3 women influencing streetwear in a BIG way

3 women influencing streetwear in a BIG way

The boys' club is over!

Streetwear may have once been a male-dominated industry, but the modern scene is far more inclusive...

Streetwear has a bit of a reputation for being a bit of a boys' club, and it's easy to understand why. Traditionally, most of the merch has been created by, and for, blokes, but as with many other male-dominated industries, things are finally beginning to change. 

From designers and photographers, to trainer-obsessed influencers and creative directors, women are increasingly making their mark on the streetwear scene.

Here are three such women you need to get to know (if you don’t already!)…

 

Alexandra Hackett, aka. Mini Swoosh

Even if you don't follow Alexandra Hackett, aka. Mini Swoosh, on Instagram (where she has almost 100k followers), you've definitely seen her work.

The London-based Aussie native has a degree in fashion from Melbourne's RMIT University and runs her own label, ALCH, but as her alias - Mini Swoosh suggests, she's best known for her love of all things Nike. 

Mini Swoosh's devotion to all things Nike and brilliant eye for repurposed design became common knowledge around the time of Nike's Vote It Forward campaign.

Although Sean Wotherspoon ended up winning the campaign (creating hysteria among sneaker heads in the process), Mini Swoosh's design struck a real chord with Nike fans, and it wasn't long before she'd cemented her place as an influential and creative force in the British streetwear scene. 

Alexandra's talent for taking something pretty boring like a duffle bag - or even a plastic carrier bag - and turning it into a completely wearable and fashion-forward garment has rightly gained her both attention and respect.

So much so that she now regularly collaborates with big brands, including Dutch streetwear OG's Patta and, of course, Nike. 

The only downside is her stuff's so hot, we never quite manage to get our hands on any of it!

 

Elizabeth Gibbs, aka. Bephie

For anyone that's into their streetwear, LA and Tokyo based store Union is up there as one of the most reputable garm establishments in the scene, and Beth Gibbs has had a big hand in creating this reputation. Alongside her husband Chris, Beth has helped curate a unique space which showcases emerging designers, cult pieces and if-you-know-you-know brands from around the world. 

But Beth's much more than simply a curator of fashion - she creates it too. 

Beth - who launched her own label, Bephie, in late 2017 - has worked in the fashion and hip hop scenes for more than two decades. She began her career under hip hop pioneer Russell Simmons (working on Baby Farm and Baby Phat) and has gone on to work with brands and artists including Converse, Flying Lotus and MTV. 

Ever the innovator, Bephie launched her eponymous label with a collaboration with LA-based unisex brand No Sesso, describing the collection as: “our version of streetwear with a little more edge.”

 

 

Alexandra Cipriani, founder of Arcminute’

Arcminute may be one of the newest brands in the UK scene, but they have already started to make an impact.

The menswear brand – which on the surface seems to adhere to all the traditional streetwear rules – is actually the brainchild of London-born, Ghana-raised Alexandra Cipriani.

After gaining a degree in Fashion Business from Istituto Marangoni, 22-year-old Alexandra founded Arcminute’ – which she hopes, will in time, become more than simply a clothing line.

Talking about her vision and ambitions, Alexandra explains: “We have a diverse sense of what is fashion and take inspiration not only from geographical backgrounds but also music.

“The key for me is to have fun and align/collaborate with relevant artists across all sectors to create a brand-new community.”

There's loads of influential women working in the streetwear industry at the moment, who's work is your favourite? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter