Street Art Meets Fashion

Creative Direction by Nicholah Opoku Moyo Photographed by Ishaam Abrahams Photographer Assistant Shakir Coetzee Retoucher Sarah Nagel Hair styling executed by Ayessa Chandrelle, Benta Hair Extensions Darling Hair Make-up slayed by Peggy “Syd” Tambwe Production Crew Alex Kaori, Liz Chimani, Asmeeta Chavda Location Scouters Alex Kaori, Jatin Chavda Models, Josephine Salumu, Erica Chipato, King Bonda Nguimbi, Julia Kawal na Mtombw, Cecilia Jia Si Liu, Savannah Reynolds, Simone Nyamabo, Shakir Coetzee Outfits Models’ own Shoot Location Woodstock, Salt River Cape Town Studio & Prep Location INFLUHKS

Written by Amo Modise

The common misconception is that the target market for streetwear is only aimed towards Gen Z, providing that the statistics of consumerism lead to Gen Z being the highest consumers of street fashion; this is not entirely true.

The definition of streetwear entails fashionable, casual clothes conversely undermining what has now become a multi-billion dollar retail sensation. Originally a male-dominated style, it is depicted in a sense that comprises more masculine looks than feminine. At that time, it was a remedy of a more simplistic minimalist style to the hyperbolic maximalist styles of that era. It assuredly is more than boxed logo tees; hoodies, and a pair of designer sneakers; although this is the blueprint of how it started. It was what set out the path for comfortability and self-expression.

“while predominantly led by black culture, the exterior view of streetwear only being associated with trends within fashion has given greater leeway to pop culture extending across fashion, art and music”

Primarily contributing to this movement were the founders of Supreme, Stussy, James Jebbia and Shawn Stussy. Daniel Day, fondly known as Dapper Dan, holds a pivotal role in pioneering streetwear to luxury through the era of the 1980’s out of Harlem, New York, through which he moulded styles for hip-hop artists who were recoiled by traditional luxury brands.

While predominantly led by black culture, the exterior view of streetwear only being associated with trends within fashion has given greater leeway to pop culture extending across fashion, art and music – From Jean-Michel Basquiat as well as Keith Haring defying the notions of the accessibility of art to people and who it was presumed to be for, through pushing for the conversation of street art and what constituted as contemporary art, apart from the hip hop roots in NYC; the surf skate culture from California and the Japanese influence – it is an indisputable fact that streetwear lives within art too as a form of individualism and making a statement.

Models Julia Kawal na Mutombw,

King Bonda Nguimbi, Cecilia Jia Si Liu

Photographer Ishaam Abrahams Photographer Assistant Shakir Coetzee Retoucher Sarah Nagel Creative Direction Nicholah Opoku Moyo

Models Savannah Reynolds, Simone Nyamabo, Shakir Coetzee Photographer Ishaam Abrahams Creative Direction Nicholah Opoku Moyo Retoucher Sarah Nagel Outfits Models’ own Make-up Peggy Syd Tambwe Hair Ayessa Chandrelle, Benta Hair Extensions Darling Hair South Africa Location Cape Town