Streetwear vs. Couture: The Evolving Aesthetic Power Struggle

Streetwear vs. Couture: Who Owns the Runway?

As fashion and design evolve, we’re witnessing the transition of two completely different styles merging and clashing. Let’s explore the fascinating history of these opposite styles, the industries driving them, the celebrities who step outside traditional fashion norms, and the designers who have transformed the fashion industry.

Streetwear Fashion: Urban Creativity

Streetwear fashion originated as a casual style from urban cultures like skaters, surfers, and hip-hop enthusiasts. During the rise of these subcultures from the 1970s to the 1990s, brands like Stüssy and Supreme started adding graphic logos inspired by skateboard stickers to t-shirts, hoodies, and pants. Sneaker culture began to take over the fashion scene when celebrities like Jay-Z, Biggie, Snoop Dogg, and Michael Jordan debuted their fresh aesthetic. Jay-Z even created a streetwear brand called Rocawear that was primarily worn in the hip-hop world as a style symbol. Streetwear was born from marginalized communities that sought to express their creative freedom through fashion.

Couture Fashion: Exclusive Luxury

Couture is the embodiment of exclusive art tailored to the body. In 19th-century Paris, Charles Frederick Worth would handcraft detailed pieces tailored to elite clients. They were one-of-a-kind, made with luxurious materials, and intricate designs that earned him the title of the “father” of haute couture. Worth revolutionized the fashion world as we know today as “Haute Couture.” While the couture industry dwindled during wartime, it was revived in 1947 by Dior’s “New Look”, which reawakened Worth’s legacy and reshaped high fashion. Couture remains a symbol of luxury, artistry, and status.

Celebrity Influence

Many celebrities in the 2000s set trends that fans eagerly followed. It was seen as “totally cool” to find the same tracksuit as Beyoncé or the same sneakers as your favorite athlete. Many of the latest trends we see today reflect the influence of what supermodels like Anok Yai and Mason Alton are rocking on the streets of Los Angeles and New York. Streetwear has become a prominent staple in Anok Yai’s styles, her personal branding and editorial looks incorporate elements of streetwear fashion. Lady Gaga, by contrast, is a great example of what couture truly is. Her elaborate style is a representation of the art on runways that designers keep exclusive to big names like Gaga herself. Meanwhile, Mason Alton doesn’t confine himself to one style. He blends both aesthetics as he balances edgy streetwear with avant-garde couture in his red-carpet appearances.

Audience Influence: The Power of Fashion

Streetwear has always targeted marginalized groups and the working class. As trends develop, it is easier to lean towards more affordable options. Streetwear isn’t just about saving money, it’s very accessible, encourages individual self-expression, and builds community. It’s a sense of identity when done authentically and any cool pair of baggy jeans is a great conversation starter. Couture has been very influential in the fashion industry, from Chanel’s iconic suits to Mugler’s signature silhouettes. Much like streetwear, couture is a form of identity and a marker of wealth. Couture is marketed towards the upper class where designers like Schiaparelli aren’t afraid to add a lion’s head to Kylie Jenner’s red-carpet dress. The whole point is to showcase bold pieces of art rather than attainable fashion.

The Price Just Went Up! And Down?

Couture fashion has always raised eyebrows for its innovative take on what’s runway worthy. These designs were so iconic and expensive that people just had to get their hands on them yet find a way around these price tags. Lo and behold the duplication era began, or as you may know it, “dupes.” What was once luxury like Louis Vuitton bags and Gucci belts is now widely copied. Places like Canal Street in New York City have become infamous for mass-producing designer handbags, shoes, and accessories for less than half of their original price. Although this is more attainable for the working class, this duplication dilemma dilutes brand value. In response, many designers patent their designs and instill copyright on their products. For many companies, this can work, but when resellers multiply, it gets harder to sue everyone. As a result, designers started to intentionally make hard-to-replicate pieces to maintain exclusivity. What was once associated with one community, started to become widely worn. Streetwear was very niche in the 90s and made a comeback in present-day trends. The rise of consumer culture has caused a peak in fast fashion and its quick reproduction has also lowered the quality of clothing. We can see a pattern of the same silhouettes, colors, and graphics which ties into how quantity is far more important than quality in today’s day and age. Sneaker culture was a major factor in streetwear and having the latest shoes was often the priciest piece in your wardrobe, and even then, it was under $100. Sneaker resellers have recognized a demand for the trends which increases initial prices. Being a “sneaker head” and having large collections of the latest Jordans has always been around until it became unaffordable to most. Much like couture, replicas were created. Sneaker enthusiasts have spoken out, urging manufacturers to crackdown on counterfeit production as it diminishes the value of authentic sneakers.

Designers Leveraging Trends

Many high-end brands nowadays are noticing a rise in trends regarding streetwear fashion. They take inspiration from the trends and while prices inflate, the communities that created them are excluded. Maison Margiela has profited from the same idea and is widely known for their split-toe tabis. But did you know that this design originated from Japanese workers? They are called jikatabi, traditional Japanese split-toe footwear, and have been worn for centuries due to their comfort and durability.  There is an irony to luxury brands like Balenciaga and Yeezy creating limited edition distressed shoes and sweaters that cost thousands of dollars. On the contrary, we still have brands that stick firmly to their aesthetics. Chanel and Tory Burch remain loyal to couture’s timeless designs and exclusivity. Chanel’s iconic suits are a representation of their brand identity as even recreated versions get automatically associated with Chanel. Schiaparelli is another brand that stays loyal to their intricate, celebrity-driven couture. Doja Cat can be seen wearing Shiaparelli’s sculptural designs at Paris Fashion Week or Cardi B’s extravagant Thom Browne ensemble at the Met Gala.

Streetwear as Couture? Couture as Streetwear?

Two different styles, walking on opposite runways, can we classify one as the other? The short answer is yes and no. Technically, streetwear, if handcrafted, unique, high-quality, and exclusive, could be considered couture by definition. Of course, it’s always subjective how fashion is viewed and streetwear is all about inclusivity, but the lines become blurry when designs showcase a streetwear aesthetic with couture price tags. Couture, on the other hand, cannot be classified as streetwear. The designers have a certain vision to their work and streetwear does not quite align with the path they are taking in the modern era. Couture can be inherently elitist when it comes to its target audience. The clothes are marketed toward wealthy, high-profile individuals.

Looking Ahead: Who Decides What Fashion Becomes?

Streetwear and couture are two highly distinctive styles that each highlight tensions between accessibility, artistry, and status. They reveal who fashion is for who gets to participate, and what happens when creativity meets capitalism. So, what’s next? Can fashion respect its roots while embracing innovation? Can we expect to see a whole new meaning to couture and streetwear as time goes on? Its future remains subjective—and in the hands of society. Fashion isn’t just about what’s trending. It’s about history, identity, and power. Your style says something—and the world is watching.