UK Graffitti impact on Steetwear

The dictionary describes graffiti as a ' kind of rude decoration that is usually found on walls and other surfaces'. Although there is a strong anti social element associated with graffiti itself, it has found a steady place in clothing as an unusual work of art. Just as no two painters will ever paint alike, no two graffiti artists create the same artwork either. With regard to streetwear , graffiti has earned a place in history itself because of the strong manner in which it can convey a thought or message. Just as in America, graffiti in urban wear is very popular among youngsters in the UK as well. There are many brands which directly draw their inspiration from graffiti on the streets.

Abuze London is one one such brand that was born at a time when the Britihs police were doing their best to stop graffiti artists from displaying their work in public places. However, that didnt stop the artists from using the tubes, train lines, and empty walls as a canvas for their thoughts. They were successful in reaching a wider audience as well. From there, the brand Abuze LDN with the tag line' An extension of oneself' took form. The brand takes pride in having its feet frimly rooted in British culture and speaking out when needed. The brand also places importance on self- expression, attitude, individuality and even collaborates with different artists to create collections that are unique and have a razor sharp identity. Abuze has tshirts, jackets, knits and hoodies which have loud graphics, witty one liners, prints and other graffiti designs on them. In fact, they have even used underground maps and travel cards of London and then laminated them onto tshirts.

Urban Venom is another popular brand, which has different airbrush and graffiti designs on both tshirts and trainers. Designs on trainers include airbrush designs of Michael Jackson, Tupac and even Chris Brown. You can either buy one of their tshirts or of you refer, can customize one of your own for a price.
Besides exclusive brands which sell graffiti brands, there are many websites which are a one stop shop in streetwear, selling multiple brands and giving customers a wider range of choice.

Total Urban Wear also has a wide range of branded clothing and other accessories with eye catching and unusual graffiti prints on them. Zoo York, Coogi, Fubu and Converse are a few of the brands sold by this website. Another brand called Southpole even has an exclusive green colored tshirt which glows in the dark. Britishhiphop.co.uk is another website which gives you a basic review about different streetwear brands in the UK. Although the main feature of this website is its focus on hip hop music, clothing too gets a special mention here. Graffiti artists no matter which part of the world they are in, try to preserve culture as they know it, through their creative artworks. As long as people support the artists who dare to draw what they think, graffiti as an art form will always survive.

Graffitti effect on Urban Wear

It’s interesting to note that the concept of graffiti itself began from as early as the Neanderthal man. Take the paintings and premature drawings often etched out on cave walls as an example. Today however the way we understand graffiti has changed. It still remains a very strong medium of expression, but is often aligned with anti-social elements or rebellious teenagers.

Drawings or expressions with spray cans can be commonly seen in public areas such as the subway or playgrounds. Hip hop was the first movement to openly embrace graffiti as a sister expression in creativity. The earliest graffiti designs that featured on t-shirts usually bore the name of the person wearing it or of a hip hop artist. Very slowly, graffiti gained a firmer ground when urban wear itself began to sweep the nation. It was the perfect creative medium that went hand in hand with streetwear. After all, streetwear itself was worn as a sign of defiance and to stand out, whereas graffiti carried such messages loud and clear.

Even today, there’s a clear uniqueness about graffiti that makes the apparel stand out. It’s a very popular design on other accessories such as hoodies, beanie caps, and especially skateboards. Many commercial urban wear names have capitalised on a trend that seems to be getting stronger with every passing generation. Zoo York is one such brand which unabashedly draws its inspiration from New York City’s energy and life. This brand which began to create waves in the early seventies, began with graffiti inspired skateboards. By the eighties, the very word Zoo York meant graffiti artists, skateboarders and other creative people. The brand helped to popularize skateboarding and graffiti as a means of expression.

 The brand was officially launched in 1993 and began with a line of skateboards and t-shirts which slowly grew into a more extensive range designed to suit all tastes. Even today this Manhattan based brand draws its main influences from the streets, hip hop, graffiti and even has a motely mix of the best NYC artist and musician talent, who are fondly called the Zoo Crew.

