s efforts in preserving fashion history.

Words By Noa Balou

The post Everything You Need to Know About the 2025 Met Gala Theme appeared first on Voir Fashion.

But if there’s one key takeaway from the Louis Vuitton Spring Summer 2024 Show, it’s that it’s not just about fashion– it’s an immersive experience that’s a little bit Louis Vuitton, a little bit celebrity-inspired, and a whole lot Pharrell.

The Phlace

The show took place on Paris’ oldest bridge le Pont Neuf while overlooking the river Seine in a nod to the brand’s Parisian roots. Guests arrived by boat to see the historical location covered in Louis Vuitton’s signature Damier check, drinking champagne and enjoying chicken nuggets prepared by celebrity chef Jean Imbert. What followed was a three-hour celebratory spectacle filled with fashion, music, and culture that confirmed Vuitton’s promise to position itself as a ‘cultural brand’.

The Phriends

A live orchestra and gospel choir accompanied the 71 looks that strutted down the runway, building excitement that exploded as Jay-Z gave a surprise concert near the end. The rapper wasn’t the only A-lister in attendance; amongst the 1,750 guest list were also Naomi Campbell, Jaden and Willow Smith, Kim Kardashian, and Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo. Most notably however, were Pharrell’s closest friends lining the front row. From Beyoncé and Zendaya’s reunion to A$AP Rocky and Rihanna’s matching denim fits, the show seemed more like that party hosted by the cool, popular kids we all desperately wanted to get invited to.

The Phinspiration

But unlike those high school parties, Pharrell wants everyone to feel included with the ‘Lovers’ collection. Following his announcement to take the reigns on Valentine’s Day, the 50-year-old kept the capsule theme going by revolving the whole show around love and community. ‘I make clothes for humans’, he said to Vogue ahead of the show, ‘It’s very inspired by the love and support of the people here that I’ve just been blessed to be able to experience’. He even included his confidants inside the collection, with Rihanna being the face of the campaign and the clothes referencing Tyler The Creator’s signature preppy look.

The Phieces

And now on to the actual clothes. The runway opened with a neutral, boxy suit preliminary for the increasingly quirky and detailed looks that followed. Center stage was the LV Damier checkerboard, reinterpreted everywhere from leather biker jackets to fur coats. Pharrell also focused heavily on bags and introduced the ‘Damouflage pattern’, a digitized camo print that inspires thoughts of Minecraft.

Overall, the collection was an organized haphazard mix of vastly different aesthetics. Slick tailored pieces contrasted baggier clothes, and 70s flared trousers debuted alongside pearl-embedded tracksuits. Truly no style was left behind: there were leather football shirts, watch chain jewelry, camouflage parkas, and even a golf cart filled to the brim with LV trunks. The Vuitton logo was everywhere, with additional “LV Lovers” graphics plastered on both female and male models. There’s no doubt that a collage of so many opposing styles shouldn’t fit together; yet somehow Williams made it work.

The Phuture

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At the end of the show, Pharrell took a standing ovation in a ‘Damouflage’ patterned jacket and trousers, sweetly bringing out the Louis Vuitton design team to honor the community behind his debut (very on theme if you ask us). After such a grandiose presentation, the fashion industry is already wondering what the entertainment mogul is bringing to the table next. If his opening show is any hint, we can expect more statement bags, ‘Damouflage’ everywhere, break-the-internet moments, and a lot of celebrity power. The ‘phuture’ is Pharrell, and we’re all here for it.

_{Words by Alexia De Las Heras}

^{Header Image: @Louis Vuitton Instagram}

The post The Pharrellification Of Louis Vuitton appeared first on Voir Fashion.

Pharrell has been reluctant to share any glimpses into the upcoming collection, which will be unveiled via a private runway show on the opening day of Paris Men’s Fashion Week, June 20th. The show will mark five years since Virgil Abloh, the last person to hold the role, presented his debut Louis Vuitton collection at the Palais Royal. 

