Street Trends & High Fashion

So, the question of the week is whether there is a connection between street trends and the high fashion runways.  Well the answer is, YES!  Throughout the years street trends have been a huge influence on high fashion runways.  Ultimately a designer wants to see their clothes on people, what better way to do that then get ideas from the streets and what society is creating.  There are eight trends that I would like to focus on and show how the runways have recreated these street trends.  Without  individual style one would not have art.  So here's to all those creative people in the world making their mark with fashion.

Zoot Suits

The Zoot Suit became popularized by Latin, Italian and African Americans in the late 30's-early 40's and consisted of high-waisted pants with wide legs and a long blazer with wide lapels and wide shoulders. 

Celine Dion's take on the Zoot Suit for the Academy Awards.

Teddy Boys

Teddy Boys began in London in and quickly spread to the United States through young men who loved rock and roll.  It began in the 50's and was taken from the old fashioned Edwardian style. 

Paul Smith 2011 Spring Collection.

Beatniks

In the 50's and early 60's a subculture emerged that were quickly named Beatniks by the media.  It consisted of the anti-conformist youth generation that were prominent in New York at the time. 

J. Crew Spring 2010

Mods

1960's British youth subculture. Females wore androgynous haircuts, little makeup and very short skirts.  Go-Go boots were also popular at this time. Twiggy was the "it" girl in British fashion representing the Mod subculture. 

Stella McCartney Spring 2010

Hippies

I think the hippie street trend is one of the most recognizable to date.  Beginning in the 1960's and revolving around psychadelic rock and sexual revolution,  the trend has re-surfaced over the years and it seems hippie chic will never truly go out of style.

Vivienne Tam Spring 2009

Disco

Fashions of the late 70's disco era continue to influence our society.  Studio 54 was the hot spot during that time and was a platform for fashion, celebrities and music.  Platforms and "clubbin" clothes were wildly popular at this time. 

Badgley Mischka Spring 2011

Punk

The punk movement rose in the late 70's early 80's as a rebuttal to the materialistic excess in society. It was a way to "stick it to the man".  Clothing was very distressed and torn at times, mohawks and colored hair was also popularized at this time. 

Vivienne Westwood 2009

Hip-Hop

Hip-Hop fashions emerged out of the Bronx in the late 70's-early 80's from disc jockeys and club goers.  It really grew in popularity during the "break dancing" era and has continued to grow into mainstream and on the runways. Pictured is LL Cool J in the 1980's

Sean John Collection 2010

Now what street trends are currently making their mark on the runway?

The babydoll/Lolita look has become wildly popular on the runways.  I believe it started with the Harajuku Girls of Japan and has only blossomed from there. 

 

 I have also seen a trend of girls who are mixing high fashion with more of a bohemian look in which I have labeled as "Bohemian Glamour Girls".  Such television shows as Gossip Girl have really driven the middle class female towards high fashion like never before and being able to mix pieces has created a whole new trend.  

Gossip Girl meets Prada meets Target

Society has become so aware of designer names and Gossip Girl has really made fashion another character on its show.  There are many websites now that cater to those women who want to 'dress like the stars' that they have created less expensive replicas of designer styles.  Some may call them knockoffs but one must remember that you don't have to spend a fortune to look like a million bucks.