From its humble beginnings as a small skateboarding brand in downtown New York City to becoming a global phenomenon with a cult following, Supreme streetwear has undergone a remarkable evolution. With its iconic red and white box logo and limited-edition drops, Supreme has captured the imagination of streetwear enthusiasts around the world.
What sets Supreme apart from other streetwear brands is its ability to blend elements of high fashion with the grit and authenticity of urban culture. The brand's collaborations with prominent artists, designers, and musicians have helped propel it to mainstream popularity while maintaining its underground appeal.
Supreme's success can be attributed to its strategic marketing tactics and strong brand identity. By creating scarcity through limited product releases and carefully cultivating its brand image, Supreme has built a loyal following that eagerly lines up for each drop.
As Supreme continues to push boundaries and transcend traditional notions of streetwear, its influence can be felt not only in fashion but also in popular culture. Whether it's collaborating with Louis Vuitton or incorporating unexpected designs, Supreme remains at the forefront of the streetwear movement.
Today, Supreme is not just a brand; it's a symbol of exclusivity, creativity, and self-expression. Its journey from a niche skateboarding label to a global cultural phenomenon is a testament to the power of authenticity and passion.
In the early 1990s, Supreme was founded by James Jebbia in the heart of New York's skateboarding scene. The brand started as a small store selling skateboards, apparel, and accessories to a niche group of skateboarders and downtown locals. However, it quickly gained traction with its unique approach to streetwear.
Supreme's early success can be attributed to its authenticity and connection to the skateboarding culture. The brand's designs were heavily influenced by the urban landscape and the rebellious spirit of skateboarding. This resonated with the skaters who saw Supreme as more than just a clothing brand, but a representation of their lifestyle.
As Supreme gained popularity within the skateboarding community, it began to attract attention from a wider audience. People were drawn to the brand's bold designs, quality craftsmanship, and limited availability. Supreme's reputation as an exclusive and sought-after brand started to take shape.
What sets Supreme apart from other streetwear brands is its ability to create a sense of exclusivity and scarcity. The brand's limited-edition drops, where a small number of items are released periodically, have become highly anticipated events among streetwear enthusiasts. Supreme has mastered the art of creating hype around its products, with fans lining up for hours or even camping out overnight to get their hands on the latest releases.
Supreme's cult following extends beyond its loyal customer base. Celebrities, athletes, and fashion influencers have all been spotted wearing Supreme, further fueling its popularity. The brand's collaborations with prominent artists and designers have also played a significant role in building its reputation. From Louis Vuitton to The North Face, Supreme's partnerships have elevated its status and widened its appeal.
A key aspect of Supreme's success lies in its collaborations and limited-edition releases. By partnering with influential figures in the worlds of art, music, and fashion, Supreme has been able to tap into different markets and attract a diverse range of customers.
Supreme's collaborations are often characterized by unexpected pairings. Whether it's teaming up with legendary photographers like Nan Goldin or working with iconic brands like Comme des Garçons, Supreme consistently pushes the boundaries of streetwear. These collaborations not only create buzz but also add value to Supreme's products, making them highly sought after by collectors and fashion enthusiasts.
The limited availability of Supreme's products adds to their allure. Each new drop generates immense excitement, with fans eagerly awaiting the announcement of the next release. This scarcity creates a sense of urgency and exclusivity, driving up demand and ensuring that Supreme's products sell out quickly.
Supreme's influence extends beyond the realm of streetwear. The brand has successfully blurred the lines between high fashion and urban culture, bridging the gap between luxury and street style. Its collaborations with luxury brands like Louis Vuitton have challenged traditional notions of exclusivity, bringing high-end fashion to a wider audience.
Supreme's impact on pop culture cannot be overstated. The brand's logo has become a symbol of authenticity and coolness, with its red and white box logo being instantly recognizable. Supreme's association with skateboarding, music, and art has made it a favorite among celebrities and trendsetters, solidifying its status as a cultural icon.
While Supreme's roots are firmly planted in New York City, the brand has successfully expanded its reach to international markets. Today, Supreme has stores in major cities around the world, including Tokyo, London, and Paris. This global presence has allowed Supreme to tap into different fashion scenes and connect with a diverse range of customers.
However, despite its global expansion, Supreme has managed to maintain its underground appeal. The brand's limited product releases and exclusive collaborations ensure that its products remain highly coveted and hard to come by. This strategy has helped Supreme retain its aura of exclusivity, even as it enters new markets and reaches a wider audience.
In addition to its physical stores, Supreme has also built a strong online presence. The brand's website serves as a hub for its loyal fanbase, providing updates on new releases, collaborations, and events. Supreme's online store has become a destination for streetwear enthusiasts, offering a seamless shopping experience and exclusive online-only drops.
Supreme's e-commerce success can be attributed to its ability to create a sense of community and exclusivity online. The brand's use of social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter has allowed it to engage with its customers and build anticipation around upcoming releases. Supreme's online presence has also facilitated its expansion into new markets, as fans from all over the world can now access and purchase its products with ease.
Despite the rise of online shopping, Supreme has remained committed to its brick-and-mortar retail strategy. The brand's flagship stores, located in key cities, serve as physical manifestations of the Supreme experience. These stores are designed to reflect the brand's aesthetic and create an immersive shopping environment.
Supreme's retail strategy goes beyond just selling products. The brand regularly hosts events, collaborations, and art installations in its stores, further cementing its status as a cultural hub. Supreme's physical stores provide an opportunity for fans to connect with the brand on a deeper level and experience the essence of Supreme firsthand.
As Supreme continues to evolve and push boundaries, its future looks promising. The brand's ability to adapt to changing trends and collaborate with new artists and designers ensures that it remains relevant in the ever-evolving world of fashion. Supreme's unique blend of streetwear and high fashion has set it apart from its competitors, and this innovative approach will likely continue to drive its success.
Supreme's expansion into new markets and its online presence will also play a crucial role in shaping its future. As the brand continues to reach a global audience, it will need to balance its underground appeal with the demands of a larger customer base. Supreme's ability to maintain its authenticity and exclusivity while catering to a wider market will be key to its continued growth.