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Our first sneak peek— if you can describe a ginormous billboard as such— is a blown-up photograph of Rihanna plastered on the side of the Musée d’Orsay this Thursday, overlooking the Seine. In the image, a very pregnant Rihanna sports her signature unbuttoned shirt, accentuating her bump, and carries a takeaway coffee and four primary-coloured Louis Vuitton monogram bags. Her leather shirt features a pixelated pattern reminiscent of Louis Vuitton’s classic Damier print, and she pairs it with smart black trousers and two diamond necklaces. In a photo shared on Instagram, Pharrell poses in front of the billboard wearing a similar all-black outfit to match his muse. 

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Pharrell and Rihanna go way back, collaborating on the song Lemon in 2017, and are rumoured to be working together again for her next album. Rihanna also has connections to LVMH, the French luxury conglomerate behind Louis Vuitton and Fenty’s beauty, skin, and (formerly) fashion lines. 

We are sure that the opening show will be a star-studded event, with Pharrell utilising his connections from the fashion and music industries. A true jack of all trades, Pharrell has won 13 Grammy awards, been nominated twice for an Academy award, and won the CFDA’s Fashion Icon Award in 2015. His predecessor, Virgil, was also a polymath— a qualified engineer, architect, DJ, and creator of the designer label Off White. 

Louis Vuitton welcomed Pharrell ‘home’, with his journey alongside the company beginning in 2004 when he designed the iconic ‘Millionaire’ sunglasses and another collab in 2008. He was also Chanel’s first male fashion ambassador and designed a collection with them, as well as creating a fragrance line with Comme des Garçons, a handbag line with Moynat, and sunglasses with Tiffany. He created the streetwear brand Billionaire Boys Club and its sister brand Ice Cream Footwear, and co-founded Bionic Yarn in 2010, a fibre made from recycled plastic bottles found in the sea. His most notable fashion collab is a long-term partnership between his HUMANRACE brand and Adidas, reimagining 2023’s It-Shoe—the Samba— in bright block colours.

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We can expect to see a lot of streetwear and pop culture influences in his collection, with Hemant Kalbag of Alvarez & Marsal Consumer Retail Group telling Forbes that “Pharrell will help keep LV relevant to the next generation of LV customers”. He will be able to tap into the multifaceted aspect of Louis Vuitton, blending the past, present, and future and potentially collaborating with some of our favourite streetwear brands. 

_{Written By Lucy Walshe}

^{Header Image: @pharrell Instagram}

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Pharrell Williams is the most recent star to submerse himself deep in the ever-growing ocean of celebrity cosmetic lines. In such a competitive industry—with such a already-saturated environment—it takes a lot to make a line of beauty products seem necessary. Well, Pharrell has done just that. Here’s what we know.

Pharrell has stated that he’s been into skincare since his mid-twenties, and would use skincare as an excuse to talk to female models. During this time, the music mogul became increasingly interested in looking after his own skin and ended up seeing a dermatologist, Elena Jones, who looked after his skin. Elena has stated that Pharrell wanted explanations for all of the products she would recommend.

This curiosity has surely paid off for the forty-seven-year-old musician as he will release his debut skincare line, Humanrace, on November 25th. The brand takes a minimal and modern approach to skincare, with a philosophy of: prepare, repair, protect—by using three simple products to fulfill each action.

The bespoke skincare line has three products, encapsulated within a clean and earthy packaging. The products include Rice Powder Cleanser ($32), Lotus Enzyme Exfoliator ($46) and a Humidifying Cream ($48). The three products each perform a unique and individual treatment to the skin, embracing the simplicity of a minimal skincare routine.

The rice powder is going to cleanse your skin, prepping it for the delivery of the two following ingredients. The formula arrives as a powder and becomes a milk when in contact with water. The AHA-rich formula removes dead skin and gives you a fresh, bright completion. The Lotus Enzyme Exfoliant—packed with glycolic acid—helps cell regeneration of the skin. The Humidifying Cream is inspired by the humid climate Pharrell grew up in and hydrates the skin while locking moisture.

