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Monday, March 15, 2010

The Untapped Market of Fashion in the UAE


The Past 1970's to 1980's


Present Day Hip Hop/Street/Urban Style


Today, I was just sitting back thinking about which style of clothing design is missing in Dubai. We pretty much have every fashion brand available from leading couture designers to Karama knock-offs, but what we do not have is “true” Hip Hop-Urban-Street Style designers. You might think that people in Dubai are not concerned about this genra of apparel, but you are mistaken! There is an untapped market…and it is the youth market!

Let’s be honest…not everyone has money to get the latest runway collections, especially young people. So why aren't any local designers observing how the kids of the UAE dress? Don't they know that in order to become locally or internationally known, they need to examine trends? From my observation, the young adults have developed their own style of expressing themselves, and it is truly reminiscent of different Hip Hop era gear, integrated with Arabic influences. With that said, I thought it would be cool to show some of the past-to-present trends of Hip Hop fashion, and see how it has all come full circle!

I love Hip Hop, and I wish someone would take notice of the urban street style in this country and make something for our youth. If not, then maybe I will establish my own clothing line. Hey…you never know!

What are your thoughts on this subject? Do you love street fashion? Who are your favorite Hip-hop designers? Please leave your comments, and don't forget to "tell'm I told you!"

Tc,
Nia B

12 comments:

D W JazzLover said...

Right on target..

Anonymous said...

This is really a dope post...i wouldn't go into the hiphop cause, i may lost you lol. But it brings back a bunch of memory's of back in the day and the clothing trends we rocked....baggy hiphop lines etc. But baggy for me, is old skool and 'fit' is in and i must say, i love the cool in the hiphop styles of today....in terms of artist for a visual reference...Lupe, Kanye, Kid Cudi, Pharrell...jus to name the popular names but there are many.

Again...Really great post and relating to your Dubai ppls.

But as you blog about this...bring to us...the actual styles in Dubai in terms of images etc.

Nia B said...

Great advice Brian. Infact I planned on doing that next post. However with this post,I just wanted to put the word out to the local designers because they are the ones who need to look and see whats out here in Dubai. Why should I just give it to them first time around?

Anyway, thanks for the comment! Your the best!


Tc, Nia B

Duck said...

Haha "Back in the day..."

omg I can't believe your mum was in her videos! so funny!

xx
Duck

christinaooi said...

hm, i'd never really thought of that....

:)

Appeal to the Eye said...

hei girl you rrrrock
I just received from amazon the book back in the days, it's amazing and so happy to see that you appreciate that bible of style as well

much love
http://appealtotheeye.blogspot.com

verena stefanie

coffee.muffins.boyfriends said...

i pretty much love pastry kicks now. they are fun to wear and to play your outfit around. or adidas originals classics. but actually, i don't think you have to always go with a street/hip hop brand in order to look urban and etc. i guess, it's just the process of finding this or that key piece in places you least expect

Zi said...

cool pictures!
remind me of good things
xoxo

Becca. said...

love this post!
thankyou for the comment on my blog! :)
is that you on your blog header?
XOXO, BECCA
http://fashion-train.blogspot.com

Bisous Natasha said...

I love the Run DMC style. It's interesting you bring that up. I always asumed in Dubai people wear mainly designer brands. Maybe its a western stereotype but it would be interesting to get brands like Billionaire Boys Club (Pharell) being popular over there.

Nia B said...

Listen everyone; I was not trying to say that the photos listed under “present” were a representation of all of hip hop clothing today. All I was trying to do with this post was to show similarities between the past and the present, as well as ask the local designers why they are not looking at the trends of the youth in our local area. I did not aspect to be attacked by people who want to sound like they are the authority on the subject of hip hop clothing! Maybe if people read the post correctly, they could actually understand the post's intentions. Some people are just rude!

Unknown said...

this is a good discussion. Take a look at Swarovski's latest venture where they have teamed up with Grazia to launch a new student competition to design high end street wear.