Streetwear: The Insider's Guide
In this energetic "street fashion bible," freelance writer and former pro skateboarder Vogel asks fashion designers around the globe, "how do you define streetwear?" Contrasting considerate discussion with bold graphics, cityscapes, glossy product photographs (T-shirts, hoodies and sneakers are well-represented) and gritty portraits of the folks involved, this volume makes both an introductory "who's who" and a serious inquiry into the history, boundaries and direction of the subculture. Though subjects exhibit plenty of hope and enthusiasm, many worry over the mainstreaming of street culture; what "started as an artistic or social movement" has begun "to shift focus entirely on to product and consumerism," says the founder of Virginia retail outlet Commonwealth. Unsurprisingly, product is given a large measure of attention, and an index for would-be purchasers provides contact info; otherwise, the book is dominated by profiles of artists, entrepreneurs, labels and stores, and is capped with a list of magazines, web sites and books for further reading. Interviews range in tone from contemplative to funny to irreverent absurdity, capturing a diverse cross-section of the population. Though the constantly evolving subculture may be better chronicled by a regularly published magazine, this book's impressive graphic design and heartfelt attitude make it a shining time capsule for the current moment.Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.