Supreme's journey from a niche skateboarding label to a global cultural phenomenon is a testament to the power of authenticity and passion. The brand's ability to create hype, push boundaries, and cultivate a strong community has set it apart from its competitors. Supreme's impact on streetwear, fashion, and popular culture cannot be overstated, and its evolution from a small skateboarding brand to a global phenomenon is a testament to its enduring appeal. As Supreme continues to innovate and captivate audiences around the world, its influence on the streetwear movement will undoubtedly continue to grow.
If you're new into the Indian Streetwear culture, then read this article first: Streetwear India: State of the Culture to understand this article better!
This article has been written for the purpose of guiding you through the Indian Streetwear market: the different streetwear brands, the subcultures they represent, what they are famous for, and how expensive they are.
I have summarized the information in the following table for to easily understand it. However, highly suggest reading the whole article to really get to know the brands better. Doing so will help you know the brand better as well as help you associate with the culture you want to be a part of. After all, at its core, streetwear is about self-expression.
Name | Sub-culture | What to buy? | Price |
Jaywalking | Art, Edgy, Bold | Graphic Tees, Utility Pants, Jackets | $$ |
Almost Gods | Art, Innovation, High Street | Graphic Tees, Bucket Hats, Individual pieces | $$$ |
Halo Effect | Innovation, Japanese Culture | Reflective Tees, Tie-Dye Reflectives | $ |
Delhiwear | Indo-western fusion streetwear | Vardis, Pants | $$ |
Strey | Counter Culture, Animal Welfare | Graphic Tees, Joggers, Bags | $$ |
Bhaane | Self-Expression | Basics | $$ |
VegNonVeg | Sneaker Culture | Nike, Adidas, Reebok, Fila, Jordans | $$ |
Kollab | Dance Culture | Loose Tees & Sweatpants | $$ |
Infected Clothing | Underground Street culture | Graphic Tees | $ |
BOMAACHI | Self-expression | Tie Dyes, Reflectives | $ |
FEKKI | - | Graphic Tees | $$ |
Jaywalking is a streetwear based fashion house founded by Jay Jajal. "Jaywalking is dangerous. It is for people who aren't scared to cross the line and prove a point. It is for people that believe in art and culture." - Jay Jajal
In my opinion, Jaywalking has established itself as the premium streetwear brand in the country. Jay's quirkiness, attitude and experimental style is expressed very well in his designs.
High Snobiety, Vogue, and various other big publications have sung his praises, making Jaywalking one of the few streetwear brands that are garnering attention in the western fashion market.
Almost Gods, a New Delhi-based streetwear line, focuses on the ties between art and streetwear. Aiming to spread the umbrella of their brand all over the world, their roots lie in India's different subcultures. They model themselves as innovators who want to push the boundaries of cut, silhouette, and material innovation.
The "Garden of Earthly Desires Jacket" by Almost Gods (Photo Credit: Official Instagram of Almost Gods @almost_gods)
Their designs are inspired by different art forms and their first collection "The Garden of Earthly Desires" explores different prints of flora and fauna representative of that garden. In our opinion, they are the closest thing to a western high street brand that we have seen in terms of their style and look.
Halo Effect has made it's way into the streetwear scene very recently but they are definitely leaving an impact.
Their quality of material, designs and price point have made them very popular, very fast.
Their reflective t-shirts, bold graphics, and relatable slogans with a touch of Japanese culture make them super unique.
We have soon huge praises from our clients in our retail store of their products and is a brand I'd highly recommend myself.
If you'd like to see their products: Halo Effect – 10 Hills Studio
Strey was formed in 2017 in an attempt to create a 'Counter Culture' that goes against the grain of cultural norms. They are attempting to create a "subculture with values and norms that differ substantially from our mainstream society." Their designs are inspired by keen observations of Mumbai, where they are based out of. Consistent with their theme, their garments have heavy graphics, complex embroideries, and bold designs that have a rebellious undertone.
From Strey's Save the Planet Collection (Photo Credit: Strey)
Delhiwear, started by Harkrishan Alag and Tarandeep Singh, aims to build a community that wishes to "spread the word about the Indian culture and streetwear."
Vardi by Delhiwear (Photo Credit: Delhiwear)
As a result, they have created their own subculture surrounding ethnic infused streetwear taking elements from each for inspiration. Their Vardi's are a great example of combining ethnic apparel with streetwear. These street-styled Kurtas were made off a vision they had to "create a uniform without contemplating the outfit of the day." This idea of using simple silhouettes combined with a slight street-style edge is what their brand is all about.
Bhaane's culture is all about self-expression and providing silhouettes and cuts that aren't imprinted by any logos. Their reason for doing so is that they don't want to "be recognised not by its letters or by a symbol but by its aesthetic, it's quality and the overall emotion of our brand." Believing in the importance of a touch-feel experience, they opened their first concept store in Meherchand Market in New Delhi. Their store also contains a cafe where they regularly host events to create a culture around self-expression and embracement.
Photo Credit: Official Instagram of Bhaane @bhaane
Started by the creators of Bhaane, VegNonVeg is the first multi-brand sneaker store in India. They host a curated selection ranging from classic to heritage of the most famous sneaker brands in the world such as Nike, Adidas, Puma, New Balance, Fila and many others. They're at the forefront of sneaker culture in the country and are doing a heck of a job at creating a narrative for India's sneaker culture.
Reebok Classics at VegNonVeg (Photo Credit: Official Instagram account of VegNonVeg - @vegnonveg)
Pronounced "ODEGAM", Haut De Gamme explores the subcultures of pop and high-street. They have various categories of products but their hand-painted jackets and jeans stand out. The hand-painted designs tastefully draw inspiration from popular culture and are truly unique pieces of clothing. Also, look out for their graphic tees which are both funny and rebellious at the same time.
Haut De Gamme Fanny Pack (Photo Credit: Official Instagram of Haute De Gamme - @hautdegammeclothing)
Kollab, based in Kolkata, draws inspiration from hip-hop and skate cultures. Their striped tees and joggers are fantastic to dance in, and they're slowly gaining popularity in the underground music scene in India.