The aesthetic of Willams skincare is inspired by his adoration for Japanese culture and the beauty and craftsmanship of their pottery. In a world full of celebrity cosmetic lines, it’s refreshing to see someone have so much knowledge and input into the creation of their product. Pharrell’s skincare line will be available in a bundle for $100 on humanrace.com

Words by Luke Nolan, Graphics by Victoria Zhao

The post Pharrell Williams Has Released a Gender-Neutral Skincare Line, and We’re Here For It appeared first on Voir Fashion.

Designed to honour the release of the 25th instalment of the legendary fictional spy agent, James Bond; No Time to Die sparks the newest concept of the Adidas ultraBOOST. While both products are due for an early April release, to celebrate the new upcoming collections; We have compiled the ultimate list of the previous best celebrity sneaker collabs, the top 10 to be exact.

10). Donald Glover x Adidas

At number ten we have Donald Glover’s collab with Adidas in April 2019. The company came together with director and musician on remastered designs of the Continental 80, the Nizza and the Lacombe. Not the most outlandish design within the top ten, but makes the list based on adaptability and minimalistic nature.

9). Cardi B x Reebok

In early 2019, new rap princess Cardi B coupled up Aztrek sneakers to endorse their new retro-influenced shoes. With Cardi’s music at the time being motivated by the old school style, this collab was perfect; from the vintage blocky design to the dynamic colourway.

8). G Dragon x Airforce 1

Number eight features K-pop idol G-Dragon’s endeavour with a remake of Nike’s classic Air Force 1. Cleverly tagged with his clothing line’s flower emblem, the “Para-noise” shoes represent a collaboration in its truest sense, making this meshing of formulas one of the decade’s most memorable.

7). Alexander Wang x Adidas

The last of three collections between Adidas Originals and designer Alexander Wang during 2017. While another fashion brand succumbs to the gentrification of skate style isn’t the most innovative; but with inspired colourways like woodsy brown, it was the forest meets the concrete jungle.

6). Vivienne Westwood x Asics

The creative combination of designer Vivienne Westwood and sports corporation Asics hooked up to create an exclusive selection of a dozen shoe designs that dropped in the space of a couple of months. The 2019 releases aimed at legacy tennis shoes,

reinforced by dynamic artwork and faint features. While all hit retailers worldwide, you’d be lucky to find a pair of these in your local shops.

5). Serena Williams x Nike

Queen of sport, Serena Williams completed her comeback for Wimbledon in style with the release of her new Off-White Nike trainers back in mid-2018. The NIKEiD style inspired cleats were painted with pink from top to bottom, straightforward, sleek yet inspirational.

4). Anna Wintour x Nike

The iconic Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour came together with her current brand to remaster the classic Air Jordan 1s. The pair was not only the first AJ1 design to include a female adaptation, but also with Wintour’s backing, the shoe displayed its own emblem of “Edited by Vogue” to represent Wintour the right way.

3). Kendrick Lamar x Reebok

The hookup between Hip-Hop superstar Kendrick Lamar and Reebok started in early 2015. Of course, each drop is interlaced with a strong meaning, much like his music, with colourways normally matching themes against gang violence; each trainer implements conflicting blue and red marks. Even though the shoe is clean, the message of the sneakers bumps it up to third on the list.

2). Pharrell x Puma

Back in 2016, NMDs was one of the most fashionable sneakers around, so it was no surprise that when the word was out that a team-up with Pharrell could be in the works, the anticipation around the drop was immense. With a particular, thick lacing structure within the middle, not to mention the jazzy irregular pattern design of the words “species” and “being”. Much like Lamar’s shoes previously, the aim of this release was not just to design a dapper sneaker, but to promote a far-reaching message.

1). Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1

Just off of this Collab alone, Travis Scott is already one of the biggest celebrity’s in fashion as of today. While he has a tough battle on his hands to beat Virgil and Kanye to the number one spot, but much like Abloh and Yeezy, he has the Midas touch right now, whether it’s in music or fashion, which creates even more assurance to his validity within the creative field as a partner in business. Scott and the Jordan brand are a perfect mesh, we would expect more great things to come from these two as a collective as the year progresses.

Words by Charlie Miller

Graphics by Mehak Jotwani

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Recently, D.C. rapper Goldlink angered the rap community after posting a letter on his Instagram about the deceased Mac Miller, implying that Miller stole the theme for his album The Divine Feminine in 2016. While the ‘Crew’ rapper displayed extraordinary disrespect by publicizing his resentment for a man who passed away just last year; I feel like this was a great time to brush aside the foolishness and highlight the positivity, celebrating what The Divine Feminine represents in Hip-Hop, which is a definitive phase of expression within the artform’s relatively short life.

Over the years, the combination of the genre’s growth — along with the internet’s addiction to transparency, has caused the new generation growing through social media to welcome more unique concepts; often describing themselves as ‘woke’ in the process. Subjects such as gender fluidity, feminism, and masculinity, are normally involved. I’ve noticed specific instances of ignorance that surround the topic of masculinity — like the restriction from wearing ‘feminine clothing’; while now a person’s sense of comfortability is perceived as a positive characteristic, coming from the 90s at the time that I did, it couldn’t have been more different.

Although I credit the ability to be free down to social media’s acceptance, I tip my hat off to the impact Hip-Hop has on cultures throughout the world and the complete clarity the genre has provided since its creation (let us not forget, Hip-Hop was created as a way of expression for the black communities struggle in the Bronx). So with that being said; I want to celebrate the influence of Hip-Hop and how the evolution of femininity has impacted the new generation, by picking out the most impactful examples of pink in rap.

It’s 2002, the height of the Dipset era and the Roc-A-Fella dynasty — the city of New York is hosting the biggest fashion event of the year, the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. The foresight of Label boss Dame Dash and the ingenuity of Cam’ron was always a combination that produced magic; So there was no surprise that with the help of Dash, the Dipset commander pulled up in one of the most legendary fits to ever grace Hip-Hop: the illustrious pink mink jacket, along with the hat and burner phone. As both Dash and Cam were born and raised in the fashion-focused neighbourhood of Harlem; the influence was clear to see at the moment. While most people from their area were used to the abrasiveness of the duo, within the wider scope of Hip-Hop — it was a statement, to say the least. Ever since then, the idea of what femininity represented, spread throughout Hip-Hop.

A few years later, Cam’ron’s label mate; Kanye West, popularised a new kind of pink style to the mainstream. A much more conventional proclamation, Kanye would normally rock a pink polo with a classy backpack to match. Not only was this merge important to the extension of the movement led by Cam, but more importantly — this verified Kanye as the influence for the geeks, as opposed to Cam’s influence on the streets. Because of this diversification, this continued to bring even more conversation surrounding Hip-Hop and it’s identity.

Moving towards the late 2000s, Kanye continued to lift pink rap to new heights. This was the era in Hip-Hop where the nerdy rap was dominating the gangsta rap; Kanye West had just convincingly beaten 50 Cent to the number one spot with his album Graduation – the album that is infamous for it’s powerful, intense colouration. The transition was in motion.