Obey is another popular brand which began by distributing stencils and allowed users to download Obey stickers free on the Internet. They moved on to posters and eventually to t-shirts in 2001 which carried unique images and stencilled drawings. Today, the brand still sells posters now and then, but Obey Clothing focuses more on apparel that is a blend of fashion and class. They have a wide range of accessories and clothes for men and women, and are renowned for their glow in the dark t-shirts. Methods NYC brings graffiti wear to people directly inspired from original graffiti drawings on walls. This brand often sponsors events related to graffiti artists and hip hop with part of the proceeds going to the artists whose designs are sold. They feature artists from America as well as Europe.

Graffiti helps to keep the essence of streetwear alive. As artists get together to create more never seen before designs, graffiti on clothes will always be around.

Skateboarding Influence on Urban Wear

Although we usually think of hip hop artists as the main people who influenced urban wear and helped to make it fashionable; streetwear wouldn’t be where it is today if surfers and skateboarders hadn’t made being seen in it so cool. In fact, the beaches of California were one of the earliest places where hoodies and vibrant t-shirts paired with colourful sneakers were first spotted. Sports and extreme sports have always had a major influence on fashion with many people preferring to wear only the labels that their favourite sportspeople promote. However, the influence that skateboarders had on fashion was quite profound and soon caught up. Clothes with attitude that stood out, was a must have for them.

In the eighties, it was quite difficult to find clothes that were unique- so much to the extent that many people often dyed their tops or t-shirts in their preferred colors. Soon, designing one’s own t-shirt became a trend. Skateboarders began to show their artistic flair and creative side by unleashing never seen before designs on their clothes, wearing them with pride. It is quite possible that many urban wear brands that we see today drew quite a bit of inspiration from such custom made t-shirts, experimenting with different ideas for a generation that wanted something new. The old technique of simple screen printing made way for better prints such as appliques, embroidery, glow in the dark prints and so on. Skateboarders were among the first to make wearing baggy jeans, or pants with relaxed cuts so hip. Sometimes the jeans had huge pockets, slashes on the knees or the huge buttons stitched by the skaters themselves, for a retro look. These kinds of fits made skateboarding easier to do and it wasn’t long before denim manufacturers latched on to the trend and began to create colors and washes to fill the growing demand of youngsters. Even today, denim with cat like scratches, patches, embroidery and a faded look are very popular.

Hoodies and beanie caps are a must have part of urban wear too. Although the hoodie today has a slightly sinister feel about it, it packs a ton of attitude and is cool to wear. Clothing brands stretch their limits trying to get as creative with hoodies as they can, by experimenting with patterns, prints and colors. Brands like Zoo York and Element, sell hoodies that have hidden pockets in it, for an edgier touch. Element also sells hoodies with single words across the chest and plain hoodies with a complimenting color on the collar and cuffs. Zoo York is a popular streetwear brand which was available way back in the seventies, with a number of graffiti artists who created unique designs on t-shirts. The brand was officially launched in 1993 and even today includes many graffiti artists and features upcoming talents as well. Their clothing is designed to showcase street culture and urban fashion. One can only hope that the influence that both fashion and the skateboard culture have on each other, will never end.

Skateboarding Wear

Skateboarding as a sport has had a major influence on Urban wear. The cool hoodies, funky t-shirts, baggy jeans and colourful sneakers that skateboarders were often spotted in, slowly made their way into streetwear as well. One could say that fashion has had a huge impact on the sport itself. Youngsters love to show off their skateboards which are available today in different sizes, colors and designs. Many brands have unique designer skateboards which are full of attitude and

pack a punch. Whether you are a nature lover or an animal lover, prefer a design that’s menacing or cool, the best skateboard brands have something for everyone. Today, a skateboard is not just about the quality anymore. One glance at a person’s skateboard tells you all you need to know about the owner’s cool quotient and style.

Zero is a popular skateboard brand which relays a strong image, complete with splashes of blood and skulls that some may find gory. Designs that are funky, have a Gothic undertone and which are hard to ignore are a big favourite with youngsters. Some of their bestselling designs include an open mouth, a single with paint dripping, patterns of skulls and the single word ‘zero’ in a rainbow of colors. Just the right feel for those who dare to scare with their tactics. For those who want a skateboard that’s colourful yet subtle, Habitat is a great brand with a wide variety of choices. This brand may not be that famous, but they have graphics that are artistic in nature and pleasant to see.

