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Ralph McDaniels + THHM + Mayor’s Office of New York City
The 50th anniversary of Hip Hop was kicked off on February 24th in ways that only the Culture could do with The Drip: 50 Years of Hip Hop Fashion. Video Music Box and The Hip Hop Museum, in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of the City of New York celebrated with a live fashion show at Times Square’s Hard Rock Hotel. Simultaneously celebrating the legacies and impacts of Dapper Dan, FUBU, Karl Kani, and Walker Wear, and presenting some of today’s celebrated emerging designers, including Malik Dupri, Haus of Swag, Riche Threads, and Pepper Jacques, this was a night like no other. Ground was broken, history was recognized, and new trends were set.
Iconic fashion designer Dapper Dan, surrounded by models wearing apparel from his capsule collections for GAP and PUMA
appearing at The Drip, February 24, 2023
Inspired by Ralph McDaniels’s and Video Music Box’s groundbreaking Phat Fashion Show, The Drip included video footage from ten years of original runway shows. “The Drip,” as the streets say, is everything. McDaniels has documented Hip Hop Fashion for more than 40 years. Before he screened film for the next generation of Hip Hop’s designers, influencers, and fashionistas, the executive producer declared, “Hip Hop’s influence on fashion is undeniable. Young Black and Brown designers and models made their own lane when the traditional fashion industry excluded them. So today, we celebrate those original trendsetters and the future leaders of Hip Hop fashion.”
Legendary Hip Hop Artist Special Ed, who performed “I Got it Made” with the Lo-Lifes Crew, wearing Polo, at The Drip, February 24, 2023
Among the surprises that night was the performance of Hip Hop legend Special Ed, who included “I Got it Made” in his set backed by the Lo-Lifes Crew. He wore Polo, a brand whose life he brought to the street. Dapper Dan’s runway models sported his capsule collections for the Gap (known as DAP) and his yet-to-be-released ensembles for PUMA. Whether you call it ready-to-wear or athleisure, today’s designs were inspired by young Black and Brown people. Their inherent style fueled and flavored designers in houses around the world. The irony that systemic barriers excluded these youths from participating as designers and models in New York Fashion Week is lost on no one. Hip Hop’s style and flair have influenced mainstream fashion for 50 years (and counting) in apparel and accessories, sneaker culture and jewelry design.
Keith Perrin, FUBU co-founder, with colleagues at The Drip, February 24, 2023
From the streets to the entertainment industry, around the world, Hip Hop style is as present as Hip Hop music. Rocky Bucano said, “For the past 50 years, Hip Hop fashion designers have carved their own lane in the fashion industry as creative entrepreneurs. Today, you can recognize Hip Hop style no matter where you see it globally.” New York City Mayor Eric Adams backed him by celebrating and showing off the hoodie designed for him by eminent fashion designers The Shirt Kings. Their pioneering, always painted with airbrush, custom-made graffiti pieces remixed pop culture elements and icons. Their vision was fundamental in the development of graffiti streetwear.
Hip Hop superstar Fat Joe and former Bronx Borough President Ruben Díaz, Jr.
supporting fashion designers, hip hop culture, and their shared history at The Drip, February 24, 2023
Not to be outdone by his forebears, Tyler A. Bennett, a Florida-based youth represented ICY (Inspiring Creative Youth) and spoke to the packed venue. He fervently shared how his generation can help to make positive change through the arts and Hip Hop. Bold. Creative. Cutting edge. Hip Hop Fashion has always been those. In the words of long-renowned designer Karl Kani, “In our ‘hood, dreams were blurry. This thing called Hip Hop opened our minds and cleared the vision. Hip Hop gave us the confidence like this belongs to us.”
Exactly.
by Ralph McDaniels, creator of Video Music Box and the Video Music Box Collection, and Kate Harvie, Contributing Writer for The Hip Hop Museum (originally published March 2023)
