Hip Hop Celebrates 50th Anniversary, Museum at FIT Plans New Exhibition – WWD

Hip-hop’s influence on fashion seems ubiquitous now, but FIT’s museum is planning an exhibition that expands on its origins and lasting influence.

From February 8th to April 23rd, Fresh, Fly and Fabulous: Fifty Years of Hip-Hop Style celebrates the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. The show will be the museum’s first show dedicated to one of his musical genres.

In a joint interview Monday, Fashion Institute of Technology’s Elena Romero and Elizabeth Way, who co-curated the show, discussed the anniversary of hip-hop’s next milestone and how they plan to spread the genre’s narrative. Hip-hop took off in 1973 thanks to black and brown youth in the Bronx who created a defining style of music, dance and visual arts that reflected a lifestyle.

As a former Associate Editor of DNR and former Contributing Editor of WWD, Romero is part of the hip-hop generation, covering the height of hip-hop fashion, experiencing it as part of her culture, and ‘Free Stylin’. I wrote a book called. : How hip-hop changed the fashion industry.”

She came up with the concept for the 2018 show. It’s a form of expression and the style goes hand in hand with the music,” she said.

In addition to the holistic approach, the fact that the exhibition is curated by a woman is noteworthy. Because much of the market perspective traditionally comes from the male perspective. Exhibition designer Courtney Sloane is also associated with hip hop, Queen He has worked with Latifah, Sean Combs, Bad Boy He has worked with Entertainment, Vibe, Her Magazine Office and Hip Hop including Rock and Roll of Fame. I also design her exhibitions.

From the very beginning of the exhibition, visitors will learn that hip-hop style has been the dress code of choice at various club venues. Various forms of media, including record labels, television shows, and movies, used fashion to promote hip-hop artists and ideas. FIT’s museum spotlights sections such as designer dreams, high fashion does hip-hop, collaborations, and hip-hop in high fashion, crossing established brands such as Joe Dash, Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton and Gucci. emphasize the connection between There’s also information about Dapper Dan, Guy Wood Sr. of 5001 Flavors and his husband-and-wife team of Sharene, pioneering graffiti and his streetwear makers Custom Shirt King Phade.

While celebrity brands and endorsements were rampant, in the early ’90s, hip-hop-inspired fashion was a popular vehicle for musicians and entrepreneurs to expand their reach, Romero said. , like FUBU, always had a flair for hip-hop, although some expanded into other categories such as suits and bedding.

In the 90s, many transitioned from musicians to moguls, including Sean Jean of Sean “Puffy” Combs, Phat Farm and Jay-Z of Russell Simmons, and Rocawear of Damon Dash. According to Romero, they were among his entrepreneurs who helped spark interest in the field.

“There were a lot of artists who challenged entrepreneurship, and it made a lot of sense to them. They realized how influential they had become by influencing fashion brands and styles,” Romero said. “It was a natural progression for artists to move beyond mere endorsements to promote their own brands. I know there is.”

At the Museum at FIT, gallery-goers can also find sections on sports influences, pink, celebrity style and hip-hop glam. Fashion, jewelry, sneakers and other accessories are offered by approximately 50 collectors and lenders. There are also dazzling acrylic his nails custom made by Cardi B’s nail stylist Jenny Vui. Disco Fever of Sal Avatiero of The Bronx, Ralph McDaniels of Video Music Box, Monica Lynch of Tommy Boy Records, April Walker and others explain the hip-hop artist’s global influence as a 21st century red his carpet fashion icon. was helpful. Romero also attended. Her brass-plated signature her belt her buckle is featured in the exhibition.

Romero said the show’s aim is to expand hip-hop’s horizons beyond certain looks and eras, to see the full spectrum of “men, women, and the world.”

Hip-hop has had the greatest influence on culture since the 90s and earlier. From a fashion perspective, hip-hop traces can be seen in haute couture and designer runways, American brands and Intercontinental styles.

Arguably, 50 years of hip-hop style is too much to cover in one exhibition, so next year’s show will be more skewed through a New York lens, hip-hop making denim, outerwear and formalwear its own. The curators said they would spotlight how they did it. .

Statement pieces such as Adidas sneakers, tracksuits and shearling coats popularized by Run DMC will be mixed with Karl Kani-designed clothing worn by the late Tupac Shakur. Tommy Hilfiger bandeau and jeans from Aaliyah. Fashion items worn by Lil’ Kim, Cardi B, and Lil Nas X will also be on display.

A symposium is planned for next year, a related book will be published by Rizzoli, and other talks will be given to bring the exhibition to life after the opening. “Looking at 50-year-old hip-hop captures the story and history of this very important period. It conveys how important it was,” Romero said.