Kollab Dancing Star Kimono (Photo Credit: Official Instagram of Kollab - @kollablifestyle)
Infected clothing was started by Hritik and Tarun from Mumbai. They are self-taught graphic designers and illustrators whose foremost focus is to create complex, edgy, underground designs.
"Infected will always be a freestyle brand. We cannot pre-conceptualize a project. We are all about creative freedom. We cant force our-self to create a design, we will literally put anything out at any time. But we can assure you that will be delivering flawless quality pieces which are ranged in such manner that everyone could afford it. Infected is about the cult and if people know the worth they won't waste a second to be a part of it." - Infected Clothing interview by @sadboys
Their latest collection - "Destined to suffer" explores an underlying mood and attitude that define the modern Indian youth.
You can shop their latest collection here: Infected Clothing – 10 Hills Studio
The brand is all about breaking stereotypes, culture barriers, and prioritizes being yourself. "Be real, raw, and weird. You have to establish who you want to be in this life. Don't be who they tell you to be." - Prince from BOMAACHI
Being one's self is extremely important these days and they preach that through their clothing.
Their play with different washed fabrics, tie-dyes, and reflective have shown they are always trying to push innovation and the extent in which their designs can go.
We have their latest collection in store here: Bomaachi – 10 Hills Studio
When asked about whether or not they'd like to make a statement about their brand, they said that they prefer to let the customer judge.
So here's some of their latest collection that we have stocked in our retail space: Fekki – 10 Hills Studio
The streetwear space in the country is growing very rapidly and there are many other brands that I've probably missed out. Some honorable mentions are: HUEMN, RISING AMONG, SIX5SIX STREET, WARPING THEORIES, VINTAGE STOCKHOUSE STUDIOS. I'll be writing more about them very soon.
Note: If you feel like we've left out anyone then do write a comment on this thread to notify us and we'll update our article. Cheers!
]]>Analyze the words "street" and "culture".It is easy to conclude that it deals with a variety of sub-cultures that take the form "in the streets".
The streets created many subcultures but which subculture birthed Streetwear?
]]>I for one have a tough time explaining to someone who has never heard of Streetwear and what it means.
Defining Streetwear is difficult. This is because of the complicated ingredients that have gone into making it what it is today.
Analyze the words "street" and "culture". It is easy to conclude that it deals with a variety of sub-cultures that take the form "in the streets".
The streets created many subcultures but which subculture birthed Streetwear?
Many people try to attribute Streetwear as a product of hip hop. However, that is not the most accurate way of describing its origins. If anything, streetwear's origins stem from the skate and surf subculture in L.A. in the early 1980s.
Shawn Stussy, the owner of Stussy, founded the first ever Streetwear brand. Stussy was the result of his vision of combining fashion with art and self-expression. Using a do-it-yourself mindset, the brand gained exposure from surf, skate and hip hop. These brand characteristics created a massive youth following.
Streetwear was born out of the youth's growing need to express themselves. A way to differentiate their true selves, ideas, and beliefs. Stussy was the first outlet of Streetwear's self-expressive regime.
Before starting Stussy, Shawn had made his name in the surf culture as a surfboard designer. At the start of Stussy, he would sell printed t-shirts from the back of his car. As the brands' popularity increased, it made its way into boutiques.
Stussy's exponential growth inspired many other Streetwear brands. These new streetwear brands infused DIY aesthetic of punk, metal and hip hop. The new Streetwear brands were different but used the same foundation pillars. Those of exclusivity and self-expression. These foundation pillars became the basis for the judgment of future Streetwear brands.
Today, Streetwear brands have evolved from only t-shirts to a wide range of products. Some even argue that it has changed from its origins into something new. Something different.
One thing is for certain, and that is Shawn Stussy's importance in the roots of Streetwear.
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Contents
During the 1800s, preshrunk fabrics had not come to existence so the denim that was available was weaved completely from cotton. Cotton shrinks in water and people at the time were aware of this. So they would buy jeans that were larger and longer. Eventually, a few washes later, the jeans would take its intended shape. But before that happened, they would wear the jeans with the leg opening turned up.
Over time, the cuff was used by different people as storage areas. Cowboys who spent many hours on the saddle used the cuffs as a storage space for their tobacco pouch or box of cigarettes as they would be easily accessible without having to get off the horse. High school boys would use the cuffs as extra pockets to store small things such as candy, coins, and pencils.
By the 1960s, preshrunk jeans had come on to the scene and the skinny fit had removed a need for cuffing jeans. Yet, the explosion of vintage styles in the 1990s brought back the cuff look in a major way. Once, used for functional reasons, it had now become a style statement.
Today cuffing your jeans is important for multiple reasons. Here are some of the reasons you might want to cuff your jeans:
Technically, you can cuff any jeans, however, we recommend cuffing jeans that have some taper towards the end. Boot-cut or wide style jeans can also be cuffed, but they don’t have the same effect as their tapered counterparts.
The Simple Roll is the most versatile way of cuffing your jeans as it can be used for different kinds of jeans.
Instructions:
Start with straightening the bottom of jeans. Then from the hem, make one fold up which is roughly 2-3 inches in width. Flatten the cuff. Then take the hem from the top of the cuff and fold it towards the leg so that the hem is hidden from the front view. Make the necessary adjustments to keep the cuff smooth.
The Skinny Roll works best with tighter jeans. This one is my personal favorite because it is the easiest to do.
Instructions:
Start with straightening the bottom of your jeans. Then from the hemmed seam at the bottom of the jeans, make a thin single fold upwards. Flatten the cuff. Then make another fold upwards of the same width. Make the necessary adjustments to flatten the cuff.
Note: If you think you need more than two folds than we suggest you do the needful.
Perhaps, the most fashionable way to cuff your jeans is the pin roll method.
Note: A word of caution - try to avoid this method with bulky sneakers of boots.
Instructions:
Pinch an inch of the fabric between the thumb and forefinger on the instep side of the jeans, such that it is snug against your ankle. Then make a fold towards you. Make sure the pinch is under the fold. Then make a second fold upwards. Make the necessary adjustments and you are good to go.
