At each MAGIC Fashion Trade Show, Label Networks presents latest fashion trends from street and youth culture to a packed conference room averaging around 300 people from all aspects of the fashion industry. For those of you who won’t be able to make it however, we thought we’d provide a quick peak at one of the slides regarding the Gym Class Heroes look (not to be confused with the actual band).
This trend has been around now for about 2 years, but what’s notable is how it’s evolved, including influences in changes in hoodie silhouettes. The look has also been so strong that one of Madonna’s outfits on her Hard Candy Tour starting this month is a take on this look.
Taken originally from influential styles from American Apparel, including short shorts with white piping, a throwback to the ‘70’s, young guys and girls quickly adapted it and took things to the next level with pulled up striped tube socks (now with exaggerated long socks), alice bands in indie asymmetrical haircuts, and usually paired with colorful Converse sneakers.
There are offshoots to this look inspired from a retro yet futuristic sporty inspiration such as new trends in motochic as seen at the X Games by gold medalist Kyle Loza and his neon colored bike and black and white patterned motocross outfit. The Olympics are also adding influence with arm sleeves (the DIY version being cut-off tube socks) and short sleek tops.
The Gym Class Heroes look is also is impacting changes in hoodies—sleeveless, larger hoods, with 3-striped piping like baseball jackets at the bottom, and in many cases, in cleaner textures, silk, and shorter, almost vest-like so that the emphasis is actually on the hood itself.
It’s a fun, young, sporty look that has seeped into many aspects of designers-ready-wear-collections for next season.
More information about Label Networks’ presentation at MAGIC: “Global Youth + Street Culture Fashion: Examining Directional Trends for ‘09/10 Inspired from Music, Sports, Street, Technology, + Emerging Global Subcultures" promises tight and unique insight into the landscape of global youth + street culture fashion trends. Backed by authentic street-level knowledge with fresh angles and inspiration derived from Label Networks’ primary consumer research data gathered from thousands of interviews with 13-30-year-olds, plus cutting-edge photography, + video clips from across North America, Europe, Japan, and China, the Presentation will be one-of-a-kind.
Topics covered include directional youth + street fashion trends emerging from the most influential landscapes: technology + internet, music, sports, and global DIY aesthetics, with specifics on top styles and attitudes, T-shirt graphics, denim, accessories, sneaker culture, key new collaborations, retailers, and merch. Going a step further, Label Networks will also touch on fresh influences from Japan, China, parts of Europe, and growing subcultures in the U.S. that are creating new energy ranging from military influences to religion to sustainability.
Location: Las Vegas Convention Center, NV, during MAGIC, South Hall, Room MS226; Tuesday, August 26, 2008@ 1-2 p.m.; and Wednesday, August 27, 2008at 11-12 p.m.This presentation is free to those attending MAGIC. Label Networks will also provide excerpts to Premium subscribers in September. Spaces go fast!
