Politically Correct

Are we seeing the resurgence of political streetwear?

- Namrata Kedar

Possibly the most discernible facet of contemporary streetwear is the humble slogan-slapped T-shirt. While emblazoned slogans make for an authentic and decidedly individual statement, streetwear designers have always deemed it more than just a trend. Weighing in their opinions on the political, cultural and socio-economic state of the world, and voicing it through potent slogans – streetwear has always found its roots in politics.

The ’80s and ’90s were marked by the rise of cult streetwear labels that did not shy away from social commentary with examples in PNB aka ‘Post No Bills’. They were calling out racial injustice by taking the abbreviation and adapting them into terms like ‘Puerto Ricans ‘N Blacks’ and ‘Proud Nubian Brothers’, creating Tees that read ‘It’s A Black Thing... You Wouldn’t Understand’. Streetwear was more that just stylish garb, it was a means to agitate and address societal norms.

Circa now, a political upheaval has erupted launching us into an era of Brexit, Trump, terrorism, sexism and racism. The new generation of designers is politically aware and unafraid of expressing their opinions. Brexit creatively stirred many designers including Philip Ellis and British designer of Indian origin Ashish Gupta.