I blame @khenbee and @valerie15 why I am writing this article. We have been hanging out in our Discord server for @steemitfamilyph and somebody always manages to sneak the current National Anthem of Pinoy Hypebeast's entitled "Hayaan mo na sila" (Just Leave them be) by Ex Battalion & O.C. Dawgs.

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Credits to Ex Battalion Music

Culture of Fashion

I don't really follow fashion as I am a suit and tie wearing guy in the office and when I am out I just put a regular polo shirt or vneck t-shirt and some black denim jeans and my trusty Chucks. I like it plain and simple.

Yet the culture behind Fashion is fascinating as you look at the reason why such a fashion movement happened. The times, the music, the issues that were being discussed and the wars being fought.

I will not discuss all the trends bur rather some of those that made a strong impression to myself.

The Punk Anarchist

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It originated in England among the young who was disenfranchised by economic inequality and how the ordinary working people were neglected and their rights trampled by corporations and the concept of "The Man". This concept of an entity that control everything and is putting down everyone else appealed to them.

Music that heavily influenced the Punk Movement were The Clash, The Ramones and locally in the Philippines with The Wuds. Some of the central themes of Punk rock was of being anti-establishment, socialism, anarchy and not selling out.

Leather or Denim jackets were the rage as well as acid washed jeans with either boots or dirty sneakers. Mohawks were the hairstyle of choice for both men and women.

Hip Hop

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With the era of Disco and its huge bell bottoms almost at its end the era of Hiphop started in the Bronx in the United States. The Black and Latino minority was largely perceived as marginalized communities that was prone to gang wars, economic issues and recipient of police brutality.

In the forefront of the music and fashion of Hiphop were the likes of DJ Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash and Afrika Bambaataa who utilized emceeing and turntable techniques to produce a new kind of sound. They used the music to talk about social issues plaguing their communities as well as a form of release for all the pent up injustice they were feeling. Locally we had the likes of Francis M. and Mastaplann

Adidas Tracksuits and sneakers were kept clean and fresh. The hair at the time were afros or closely shaved heads to rock those caps.

Grunge Metal

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Grunge or sometimes called Seattle Sound where it originated was a mix between Heavy metal and Punk Rock. Using a lot of distortion and dark themed lyrics of pain and socialism.

Iconic at the fashion were boots or dirty sneakers, unwashed jeans over a shirt and a plaid polo short or long sleeves. Hair were usually long and unkempt.

Local artists had the likes of Wolfgang and The Youth.

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These three cultures converged into Manila in the early 2000s and they mostly kept apart with their own venues of enjoying their respective cultures and music.

The Heavy Metal and Grunge stayed in Club Dredd and the Hiphops stayed in Malate clubs like Bedrock. Malls were supposed to be a neutral ground but proved to be dangerous as groups would descend on lone people from other culture and beat them.

It grew so bad that there were several malls that barred entry to larger groups.

Enter the 2017-2018's and the Pinoy Hypebeast

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Hypebeast actually came from an online clothing store that promised to find the newest and freshest kicks (Sneakers) and attire to go with it, Created in Hongkong on 2005 by Kevin Ma.

It has become sort of a derogatory term to call people who are obsessed with overpriced fashion. They would not bat an eye buying shirts from $100 USD up to $2000 USD just to get limited editions and first runs.

This would be followed in the Philippines by rich people, models and actors/actress. Thus bringing it mainstream because they are social influencers. People who can afford it would buy Sneakers from Yeezy, Supreme shirts and snapback caps to complete the look.

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This would trickle down to the masses who mostly cannot afford to but these overpriced sneakers and apparel and would make do with with knock-offs and fakes bought in the market.

People would call them trying hard copycats, Jejemon 2.0 , cancer of the society, thugs and misfits. To outsiders they are tagged as looking stupid but to them this is the way for them to become closer. To belong to a community that will not judge them for their flaws but rather accept them for their individuality. To them they are a crew that will stand by them even if the going gets rough.

We make fun of them now but how did you look when you were growing up? How did go fare when you were young, dumb and broke?

Credits to GMA Public Affairs
Punk Source
Hip Hop Source
Grunge Source
Hypebeast

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