The above instructions might have been complicated so I’ve included a video tutorial that shows you the best way to pin roll.
Use this method for heavyweight canvas jeans. I really like
Instructions:
Start with straightening the bottom of your jeans. Then take the bottom hem of your jeans and make a large cuff of around 5 inches in width. Feel free to make it larger. Smooth out the cuff and you’re done.
Conclusion
Don't miss out on an easy way to enhance your style and functionality with any of the above cuffing methods.
]]>Choosing the right font can sometimes be overwhelming. There are so many fonts out there. So, which ones should you choose?
]]>This is probably the best way to describe how a brand's typography can create an emotional response out of someone.
When creating a brand's identity, its typography is extremely important. Yet, many companies fail at doing so. The personality or vibe of a brand or product can be expressed through its typography. For example, you don't want to have a boring or romantic font as a streetwear brand. It is important to figure out what you want your brand or product to represent and choose an appropriate font that showcases that.
Table of Contents:
Choosing the right font can sometimes be overwhelming. There are so many fonts out there. So, which ones should you choose? Below are a few tips that will help you get started.
Now we look at some of my favorite fonts that streetwear companies have used to create an elusive brand image.
It is impossible not to discuss the Supreme font when discussing memorable streetwear fonts. Supreme is the most popular streetwear brand in the world, and a lot of their success comes from their logo. The Supreme logo uses Futura STD Heavy Oblique font in white color on a red background, and many of their best selling products are designed around their famous boxed logo. However, it is not a surprise that the Supreme font is well loved. It is simple, bold, and exudes an air of exclusivity. All of the things, the brand is about.
Nike and Louis Vuitton also use different variations of the Futura STD font. You won't go wrong with its simplicity, readability, and boldness.
Create your own logo with the Supreme font using font meme's generator here >>
Variations of the next font are used by HBA, Saint Laurent, Comme Des Garcon, Raf Simons, and many other Luxury brands.
The Helvetica Neue falls into the Sans-Serif font family and is famous for its neutral typeface that has great clarity and simplicity.
This is a pretty great font to use if you're using it for your brand name. I suggest you choose a bold variant for your streetwear brand, to give it extra beef.
It is also great to use with other fonts for harmony because of its neutrality.
You can download different variations of the font here >>
The Old English font family has made a massive resurgence through streetwear. Whether it has been through the Life of Pablo merch or Vetements, Blackletter fonts are everywhere in the streetwear market. It has a history with affiliations to LA gang culture and is the reason for its edgy perception.
You should try this font on your apparel designs to see if it's the vibe your brand is trying to exude. I especially love this font on the back of t-shirts and sleeves.
You can create your own Old English font logo or design here >>
Conclusion
We have also created a Pinterest board that you can use as an additional resource on the different types of fonts that we addressed in this article.
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Streetwear culture in this discussion is the culture that started with its roots in Californian surf and skate culture. However, it soon outgrew its roots as it picked up different elements from various subcultures that embraced them such as sportswear, hip-hop, punk, Japanese street fashion, and modern-day Haute culture. The general consensus is that streetwear is more than just clothes-it is about being part of a community that believes in a certain lifestyle. It is a representation of people’s feelings, what they listen to, what they eat, and what they spend their money on. It is through this lens that I aim to view the streetwear culture in India and its current state.
Table of Contents:
It seems to me that most people in India have found streetwear through the influence of Hip-hop. The growing subculture of Hip-hop is slowly finding itself into mainstream music. I was pleasantly surprised to come back to find that most of my friends from high-school were listening to Hip-hop. Many nightclubs, now, have a designated Hip-hop night, and even in clubs primarily playing Bollywood music, play the occasional song from Drake, Kendrick, and the Migos. Hip-hop from America is still largely underground. Indian artists such as Baadshah and Honey Singh have managed to infuse Hip-Hop with elements of Punjabi and Indian instrumentals, creating a new wave of music - Desi Hip-Hop. Desi Hip-hop in the form of Punjabi rap and Hindi rap have slowly made their way into mainstream Bollywood. I, personally, think one of the main reasons for this has been the mentality of the youth. India is largely a young country, and its youth appears to be angry. The anger stems from the suppression of ideas and expression, by the older conservative generations who are still in charge. There is a growing sense of people who no longer want to be restricted by what their uncles have to say. Punjabi and Hindi rap has connected with the youth because of how expressive it is. It talks about all of the things that have been historically taboo in the country-alcohol, partying, drugs, and sex. Young people are opening up, and becoming more expressive. As a result, fashion has been more expressive. More and more men have started wearing ripped jeans, colorful jackets, chains, and oversized clothes. This is great progress in a country where polo t-shirts were the norm.
Bollywood has also traditionally taken a conservative approach towards content. Romantic comedies and action films have largely dominated the market. However, of late there has been a growing diversification of content because of its changing audience. The youth want something new, something representative of its generation and its emotions. This is why Zoya Akhtar’s new movie ‘Gully Boy’ starred by Ranveer Singh, comes at a great time. The trailer gave me goosebumps and within a few days already has millions of views. Its main soundtrack ‘Apna Time Ayega’, that translates to our time will come, is resonating with millions of young people all over the country. ‘Gully Boy’ is also the first movie in Bollywood that explores the country’s underground street rap culture. Based loosely on the lives of Divine and Naezy, the movie explores the journey of a young man in a ghetto in Bombay, who realizes his love to rap, chases his dream, and then inadvertently transcends his class. I believe this movie will really bring Hip-hop and its culture from its nascency to the forefront of the culture. The movie isn’t out, yet, its impact has been tremendous. This is not just giving a spotlight to a small cultural movement but it is a coming out party!
An equally big influence has been the acceptance of high-end luxury streetwear by Bollywood celebrities. Actors such as Diljit Dosanjh, Ranveer Singh, Ranbir Kapoor, Abhishek Bachchan, and Karan Johar have been pushing the boundaries of Indian fashion by introducing the audience to high-end streetwear pieces in shows and social media platforms. All of them have been seen in famous hype outfits and expressed their love for high street fashion. This has created a substantial talking point because of which there have been many adopters.
