Raf Simons is a Belgian fashion designer born in 1968. He has a meanser collection that is influenced by youth culture he has also launched a 12 piece collection of polo shirts and knitwear in 2008 as part of a collaboration whith fred perry. And in summer 2005 was appointed as creative director for the label Jil Sander which was owned by the prada group.
Collection:
His meanswer line 'Ref by Raf simons was launched in 2006. his fall/winter collection has been seen by many as one of the most impressive line of the season. " The whole idea of this collection is to work on the body which is that of a young boy on its journey to grow in to that of a mature man and to capture the budding spirit in brtween. throghout the collection there is a sharp contrast between futuristic robotics and haman sofness."
Many hip hop artists and executives have their own fashion labels and clothing line like:
Rocawear: was created in 1999 by Roc-A-Fella Records co-counders Damon Dash and Jay-Z is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America. Rocawer is a line for children, juniors, socks, sandals handbags, belts, headwear, jewelly and sunglasses. In march 2009 Rocawer launched its first social networking site offering style new, music, fashion and culture connections.
The Rocawear logo.
Rocawear knucle up varsity jacket.
Rocawear fur hood jacket with handbag.
Sean John: is a clothing company owed by Sean Combs and supermarket Ron Burkle. In 1998 the company launched a signature collection of sortwear under the name of Sean John. He has had some real good success with revenues now excecding 100 million annually. he has also been nominated for its excellence in design. In 2004 Sean was awarded the CFDA mean's designer of the year award and produced the first nationally televised runway show during fall fashion week.
Hip Hop Culture originated in African-American during the late 1970's it was a way for young teenagers to express themslves throught music, dancing, but in a form of rapping, breakdancing and graffiti.
Five cultural points:
DJing: One of the few first hip hop dj's was kool Dj Herc who created hip hop through the isolation of "breaks" mixtape Dj's have also emerged creating mixtapes with different artists and add exclusive songs an one disc.
Mcing: Also know as emceeing, spitting bars, rapping or just rhyming. Mcing is performed in time to the beat of the music, lyrics that have meaning like poems.
Graffiti: is recognized as a visual expression of rap music ranging from simple signatures to elaborate wall art. In America around the late 1960's it was commonly used to express social and political messages. Graffiti is also well identified with the term tagging, forms of imaging or lettering to identify the artist. Street gangs are also known for tagging to mark their territory .
Breaking: also called B-boying or breakdancing is a dynamic style of dance which developed as a part of the hip hop culture. in 1939's earl tucker invented a type of dancing called snakehips its involving one moving their hips in a fashion intended to look like the person had no skeleton. Breaking is one of the major elements of hip hop culture.
Beatboxing: is the vocalpercussion of hip hop culture. it is all about art of creating beats, rhythms and the using of human mouth as its a way of creating hip hop music.
SUB CULTURE INTERVIEW
1. Where is your home town?
Los Angeles, California
2. How would you describe your fashion style?
Smart/casual Hip Hop, I'm not into the sagging pants, but I like to represent my culture and have an obsession with coordination, from my watch to hats to my shoelaces.
3. Do you have a job? If so what do you work as?
Upcoming music artist, I class my music as sexual RnB.
4. Do you think its just as important as an artist to write as well as perform?
Yes, I feel as an artist you should be able to express yourself creatively which would mean you should be writing your own material. There are so many artists in the industry at the moment that are just props for their label. As an artist who can write you have other avenues like writing for others. Ne-yo was well known in the industry as a writer before he started singing himself.
5. What clubs/ bars do you go to?
I haven't really visited too many venues in London, but in California I frequent most of the Los Angeles clubs like The House of Blues, Cabana Club, The Living Room etc. I also like hanging out at different spoken word and open mic venues which are usually coffee shops during the day.
6. Do you think Fashion and Music go hand in hand?
Fashion and Music have always gone hand in hand and always will. A lot of music is inspired by fashion and many fashion trends have started from music.
7.What labels do you wear?
With me its not about labels, its if I like something. If it happens to have a label then cool. I'm more about originality and like to make an outfit work with a mixture of old and new.
8. Where do you shop?
Everywhere and anywhere, from department stores, high street shops and thrift stores.
9. Three things you couldn't live without?
My wife
Magic shave
BBQ sauce
10. What inspires you?
Life, creative children, those living life to the fullest
