Today, hip-hop and fashion go together like Kanye and Versace, but urban hip-hop style — think Adidas, tanks and oversized pants — didn’t always have a home in the mainstream. In Fresh Dressed, a CNN Films production, director Sacha Jenkins chronicles the evolution of “fresh” style and rappers’ transition from Armani suits to b-boy chic on stage.
“Hip-hop fashion was derived through the music,” explains Carl Banks in an exclusive clip from the documentary. “It was a ‘we’re not gonna follow the rules’ mentality, both in music and in fashion.” The “rewrite the rules” vibe was definitely one that resonated with young audiences, launching the hip-hop subculture from South Bronx to the forefront of popular fashions.
The energetic film, which features in-depth interviews with familiar faces of industry insiders like Pharrell Williams and Andre Leon Talley, will premiere at Sundance on Jan. 24. Be prepared to feel a wave of nostalgia for your boombox and Puma tracksuit.