They even have special styles like the Skylite with corrugated bottom ply decks and which is lighter as well. The bright graphics and designs in earthy colors are perfect for fun in the sun. Element skateboards are noted for their high quality which stands apart. Not only is this a company that has a green conscience but their skateboards are highly affordable as well. In fact they have a line of Helium skate decks with air chambers inside them to make them stiff yet light. Their tongue in cheek graphics, colourful graffiti designs and great choice of colors are eye catching. Overall, one may find their designs simple, but it’s a great choice for a skateboarder all the same. If you love cartoon characters and prefer a cheeky skateboard that doesn’t compromise on quality but is clean fun all the same; then go for Toy Machine. They have 7 ply skateboard decks, which aren’t exactly high on technology when compared to other brands but they are well made. Their graphics usually feature a cartoon character and are colourful to see as well. This brand is great for beginners who want something simple and easy to use.

Professional may prefer to use skateboards from Birdhouse, which uses the Black 6 technology. This feature is supposed to help a skateboarder with flicks in the air. Graphics are usually in red, black and white colors. With such great brands to choose from, there’s a skateboard to suit all preferences.

What all the GOTH

Goth clothing and Streetwear may sound like they are worlds apart in terms of origins and fashion statements, but you're in for a surprise. Just like streetwear itself was born and is worn proudly to define a purpose, Goth too is worn by people who feel they don't fit in. When one thinks of a person who is most likely to wear Goth clothing, a teenager comes to mind and a rebellious one at that. Over the years, streetwear became the acceptable fashion style to adopt especially if one had something to say or supported a particular cause. Goth was a mish mash of influences from death rock, punk, Victorian and even Renaissance styles. Youngsters who wore Goth, were often spotted with black nail polish, umpteen rings and tattoos wearing pants and jackets that were black in color. Just as streetwear drew its inspiration from rap and hip hop genres, Goth was largely inspired by Gothic rock which was a later offshoot of punk itself. Streetwear today has adapted to different styles of fashion, and Goth Streetwear is quite popular among youngsters too.

Goth Streetwear focuses on the complete look, and lends a fashionable cool touch to the wearer. Unlike in Goth clothing, where accessories are largely worn to enhance the ' I dont care nor fit in' image; accessories that are worn in Goth Streetwear help complete the intended look in a funky manner. For instance a girl may wear a black Goth Streetwear dress and may carry a Gothic Hobo with designs of silver studs and skulls on it. Silver studs, laces, ribbons, large buttons, zips and even corsages in the clothing is what sets Goth Streetwear apart. Accessories such as chains, bracelets and ear rings with loud designs, huge studs, spikes and bright colors are quite popular too. Footwear for the girls usually includes high boots and shoes in vinyl or fake leather. GoodGoth.com is a popular website which sells everything a Goth lover can dream of. Skirts with embroidery designs, dresses that can be worn during the day time, shoes, accessories and even plus sizes can all be found here. Colorful hairbands and spunky handbags in different hues and shades can also be purchased online. Covet Couture is another brand which specializes in selling Goth Streetwear for both men and women. Their range for men include clothing such as shirts with chains, military style zipped jackets, baggy pants as well as trousers with chains and studs. Their collection for women focuses on hip clothing with a flirty and feminine touch. They have lacy satin skirts , mini skirts with studs, high waist skirts with belts and a variety of corset tops to suit all sizes. Their dresses which are all in black, would probably have gone unnoticed but for an attractive belt, side slit, chain or zip, which makes the dress stand out.

Goth Streetwear is a great alternative to regular streetwear for youngsters. Its the perfect fashion statement for those who want clothing that stands out for all the right reasons.

Latest Hip Hop Styles

Urban Wear is one of the trendiest fashion styles with a large fan following throughout the world. Strangely however, it has also been criticized for becoming too commercialized in its own way. Some critics say that streetwear is moving away from its main purpose by trying to adapt to different trends. Ironically, commercialization has also given Urban Wear a global platform and placed it within reach of millions of youngsters. Today many streetwear brands project themselves as fashion names that are true to the spirit of hip hop. Many famous music artists themselves have either launched their own labels, or helped design a particular streetwear line. How does one actually define a streetwear hip hop brand? Is it a brand backed by a music artist himself, or one that indirectly promotes music? Going by the general trend, a streetwear hip hop brand can be defined as a label that is greatly influenced by various music genres such as rap and hip hop.

