Streetwear has grown from a niche subculture into a global fashion force, blending skate, hip-hop, and urban influences. This article highlights 11 of the most iconic streetwear brands that have defined the culture and left a lasting impact on the industry.
Table of Contents
1. Stüssy
Founded: 1980
Founder: Shawn Stussy
Origin: Laguna Beach, USA
Stüssy is one of the original streetwear brands, being a lot older than many others on this list.
Stüssy was made by Shawn Stussy, a surfer who started by selling custom-made surfboards and later expanded into clothing selling T-shirts with the same signature he placed on his custom surfboards. What started as a small, local business quickly grew as Stüssy’s designs became popular with the skate and surf community.
Key Contributions:
- One of the first streetwear brands.
- Strong roots in surf and skate culture.
- Continues to influence modern streetwear trends.
2. Supreme
Founded: 1994
Founder: James Jebbia
Origin: New York, USA
Supreme is arguably the most iconic streetwear brand, popular for its minimalistic designs and limited-edition releases.
James Jebbia started Supreme as a skate shop in New York, catering to the skateboarding community. Supreme has had Collaborations with brands like Nike, Louis Vuitton, and The North Face which has solidified Supreme’s status in both streetwear and luxury fashion.
Supreme has a drop culture, where new products are released in limited quantities which often leads to items selling out in minutes but the brand has fallen off a little over the last couple of years with their prime being in 2015-2017.
Key Contributions:
- Pioneered the “drop” culture.
- Known for high-profile collaborations.
- Fuses streetwear with luxury.
3. Off-White
Founded: 2012
Founder: Virgil Abloh
Origin: Milan, Italy
Off-White is a luxury streetwear brand created by the late Virgil Abloh, a designer with a background in architecture, the brand is known for its distinctive use of quotation marks, zip ties, and bold graphics.
Off-White is a mix between streetwear and high fashion, making it popular among celebrities and fashion enthusiasts. Abloh also became the artistic director for Louis Vuitton’s menswear, further bridging the gap between street culture and high fashion.
Off-white has a lot of iconic designs and collaborations like the Off-White Air Jordans 1 and a lot of other nice designs but since Off-white is a luxury streetwear brand they are a bit pricey.
Key Contributions:
- Blending high fashion with streetwear.
- Iconic use of industrial and minimalist design elements.
- Significant impact on modern fashion culture.
4. A Bathing Ape (BAPE)
Founded: 1993
Founder: Nigo (Tomoaki Nagao)
Origin: Tokyo, Japan
A Bathing Ape, or BAPE, is one of the pioneers of Japanese streetwear. Nigo, a former editor at Popeye magazine, founded BAPE with a vision to create a brand that combined his love for American pop culture and Japanese aesthetics.
BAPE’s camo patterns, shark hoodies, and star-studded sneakers have become iconic in the streetwear community and their popularity is not only because of their distinct designs but also in their ability to create a cult following, particularly in Japan and later in the global market.
Key Contributions:
- Popularized Japanese streetwear globally.
- Iconic camo and shark hoodie designs.
- A strong influence on other streetwear brands.
5. Nike
Founded: 1964
Founders: Bill Bowerman, Phil Knight
Origin: Beaverton, USA
While Nike is primarily known as a giant sportswear brand. Their influence on streetwear is undeniable. The Nike sneakers, particularly the Air Jordan line, have become staples in the streetwear community.
Nike’s collaborations with designers, artists, and streetwear brands like Supreme, Off-White, and Travis Scott have made Nike pretty popular with streetwear consumers.
Key Contributions:
- Iconic sneaker lines are integral to streetwear culture.
- Big collaborations that merge sportswear with street fashion.
- Pioneered the “sneakerhead” culture.
6. Adidas
Founded: 1949
Founder: Adolf Dassler
Origin: Herzogenaurach, Germany
Similar to Nike, Adidas has had a big impact on streetwear even though they aren’t primarily a streetwear brand. The brand’s three-stripe logo is recognized worldwide, and its products have become more than just athletic shoes and become fashion staples.
