Hip-Hop and Fashion

Vol. 13

Due to the fact that I am so interested in mixing the fashion and entertainment industries, I decided this week to look into how others view the mixing of the two industries and the relevance of another company trying to mix the two. This week my research took www.askmen.com where there was an article ‘Hip-Hop Fashion” where the two industries were discussed. The article speaks about the fact that as Hip-Hop is increasing so are the rapper desires for high fashion pieces, it states that the rappers are learning what has been known for years “Nothing says filthy, stinking rich like conspicuous consumption”. Which basically states that as rappers see more income from their music they want to show the wealth by purchasing and wearing high fashion pieces. The music industry is an industry where it has went from having talent to an industry where mainstream acceptance means total success. Which has turned the entertainment industry into one all about the flash of money.

The article goes on to discuss how the industry has turned into one where it is almost required to flaunt the pieces one is able to acquire with their recent wealth. Because of this the article states that “fashion was simply the next worldly possession on the list”. This simply shows how now the only thing that is needed is good fashion sense to gain a following. This shows that the mixing of the entertainment and fashion industries in greatly needed especially since so many artists are merging the two unknowingly. With the recent demands for high fashion its cuts out the quick imitations that seldom occur from admirers wanting to look like the next up and coming artist. Therefore limiting the ability to dress like your favorite artist, unless your pockets could handle the financial burden of keeping up with the Jone’s.

The article goes on to speak about the rapper as the designer. It questions the ability for designers to answer all of the hip-hop fashion trends when the artists are the ones living and breathing the lifestyle. With music moguls entering the fashion industry with an impact with such companies like Jay-Z’s Rocawear, Russell Simmons Phat Farm, etc.

Read more: http://www.askmen.com/daily/austin_60/79_fashion_style.html#ixzz1u8UTueUh