Websites like Urban Venom are well known for the different tongue in cheek brands one can find there, but another surprising element in their website is the presence of music itself. Tracks and mixtapes, put together by groovy DJ’s are a big hit on the site. Such tracks can either be downloaded or purchased online for a small sum. The website also releases such new mixtapes every now and then, to encourage their customers to come back. The enticing chance to buy both fashionable clothing and such cool music with new releases every month, keeps a loyal fan base happy. LuxLivin is another brand that promotes hip hop artists as well as a fantastic range of high end streetwear. The brand believes in adding a much needed corporate touch to Urban Wear itself, and even serves as a talent management agency for upcoming music names.

Sean John, the popular Urban Wear brand promoted by the artist himself, is one of the best selling streetwear brands today. Due to the presence of the hip hop artist himself, his name adds a lot of credibility to the brand. Separate lines for men, women and kids, as well as chic accessories which add a dash of glamor to the ensemble, are a big hit with today’s generation. There are clothes to suit all budgets, and a fresh look each season lets you stay in style and unique at all times. Brands like Hip Hop Closet, Karmaloop and Everything Hip Hop showcase designs from a number of streetwear brands, and give customers a wide range of selections to choose from. These brands often follow the latest happenings and trends in music itself, and draw their inspiration straight from the street.

The connection between Urban Wear itself and music is an entwined one. After all Hip Hop was the reason behind the creation of this never seen before dressing style. As long as Urban Wear brands promote the music that made them, they stay true to the very essence of streetwear culture.

Juzd Urban Wear

Urban wear is slowly taking on a shade of green. Just like many other industries are waking up to the fact that we all have a role to play in preserving the environment, the garment industry is making small changes too. For instance, some brands endorse graphics drawn with water or natural dye ink as opposed to chemical based inks. Juzd is an urban wear brand with a difference. The label is a spin off from the word ‘ Juiced’, and means ‘to be unstoppable or undefeatable’ . It was one of the first streetwear brands to venture into the untapped market of organic clothing and actually make it hip to be worn. This one year old brand, with its base in Canada, uses bamboo in its garments and projects itself as the world’s first bamboo designer clothing.

The idea behind starting such a brand itself was to develop a label that respected nature and human beings too. But why bamboo you may ask? The manufacturers claim that bamboo has many natural qualities such as being anti bacterial in nature. It also absorbs sweat, has insulating properties, is hypoallergenic and is very comfortable to wear. Their shirts are made from custom designed and milled bamboo fabric, and garments designed for females also have 5% spandex for a better fit. Loud graphics, painting like artwork, and other prints are a common feature found in their collections. Juzd designers claim that they get easily inspired by anything and the focus is to create innovative designs that stand out. The brand also makes a maximum of only 35 prints per design, which means that they are exclusive and yet sell out.

Juzd Streetwear however takes a slightly different approach when it comes to publicity and brand awareness. They were invited to show their edgy designs at a fashion show in March held at the Miami Beach in Florida. The fashion show itself was a part of the birthday bash that was held for Fergie, a singer from the popular band The Black eyed Peas. The innovative eco friendly designs, which featured their Spring/Summer collection as well as a peek into their upcoming Fall/Winter collection, were a big hit. The Toronto Fashion week, held in Canada, during the month of October, is a world class event that brings together Canadian designers and labels. The show itself is held to showcase the best in Canadian fashion and to promote local talent. A fashion show usually brings to mind haute couture and other designer collections, but the Juzd streetwear collection was also invited to be part of this important event. So not only was the brand able to showcase the best of its designs, but also had the opportunity to educate the audience about organic clothing itself.

Brands like Juzd Streetwear, Roots and Affliction which are all into manufacturing organic clothing, help pave the way for a better tomorrow. Fashion with a conscience seems to be the new streetwear mantra.