And because of Hip-Hop tycoon, Pharrell’s love for intense colour styles and powerful visuals with brands like Bape, to name a few – it helped these combos crossover into the streetwear world. And by the end of the decade, it would be hard to find a guy without a pink polo in his wardrobe. As the new decade began, the surprising amalgamation of up and coming, contemporary streetwear brand Supreme, and the profound new suburban rap crew, Odd Future, hit the wide-eyed internet world by storm. As Tyler, the Creator and his squad took over 2010; this was the beginning of pre-teens involvement within mainstream rap. While the group’s own fashion line Golf Wang epitomized the crew’s sarcastic wit; the ignorant motifs complemented the dynamic undertones displayed on the ensembles perfectly — from lime to magenta, and indeed pink. Odd Future embodied the new era, fusing Hip-Hop, fashion, and their own originality; allowing people from anywhere to connect with their vision.

Tyler even said in his 2016 note to Pharrell, proclaiming the influence he took from the Virginia native: “I never had brothers, uncles or my father around so thank you [Pharrel] for being the male figure I gravitated towards. Allowing me to embrace being different and trusting my ideas.” While men in previous decades would rather be caught dead in some coral clothing, guys like Tyler embrace their uniqueness. Even though Hip-Hop was built on these very same morals; it’s refreshing to see how the integrity has always been there, at the same time — continuing to grow into the culture-crossing genre it is today; whilst simultaneously co-existing within the unforgiving world of modern technology and ‘cancel culture’.

Words by Charlie Miller

Graphics by Katie Janes

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Whether it be Pharrell Williams collaborating with Chanel for his SS19 urban capsule collection, Kanye West dominating upmarket footwear sales with Yeezy Season 8 or A$AP Rocky starring in Calvin Klein’s, ‘I Speak My Truth’ campaign, the current prominence of hip-hop in luxury fashion is undeniable.

Hip-hop has had a historic captivation with high-end fashion, with Dapper Dan’s counterfeit Louis Vuitton and Gucci tracksuits stylising the genre throughout the 80s and early acts such as Big Daddy Kane and LL Cool J sporting brands such as Le Coq Sportif and Kangol. Despite this, it is only in the last decade that such interest has been reciprocated by the industry’s most prestigious brands. Although, that is not to ignore the several successful fashion collaborations hip-hop has had, with Run-DMC’s $1 million endorsement deal with Adidas being the earliest example of this. What it does show is that there has been a cultural shift in the way hip-hop and its unique style is viewed by society.

Before the turn of the century the East/West Coast rap rivalry, N.W.A’s gangster self- identification and the killings of popular artists, Tupac, Biggie Smalls and Fat Pat, meant that hip-hop had an image of both deviance and danger that no high-class brand of sophistication and elegance would want to be associated.

But when Nielsen Music published that rap had surpassed rock to become the most popular music genre in the U.S, with a 24.5% share in music consumption, the resistance that luxury wear once held against hip-hop soon evaporated. Many artists not only became the face of upmarket brands, such as A$AP Rocky and Dior, but also began to compete with such companies by developing their own fashion lines, such as Pharrell Williams’ Billionaire Boys Club, Tyler the Creator’s Golf Wang, Lil Wayne’s Trukfit and Kanye West’s Yeezy collection. And with the likes of Lil Uzi Vert stating, “ Honestly, I think I do this [fashion] better than music,” in his interview with GQ, this current trend shows no signs of slowing down.

The commercial appeal of hip-hop’s expressive street style can be traced back to the genre’s former roots as the ‘outsider’. Without the pressures of being taken seriously and receiving expert industrial criticism the fashion that evolved out of hip-hop had a certain sense of freedom and eccentricity to the way it was both designed and styled. This is a distinctive feature that has remained to this day, where the notion of ‘menswear’ is becoming ever transparent as contemporary rappers continue to experiment with traditionally feminine accessories, such as purses, nail polish and crop tops.

Given that hip-hop is now at the peak of its existence, in terms of mainstream popularity, it is no surprise that both leading labels and artists themselves are capitalising on this synergy between the two industries. The question then remains, has hip-hop cemented its place in high- brow culture? Or will the over-commercialisation of the genre’s street apparel be to the demise of its popularity?

Words by Charlie Malcolm-Mckay

Graphics by Araceli Alonso

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