Making a Statement Through Fashion

Rediscovering Streetwear Roots

We live in an ever more connected world where we’re exposed trends of the moment and often expected to follow suit.  Modern fashion has produced template styles and repurposed fashion where the only difference is the brand name attached, creating a menswear experience that has little room for personality.

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t designers and brands out there trying to change the game. Over 50 years ago, menswear began to change, in the 1960s, replacing suits and ties with casual style, initiated by members of the counter-culture movement. That change continued into the late 80’s and early 90’s, starting in LA, born of the surf culture that inspired Shawn Stussy to start his eponymous brand.  Later adopted by the Hip Hop and Skateboard cultures, Streetwear blew up in the 1990’s and could be seen in music videos and on your favorite stars and athletes, birthing a new pop culture with fashion at its center.  Over time, however, especially with the rise of social media, we’ve landed in a zeitgeist where trend looks of the moment are copied and emulated en masse.

Nevertheless, the creativity from which the streetwear movement was born continues. With the rise of Ecommerce, up and coming brands, like Mikey Yaw, are stepping in to provide a fresh perspective.

The Power of Streetwear

Streetwear fills a void in fashion, giving the wearer a chance to make a statement with their own personal style that reflects who they are as a person. The bright colors, fonts, designs and patterns that are essential parts of streetwear are painted on a canvas of wardrobe basics - tees, hoodies, sweatshirts, hats beanies - that are affordable and accessible to the young audience that craves them.  As youth culture is often the initiator of change and evolution, their affection for streetwear provides the perfect avenue for youth culture to express their views. Today, sustainability is just such a concern that youth culture is making one of their top priorities.

Sustainability vs Fast Fashion

Fast Fashion, the rapid production of inexpensive clothes by mass market retailers in response to the latest trends, is leading to overproduction, environmental degradation and exploitative labor practices.  As our world becomes ever more chaotic, tense and expensive, youth culture is turning away from the unsustainable model of fast fashion.  Youth culture is concerned about the future of the Earth and their ability to live in a world with clean air and water and plentiful resources.  They are now seeking brands that prioritize sustainable, ethical production, and environmental responsibility. What better way to voice those concerns than through the streetwear fashion they revere.

Its Your Voice, Use It

Mikey Yaw is seeking to step into that model of sustainable fashion. But we want to go one step further.  In addition to utilizing a print on demand model that eliminates the waste of overproduction, Mikey Yaw is also creating designs with a message that speak to the concerns of our chaotic, unpredictable world.  We blend art and street style in a way that allows our customers to use their voice, loudly, without saying a word. We Defy The Norm. It is perhaps the ultimate form of self-expression and is more important now than ever before.