There is also a growing sneaker culture with celebrities such as Rannvijay Singha and Anuraag Kashyap opening up about their passion for sneakers. A new show started by Rannvijay explores the sneakerhead culture in India. According to their Rannvijay’s YouTube channel, Sneakerwars is a show that ‘pitches Sneakerheads against each other in a winner takes all sneaker battle.’ Personally, the format of having a Sneaker War feels counterintuitive. I would rather have these sneakerheads talk about why these shoes are special to them, and how they use those sneakers to represent themselves. However, it is progress. I personally don’t have a problem if anyone wears an item to feel better about themselves. However, I am concerned with the foundations of this movement. To question if such a foundation can withstand the test of time.
Another YouTube show called Mainstreet does a great job at interviewing different sneakerheads across the country. They go really deep with their questioning to really understand what the guests’ sneaker collections really mean to them. That kind of show is personally satisfying because it showcases one’s passion for something. Ain’t that beautiful?
Bollywood celebrities aren’t the only people that are influencing the culture. There are a few individuals that have become the go-to people for the culture. The first name that comes to mind is Allen Claudius, who creates content specifically for the Indian streetwear culture. His blog ‘Bowties and Bones’ is an amazing resource for streetwear styles, tips, and news on the streetwear culture. His passion and authenticity are evident in his writings, and I find myself regularly visiting his content to keep up with streetwear news in the country.
Another person that I have been following has been named ‘India’s largest Hypebeast’ by Highsnobiety. Having risen to prominence through his Instagram platform, Keshav has been inspiring people all over the world with his tasteful pictures of luxury streetwear. Although I personally am not a Hypebeast, I do like some of his content. My reason is that his content is more about the clothes and lifestyle than it is about himself.
Indian streetwear brands have been a source of excitement for me. I didn’t know most of them till I moved back but some of my favorites have been Haul Apparel, Strey, Haut De Gamme, and VegNonVeg.
Haul apparel is great because they create designs that fuse western and Indian elements of street culture to create a tasteful blend of unique products. They remain street while being desi. I also like that they try their best to make their items affordable for everyone, which is something I respect and admire about their brand.
Strey is passionate about keeping stray animals in Mumbai safe and healthy. They do this by giving a percentage of their profits to animal welfare centers around Mumbai. In particular, their clothes and designs follow their vision of a ‘CounterCulture’ along with quirky designs of stray animals in the form of cartoon empowerment. Their sense of culture and pride in what they do is what drew me to their brand.
Haut De Gamme has cool unique graphic t-shirts and quotes inspired by Indian and Western street cultures alike. Their hand-painted products are also very cool.
VegNonVeg is a multibrand sneaker store that sells all the big brand sneaker shoes such as Nike, Vans, Adidas, New Balance, and Reebok to name a few.
There are other streetwear brands out there that deserve mention. They are Delhiwear, NorBlackNorWhite, and Almost Gods. I really like what the current crop of streetwear brands are doing because they are focusing on creating subcultures around their brands. This creates authentic, creative content that one resonates with.
I truly believe that this is an extremely exciting time for the streetwear culture in the country. Streetwear is going to play a massive role in providing creative and cultural context as the young Indian becomes more informed. The informed Indian will then become more selective with products that they want to engage with. As a result, subcultures will become more dominant and brands that do not prepare for the existence of subcultures will have to pivot or forced to die. Our time will come. Apna Time Ayega.
Rohan Agarwal
6th February, 2019
]]>All of these are great questions and we will answer them in the following sections. However, before answering those questions, we need to understand consumer behavior and the psychological foundations on which Hype is formed and the reasons for which hype works.
Table of Contents:
People pursue things that cater to their needs. A person’s need could be water and they will go out of their way to pursue water because their body needs it to function in a certain way.
In the same way, humans have psychological needs which give them the strength to pursue their goals. They can be external or internal. External goals include financial success, social recognition, and appealing appearance. Whereas, internal goals include self-acceptance, affiliation, community feeling, and physical fitness. Hence, in this context, it is safe to say that streetwear is related to personal satisfaction and enjoyment, as well as, a psychological need for validation from others. Consumers tend to imitate the buying behavior of individuals within the group they want to belong. Sometimes, the need for validation can also result in a willingness to pay a premium price for an item, in order to be regarded as a more prestigious than others. This claim was made substantiated by Dubois and Paternault’s study into the buying habits, perceptions, and actions of 34 luxury brands. The result of the study was the ‘Dream Equation’.
The ‘Dream Formula’ is a regression equation that tells one the aspirational value or desire in a consumers mind. The equation is quite cool because it quantifies the value of a consumers’ dream. According to the equation, one’s dream depends on awareness and purchase, as well as a negative value of 8.6. The negative value is interesting because it means that when there is no awareness or purchases, the dream value is negative. Which means that a brand would have to create a decent amount of awareness to even have a positive dream value. The awareness, in turn, creates a desire in the mind which then leads to more purchases. But, the increase in purchases is when things get weird because when the brand stops being considered rare, the ‘dream’ value of the brand starts to diminish. This convoluted codependency is crazy, but it works. How many times have you found a song through your own research that’s hip and alternative, and you’re like “omg that’s so cool.” Ten days later, everyone is listening to that song, and you’re just like that’s it. I’m out. This rarity principle is motivated by an individual comparison that consumers want to distinguish themselves from the rest.
While the ‘Dream Equation’ is great, there is another formula that complements it, that explains the world of fashion notoriety in streetwear. This equation is the mathematical formula of Hype. The Hype equation first originates from Jake Woolf in the Complex article, ‘Hype: A Mathematical Equation’.
What constitutes ‘Notoriety’ is the brand’s story and awareness. ‘Exclusivity’ and ‘Mystery’ is directly tied to the Rarity Idea that the ‘Dream Equation’ creates. That is, when awareness increases, purchase intentions increase. But when purchases increase the ‘dream value’ of the brand diminishes because it will no longer be unique in the minds of the consumer. Thus it is not only the awareness or notoriety that is a good metric, but also, Notoriety multiplied by a brand’s mystery and exclusivity that truly constitutes the best metric to look at, for streetwear or luxury brand or product. And, that metric is Hype.
