Cashmere Thoughts

Considering that Hip-Hop is one of the most successful genres in music history, it is surprising that it is one of the least referenced in the world of high fashion. Though its true form is a bit unpolished, there have been other genres that inspired superb street style. Think about Grunge, it was founded as a sort of working-class wear and later interpreted into expensive designer styling, courtesy of Marc Jacobs at Perry Ellis. Then there is the Hippie movement, again a slightly rough-around-the-edges style that went straight to the catwalks of Etro and Missoni.

So, why are most great designers so reluctant to design a more urban and aggressive look? Especially since the genre is almost solely based on the search for the cool and luxurious...



Fashion made very few strides during Hip-Hop's Golden Age (Isaac Mizrahi and Chanel) and even fewer in its present most popular era (Tommy Hilfiger and Alexander Wang). Relevant designers everywhere should be inspired by the colorful and unique essence of genuine Hip-Hop style and finally mold it into its deserving form- a rich and tasteful aesthetic.













De La Soul, The Fugees, Lil Kim, Grandmaster Flash, M.I.A, Outkast, Missy Elliott, Eric B. and Rakim, Aaliyah, & Tribe Called Quest