We have a REAL treat for readers today - Dina Selkoe, the chief women's buyer at Karmaloop, generously donated her time and expertise to answer a few of our most burning questions about STREETWEAR, arguably one of the leading forces in fashion and culture today. Be prepared to be enlightened. —TBB
The Budget Babe: Can you explain what "streetwear" is for readers who might not be familiar with the term?
Dina Selkoe: Streetwear is a fashion and culture genre that captures a lifestyle, attitude and mentality – city, technology, music, design and art oriented and reflective of evolving cultural cross-pollenization made possible by the internet. Streetwear is not only 'Hip-Hop', 'Urban', 'Punk' or 'Skate' clothing, although all of these represent influential elements in Streetwear culture and style. Streetwear is not mass appeal fashion - it’s far more niche and advanced with greater elements of high-fashion and frequently represents the vanguard of where fashion and culture are going.
TBB: How can someone who might not normally rock streetwear incorporate some elements of streetwear into their wardrobe (without looking like a poser!)?
DS: The easiest way – both in terms of helping to pull together a look and ease of wear for basically anyone is wearing a cool hoody either over a simple t-shirt (hard to mess up) or over a more streetwear-y t-shirt (make sure the t-shirt and hoody look good together). Next would be a pair of kicks, which one should try to coordinate with the hoody or t-shirt. Also right now a pair of colored jeans- we have great ones from Tripp NYC which are super affordable!
TBB: Who is the hottest streetwear designer today?
DS: I love Leah McSweeney’s Married to the Mob. MOB stuff looks great - with awesome graphics and clever plays on words and popular culture, and fits super well. MOB has been involved in really cool collaboration projects with everyone from graffiti artists to high-fashion houses. I like that Leah is running a successful company at such a young age – she is a pioneer in women’s streetwear and her brand is definitely going places.
Also love Triumvir, which is a men’s brand, but getting into women’s product as well. Triumvir is Richard Vaughn and his sister Julia (who will be heading up the women’s project). They have super sharp graphics and a sort of flippant, thumb-in-your eye sensibility, which is a little dark and definitely focused on the unique and individual.
TBB: Who are some high-end designers we should know that are bringing streetwear to the runways?
DS: Jeremy Scott, Comme des Garçons, Heatherette, Yohji Yamamoto, some Gucci Men’s Footwear
TBB: What are the must-have hot items for the streetwear elite today?
DS: Attitude and confidence- all you ever really need is something that works for you and that you feel good wearing.
TBB: How often to trends change?
DS: Streetwear as a style has been present and evolving for some time, but trends within streetwear do change quickly and often with the allover print craze probably being the most obvious recent one. However, the popularity of classic pieces – whether skinny jeans, high tops or hoodies - has been quite constant for years. Right now Streetwear is moving in a cleaner, more refined direction, almost more mature direction.
TBB: How do you stay on top of the latest trends without spending a fortune?
DS: Well, the good news is that most streetwear isn’t extravagant, so people can really update and freshen up their wardrobe with just a few new pieces in new colors or patterns. City-dwellers should look out for in-store events around a particular brand/designer offering promotions on merchandise.
Dina Selkoe was born in Russia and moved to Brookline, Massachusetts when she was 4 years old. At 33 years old this beauty has a background in Law. After completing a degree in Law at Harvard and Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Dina is now Creative Director and Women's Buyer at Karmaloop.
Shop all the looks you see above at Karmaloop.com >>
The Budget Babe: Can you explain what "streetwear" is for readers who might not be familiar with the term?
Dina Selkoe: Streetwear is a fashion and culture genre that captures a lifestyle, attitude and mentality – city, technology, music, design and art oriented and reflective of evolving cultural cross-pollenization made possible by the internet. Streetwear is not only 'Hip-Hop', 'Urban', 'Punk' or 'Skate' clothing, although all of these represent influential elements in Streetwear culture and style. Streetwear is not mass appeal fashion - it’s far more niche and advanced with greater elements of high-fashion and frequently represents the vanguard of where fashion and culture are going.
TBB: How can someone who might not normally rock streetwear incorporate some elements of streetwear into their wardrobe (without looking like a poser!)?DS: The easiest way – both in terms of helping to pull together a look and ease of wear for basically anyone is wearing a cool hoody either over a simple t-shirt (hard to mess up) or over a more streetwear-y t-shirt (make sure the t-shirt and hoody look good together). Next would be a pair of kicks, which one should try to coordinate with the hoody or t-shirt. Also right now a pair of colored jeans- we have great ones from Tripp NYC which are super affordable!
TBB: Who is the hottest streetwear designer today?
DS: I love Leah McSweeney’s Married to the Mob. MOB stuff looks great - with awesome graphics and clever plays on words and popular culture, and fits super well. MOB has been involved in really cool collaboration projects with everyone from graffiti artists to high-fashion houses. I like that Leah is running a successful company at such a young age – she is a pioneer in women’s streetwear and her brand is definitely going places.
Also love Triumvir, which is a men’s brand, but getting into women’s product as well. Triumvir is Richard Vaughn and his sister Julia (who will be heading up the women’s project). They have super sharp graphics and a sort of flippant, thumb-in-your eye sensibility, which is a little dark and definitely focused on the unique and individual.
TBB: Who are some high-end designers we should know that are bringing streetwear to the runways?
DS: Jeremy Scott, Comme des Garçons, Heatherette, Yohji Yamamoto, some Gucci Men’s Footwear
TBB: What are the must-have hot items for the streetwear elite today?
DS: Attitude and confidence- all you ever really need is something that works for you and that you feel good wearing.
TBB: How often to trends change?DS: Streetwear as a style has been present and evolving for some time, but trends within streetwear do change quickly and often with the allover print craze probably being the most obvious recent one. However, the popularity of classic pieces – whether skinny jeans, high tops or hoodies - has been quite constant for years. Right now Streetwear is moving in a cleaner, more refined direction, almost more mature direction.
TBB: How do you stay on top of the latest trends without spending a fortune?DS: Well, the good news is that most streetwear isn’t extravagant, so people can really update and freshen up their wardrobe with just a few new pieces in new colors or patterns. City-dwellers should look out for in-store events around a particular brand/designer offering promotions on merchandise.
Dina Selkoe was born in Russia and moved to Brookline, Massachusetts when she was 4 years old. At 33 years old this beauty has a background in Law. After completing a degree in Law at Harvard and Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Dina is now Creative Director and Women's Buyer at Karmaloop.
Shop all the looks you see above at Karmaloop.com >>