Everyone has heard of Supreme at this point, which means the awareness of Supreme is extremely high, but are the purchases decreasing? No, because they maintain the Rarity Principle whereby which the products remain exclusive. They, also, remain mysterious by having a limited number of retail stores and keeping their web shops closed for the majority of the time, thus increasing their mystery value. Because of this, they keep maxing out every variable of the Hype equation giving you a great example of why Supreme is the most Hyped brand in the world today. Supreme did not get just get lucky. Like James Jebbia, the founder of Supreme says, “We work very hard to make everything look effortless.
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This is where your summer tees come handy. One of the first things to remember about layering, start with a thin shirt, then add a slightly thicker mid-layer and top it all off with a jacket or an over coat. This allows you to look good/fashionable with the different colours; layers as well as you can adjust your clothing to the temperature of your surroundings. The first layer should be breathable, light as well as the lightest colour among all the layers.
2. Adding a Mid-Weight Middle Layer
There are different ways to layer for various occasions. If you are going to the office on a regular day, you are indoors; therefore heating is a plus point. However, this is where your layers come in; you will be travelling in the cold to get to your office. The office is the perfect place to celebrate and enjoy your classics: blazers, coats, shirts, etc. A vest or blazer or even a cardigan will keep your body warm but can also reveal your white shirt. Look for pieces than you can quickly pull off and on without compromising your overall look. You want to look good at all times, adding a versatile mid-middle layer would help immensely.
3. Final Layer/Top Layer
This the most important layer as it is the one that will keep you warm. Finishing touch is your jacket, blazer, overcoat or coat. Chose just one bulky item of clothing, if that is your final layer, and then make sure your other layers are relatively more accessible and breathable. You want to bundle up and not look bulky.
A few things to help make your outfit more stylish:
On those cold, windy days; your ears and neck tend to get cold super fast! Adding a blank scarf is the perfect option. You could use it to cover your ears still look fashionable. It could add colour to your outfit as well as dress it up with a pop of colour or bold designs.
Don’t forget your socks! Allow your feet to leave your outfit’s lasting impression. The quirky fun, bold coloured socks matching your outfit can really complete your outfit.
Choose complimentary colours. Even though this is an unsaid rule, it is worth mentioning once. Remember to chose one strong or “star” colour and the others should be supporting characters or complimentary colours. If your main piece has a pattern or print, then the others should plain garments. You can construct the rest of the outfit around the main piece. Think of this as a gradient. They should flow seamlessly between each other, for example monochromatic, rather than disjointed. For example, if you have a beige over coat, which is your stair piece, then choosing whites, creams and greys would be a good choice rather than pinks and oranges or even greens! Keep it simple and you will never go wrong.
Just because its cold outside, and it’s not spring or autumn anymore, that does not mean you have to tone down your love of colour. Anything is acceptable in winters as long as it is combined with complimentary colours. Make the lightest colour your base, then go darker and bolder as you make your way outwards!
Even though there is no set number of layers, please do avoid the hobo man look or Joey from F.R.I.E.N.D.S look. If you cannot move under the clothing, that means you have too many layers on. Comfort comes first. Always have enough breathing space so you do not feel suffocated.
To Conclude, Remember:
Enjoy your winters! If we have missed out any tips, please add them in the comments below, we would love to hear from you!
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A common problem amongst men is trying to get the last shave out of each blade, which ultimately leads to skin irritation and razor burn. This could also happen due to cheap, low-quality blades or blunt blades. Buying high-quality blades and throwing them out when they're blunt and is the most fundamental step is delivering a smooth shave and healthy skin.
A hot shower gives off steam which relaxes the pores in your face and softens your skin. A cold shower tends to do the opposite. When you towel off, avoid the face and neck areas as the added moisture will assist you in shaving.
It is important to use either a shaving soap or shaving foam. Lather up well to protect your skin. A good shaving soap should have skin-healing agents, skin rejuvenating oils that will keep your skin smooth, healthy and youthful. Alternatively, a good cleanser shaving foam should unclog pores and shave at the same time! Our recommendation: The Volcanic Man Shaving Soap or Volcanic Man Cleanser And Shave Foam (also boosted with Tamanu Oil).
Always remember to wash your hands before you shave, and always follow the grain of your facial hair than go against it. Since this is the direction of your growth, it will minimize friction between your skin and blade. When you shave, you are not only shaving away your stubble (hair) but also exfoliating away the top layer of your skin (in other words, getting rid of your dead skin!).
Applying a post-shave moisturizer is an essential step to healthy skin. You want to keep your complexation hydrated and supple. Especially if you work in an air-conditioned office or outdoors in the cold or wind, your skin will tend to dry up. Using a moisturizer then becomes even more important as it soothes and keeps your skin healthy. If you work outdoors in the sun, we recommend using a moisturizer with SPF. In fact, a study conducted in Nambour, Qld, Australia in 2013 found that the daily use of an SPF slowed the ageing process by 24% when compared to the intermittent use of an SPF! (Citation) Ageing is a process that occurs over time and the signs of ageing can appear more obvious at different stages of life. The secret to looking younger than your age is to use a high-quality moisturizer daily!
Even though shaving involves some exfoliation, a face scrub covers more areas, especially around the eyes and forehead. Face scrubs are essential for prevention of acne, blackheads, dry, sensitive and oily skin, as well as for the removal of dead skin cells. A good exfoliator should not only remove dead skin cells but also purify and cleanse your skin. When buying a face scrub, remember to buy one that won’t dry out your skin. In fact, you want it to moisturize and rejuvenate your skin. Our recommendation: Volcanic Man Face Scrub (with Virgin Coconut Oil, Kaolinite Clay and Tamanu Oil) will do both.
If you have acne-prone skin or oily skin then applying a clay face mask is another essential step in your skincare routine. The Volcanic Man Face Mask uses two different volcanic clays for a deep-down detox and cleans and is recommended only once a week. If used too often, then your skin can dry out can cause dehydration and irritation. The addition of anti-ageing Virgin Coconut Oil and Tamanu Oil in our Volcanic Man Face Mask will help deliver fast, effective and life-changing results.