The rise of the Superstar, Stan Smith, and Yeezy lines has cemented Adidas’s place in streetwear history. Collaborations with artists like Kanye West and Pharrell Williams have further propelled the brand into the forefront of streetwear fashion.
Key Contributions:
- Sneakers that became streetwear icons.
- Strong influence on global streetwear trends.
7. Palace Skateboards
Founded: 2009
Founder: Lev Tanju
Origin: London, UK
Palace Skateboards is a relatively new brand that has quickly become popular in streetwear. Its roots are deeply embedded in skate culture, and Palace is known for its playful and nice designs, often featuring bold graphics and retro-inspired aesthetics.
The brand’s Triangle logo is easily recognizable and they integrate it well into their designs. Palace is very popular within the skating community so wearing their brand will tell others you have the same interest as them and make another skater easier to approach.
Collaborations with brands like Adidas and Reebok are what helped Palace gain a big and global following.
Key Contributions:
- Innovative and playful designs.
- Strong ties to skate culture.
- Rapid rise to global recognition.
8. Kith
Founded: 2011
Founder: Ronnie Fieg
Origin: New York, USA
Kith was founded by Ronnie Fieg and is not exactly a streetwear brand because they have alot of high-fashion clothes that don’t fit the streetwear aesthetic but the ones that do look amazing.
Kith’s approach to streetwear is more refined, often having more luxury elements in its collections. This blend has made the brand quite iconic as well as alot of collaborations with other big brands like Nike and New Balance
Key Contributions:
- A blend of streetwear and luxury aesthetics.
- High-profile collaborations that elevate streetwear.
- Expanding streetwear into a lifestyle concept.
9. The Hundreds
Founded: 2003
Founders: Bobby Kim (Bobby Hundreds) and Ben Shenassafar (Ben Hundreds)
Origin: Los Angeles, USA
The Hundreds is a community-driven brand that emphasizes its roots in California’s skate, punk, and hip-hop scenes.
Known for its bold graphics, particularly the Adam Bomb logo, The Hundreds has maintained its authenticity by staying true to its core values of community and culture.
The brand’s focus on storytelling and cultural commentary has allowed it to build a loyal following over the years.
Key Contributions:
- Community-focused approach to streetwear.
- Strong cultural and graphic identity.
- Deep ties to California’s street culture.
10. Carhartt WIP
Founded: 1989 (original Carhartt founded in 1889)
Founder: Hamilton Carhartt
Origin: Dearborn, USA (Carhartt WIP – Europe)
Carhartt WIP (Work In Progress) is the streetwear offshoot of the American workwear brand Carhartt. While Carhartt was originally known for its durable workwear, WIP reinterprets these designs for a streetwear audience, blending utility with style.
The brand has become a staple in European streetwear culture, known for its rugged aesthetics and timeless appeal. Carhartt WIP’s influence extends beyond streetwear, impacting music and art scenes as well.
Key Contributions:
- Blending workwear with streetwear aesthetics.
- Strong presence in European streetwear.
- Timeless, durable designs that transcend trends.
11. Fear of God
Founded: 2013
Founder: Jerry Lorenzo
Origin: Los Angeles, USA
Fear of God, founded by Jerry Lorenzo, represents the intersection of streetwear, luxury, and religious symbolism. The brand is known for its oversized silhouettes, muted color palettes, and high-quality materials.
Fear of God’s collections often features a mix of streetwear staples like hoodies and sneakers with more tailored pieces, creating a unique blend of casual and refined fashion.
Collaborations with Nike and Ermenegildo Zegna highlight the brand’s versatility and broad appeal.
Key Contributions:
- Elevated streetwear with luxury elements.
- Unique mix of religious and cultural influences.
- Successful high-fashion collaborations.
Conclusion
These 11 brands represent the breadth and diversity of streetwear, each contributing uniquely to the culture and evolution of the style. From Supreme’s drop culture to Off-White’s luxury collaborations, and from Nike’s sneaker dominance to Cav Empt’s avant-garde designs, these brands have defined and continue to push the boundaries of what streetwear can be. Whether through their iconic logos, groundbreaking collaborations, or their ability to tap into the zeitgeist of youth culture, these brands have earned their place as icons in the world of streetwear.