Even though it is important to take care of your face, don’t forget the rest of your body! It is highly recommended to use a body scrub and body moisturizer to keep the rest of your body in great shape. Here we suggest you visit our Tamanu Oil Range and pick up a bottle of our Tamanu Volcanic Ash Scrub and our Skin Rejuvenating Tamanu Oil Moisturizer.
Begin your men's skincare routine TODAY with this range of quality men's skincare products!
]]>I'm a clumsy person who enjoys wearing white. I also love mustard, and writing things down. As a result, most of my white shirts amass pen marks and mustard stains. This is the sad reality of my life. Or at least was. I've figured out one half of my problem, that is, pen stains. An easy hack to fix this is to use hairspray or rubbing alcohol as a pre-treatment after which you can give the article a quick wash. If you don't have a hairspray lying around, ask any of your female friends and they'll more than oblige, and maybe even teach you a few neat tricks (they really do have the answers).
If you were thinking about the mustard stains then I am currently testing out a few things. In fact it hasn't happened to me in a while. So, if you have some good suggestions, then please do comment below and help a pal out.
When I learned of this, my life changed. After the 100 millionth time, my jacket zip got stuck, I was determined to find a solution. I flipped out my phone and googled 'zip stuck HELP' and voila! an answer was found. Maybe Kanye should try it sometime.
Anyway, the answer said roll wax or soap over the zip to gently lubricate the zip and that should do the trick. And it did. I have done this multiple times and I will say that the important thing to note when doing this is to make sure you use any form of white wax, as any other color may leave an unwanted stain. Another key thing to remember is to remove the wax residue after you've applied it. This is for no other reason than for your article to look good.
Okay! So this one is a both clever and interesting. If you put 2-3 shirts in a delicate bag and then throw into a washing machine, you would prevent the collar or cuff from fraying. Personally, I think that a crisp collar and cuff is vital to a shirt looking good. So, if you have spent the money buying a nice shirt then I suggest spending a small amount of time to make sure that the shirt remains crisp on the edges.
A word of caution: Don't put too many shirts into the bag as your shirts might not get cleaned well which is of primary importance.
You can wash your socks, but what do you do to keep your shoes clean? Wash them? No, there is actually a pretty easy fix to this. Get a shoe deodorant that will absorb the moisture, kill the bacteria, and keep your shoes smelling nice. This is a pretty nifty hack and has helped my shoes especially dealing with the humidity. I highly suggest you get yourself one shoe deodorant or make your own! You can also find the one I use here.
So, this concludes my list for the time being. If you liked this post, do share it by clicking the social media icons below. Let us know if you'd like more style hacks on the comments, or if you know any other style hacks that work well, especially looking forward to your tips on mustard stains!
Hope this was helpful!
Rohan
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Style is an important factor in looking good. Most of us, wear a shirt and pant, maybe a belt and just call it a day. But we forget about the most important part- somehow, it sometimes looks unfinished, like it is missing something. And yes, you are! ACCESSORIES!!
Accessories are not only for hippies or dancers; they are for everyone. You can add different accessories to your outfit to make it for trendy or stylish! Here are some looks and helpful tips that you might want to try out to get your groove on!
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Style is an important factor in looking good. Most of us, wear a shirt and pant, maybe a belt and just call it a day. But we forget about the most important part- somehow, it sometimes looks unfinished, like it is missing something. And yes, you are! ACCESSORIES!!
Accessories are not only for hippies or dancers; they are for everyone. You can add different accessories to your outfit to make it for trendy or stylish! Here are some looks and helpful tips that you might want to try out to get your groove on!
Photo by Pablo Padilla
Sometimes your hands feel empty. I wear a watch all the time, I cannot live without it, however, when I do not have it, I wear a bracelet. This is probably one of the most underrated accessory. But those who know about it, do justice to them. Bracelet is not just for women. Some men are rocking the men’s jewellery industry, from Robert Pattinson, Robert Downey Jr, Jay Z to Ron Wood. If they can do it, why not you? I do understand the hesitation you might be going through, oh only rappers and hippies wear bracelets and other accessories. All I ask is try it once, and see how you look!
Photo by Royal Anwar
A belt is not only used for keeping your pants up, but it also adds to your look. You do not necessarily have to match your belt with your shoes, however, it should go with your whole outfit. A belt can make or break your outfit. You could either look sharp and dapper or just a huge color mismatch and terrible. So be careful what belt to wear with your outfit. Normally I would try to avoid the loud colors like blue, green and yellow and go with the basics- black, browns and maybe even red to some extent.
Rings are probably the easiest item to slip on without having to think a thousand times. Wedding rings are the most common, a few men will wear a devoted ring of personal significance for much of their life: a class ring, a family seal, or a Masonic emblem, perhaps. Only a small percentage of men will ever wear decorative rings as adults. However, they look the best. They show character and style, but most importantly, it draws attention. It's an icebreaker, people will come up and ask questions about the rings. What a better way to start a conversation (with maybe a person you like)!
The simplest thing that you can pick up to add color, style and comfort into your outfit. I generally wear scarfs purely because I want to protect my neck from the cold wind and chilly nights. So scarfs can serve a lot of purpose. Worn with a trench coat, black pants and top, it can add so much to your outfit. It looks like you made an effort and didn’t just pick up anything and wear it. Always remember, first impressions are important too!!
For all formal looks, a tie is a way to go. It looks good, professional and is generally the most common accessory. And in the same way is cufflinks. They are old traditions but classic and timeless. But, you can play around with different styles, colors and metals. Especially with cufflinks. Generally, you can add your favorite detail. So for example, my father is a golfer and as a gift, I bought him golf clubs shaped cufflinks. This can be used as an icebreaker for those boring conversations in conferences or even to attract someone.
So bring out all your accessories and try matching it with your outfit. Tag @everythingmanstore to show us how you have accessorized your outfit and completed your look! If you like this post, please comment below.
Michelle Alexander | 2018
Planning can be quite difficult, keeping everything in mind from budget, hotels, flights and so much more. To make things easier, get yourself a travelogue.
A good travelogue should include everything from scratch-off maps, day journals (including space for pictures), planning (including budget), checklists (for packing and otherwise), important contacts, postcards page, useful information such as different conversions (weight, length), useful phrases in different languages and a few empty pages for you to fill in! If you want a good travelogue, check out this one.
Packing is one of the most important factors for travelling. You want a bag that can fit in everything from your laptop to your camera. However, I do not know if this has happened to you, but before leaving there is always that one person who tells me to beware of my surroundings and of pick-pocketers. Hence, I like to be on the safe side and get an anti-theft bag.
A good anti-theft bag should have a hidden zipper design to prevent theft. Some backpacks are designed to reduce back pain which is always a plus. Generally, while buying a bag, I also look at the capacity, if it can fit my laptop and other electronics while still having space for other things. If you want a good backpack, here is one.
It is always important to protect yourself and your documents. You do not want to be stranded in an unknown country with a stolen or spoilt passport. Hence, a passport holder can sometimes be annoying, however, it is essential as it protects your passport. It is better to be safe than sorry!
Just as it is important for keeping your passport safe, it is important to keep your money, credit cards and other essentials safe as well.
A business wallet should have compartments to keep your different currencies, different credit/debit cards, phone, car keys but also holders for your different sim cards! Here is a link to one of our favourites.
While travelling, many people might have the same suitcase or bag as you and sometimes it is difficult to identify. There are so many cases in which someone took a stranger’s black suitcase thinking it was theirs. To avoid this problem, get yourself a luggage tag and be stress-free!
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So many people go out of their way to either compliment us on our style or feel the need to drop some “fashionista” knowledge on us. We are here to debunk fashion myths that we have been hearing for years, AKA, WORST STYLE ADVICE WE’VE EVER HEARD...
So let’s start with the first one. This one is probably one of our favorites since people use this phrase very casually.
Umm… No. If you’re uncomfortable it’s going to show, and usually, when that happens, people will definitely notice. Think about all the times you wore uncomfortable shoes and someone was like “are you okay?”, and you replied saying, “No, but fashion over comfort.” You said that to sound cool, but do you remember how painful that was? Well, we are here to tell you that you don’t need to do that to yourself. We believe that the clothes you wear are an extension of yourself… a way to express yourself. If that truly is the case, then all you are doing is expressing pain and resentment. Is that really the vibe you want to give to the people around you? In addition, it deters your functionality that affects the amount of fun you’re going to have. So, don’t settle for those uncomfortable formal pants just to look good. Wear a well-fit pair of jeans and it will do wonders. Besides, a well-fit pair of casual jeans and hoodie always looked better than a frumpy suit.
Moving on to the next one!
We’ve heard this one plenty of times over the years. But, we disagree. Larger clothing means there’s a lot of extra fabric that can collect together to create bulks and bulges in weird areas that in turn will make you look bigger and disproportionate. We suggest wearing a proper fit that will make your body look more streamlined. We do admit that in certain styles combining an oversized tee with a slim fit pair of jeans can look great, however, if your main concern is whether you look too fat, then we suggest choosing a proper fit.
Umm… Excuse me! We dislike these kinds of comments because the person while being well-intentioned is basically asking you not to be yourself. Being authentic and wearing what expresses you is the best way to dress. Be comfortable in your skin and don’t let the clothes wear you. Stay true to yourself. Because there really isn’t any hard fast rule on what's right or wrong. Do you!
This is funny because you might have to wait forever for this to happen. Pants can shrink in the wash but don’t expect it to go from a baggy fit to a proper fit. Instead, if your pant is too baggy, we suggest that you go to a tailor and spend a few bucks. Trust us. You’ll be happy you did!
Try to avoid this if you’re wearing a bright colored tee. People think wearing a red polo with a pair of red shoes makes them look slick. Sorry to break it to you, but it doesn’t. Wear black shoes instead and watch your outfit become so much better!
We hope that this article helps you navigate your way through confusion and into your best self. We, at Everything Man Store, strongly believe in helping you find the right tools to express yourself whether it’s through advice or making them accessible to you. If you liked this article do comment, share, and let us know if you’d like more articles like this one. Your response will help us in understanding the way in which we can help.
P.S. We are glad wallet chains are no longer a thing!
Rohan Agarwal | 2018
]]>So let's go back to the 1970's where the trend of distressed denim had found its way into the punk culture. Prior to this, ripped jeans were associated with the working class who couldn't afford to buy new jeans. In the 1970's the sex pistols had ingrained British Punk ideology to fight against status quo and conservative form of government. The early punk movement tore apart consumer goods as a symbol of revolt and expression of anger towards society. The denim then became one of the main targets for the politically fueled deconstruction. Especially with both men and women wearing torn jackets and jeans adorned with pins and slogans.
Graffiti and 'Street Art', Blackfriars Rd, Manchester by Matt Harrop. This street art was revered by many in the Punk Rock era of the 1970s and 80s
During the same time in North America, the ripped jean started to become a fashion statement pioneered by cultural phenomenon such as Iggy Pop who claims to be one of the first to start this trend. In an interview with Vice, Iggy Pop said "[...] Then, as I began doing more gigs, these flimsy pants I wore would start to rip, and I left the rips in. I thought it looked right. It was the thing at the time for people like P.J. Proby or Jackie Wilson, or even James Brown, to leave loose basting instead of proper stitching in the crotch of the pants. Before the end of the show they'd rip onstage, and that was part of the gig. But I was the first one to just come out with the rips, as far as I know."
Although the ripped jeans were a subculture phenomenon, by the 90's the trend became very popular and were accepted by a wide variety of cultural influences from Kurt Cobain to Hip Hop, cementing its place as a mainstream fashion piece. With its wide acceptance, the ripped jeans' political past became muted as its appeal grew to more people.
Today, it has been making a comeback with the resurgence of 90s grunge in fashion trends. While the ripped jeans no longer represent a strong political statement, it can be found in the wardrobes of many. People of varied tastes wear ripped jeans to express themselves in different ways, and at the end of the day, giving meaning to what you wear is important because it provides a means to symbolize your thoughts and opinions. So, leave a comment below and let us know why you wear your ripped pair of jeans.
Rohan Agarwal | 2018
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