Last year, we asked members of The Hundreds’ Staff what their favorite streetwear moments of 2016 was. It was a big year for streetwear then, and hype culture and reseller culture was accelerating to culminate in what felt like 2017’s all-time-high. This year, The Hundreds co-founder and CCO Bobby Hundreds shared his thoughts on Instagram in the wake of ComplexCon’s conference of culture… and endless lines. It stirred up much dialogue (Rembert Browne’s excellent article for SSENSE shared many of the same feelings), and Bobby followed up with a widely shared essay “The Truth About Streetwear,” marking the comeback of his blog.
With the current iteration of streetwear’s ubiquitousness and exponentially growing presence in pop culture, Bobby wondered, “As a brand owner, I am faced with, ‘We have the youth’s attention, so where are we taking them?'” He asked, reflecting on the surge of commerce and the seeming lack of culture and substance, “Are we still having F U N?” We think we definitely still are. If you do it for “the Love and the Lore,” like Bobby said, you’ll always stand apart from the rest of the pack, no matter how much trends might shift in or out of your favor.
Check out what members of our Design, Art, and Marketing departments had to say about their favorite moments in our culture in 2017:
Erica Hernandez, Head Apparel Designer
It’s been a crazy year with so many great moments to choose from. The recent WTAPS 01 book release, Bobby’s Built to Fail streetwear documentary, Nike’s Breaking2, Kendrick’s DAMN. album, Dodgers in the World Series, the fucking Women’s March!!! Yeah, way too many favorite moments but if I narrow it down to my favorite streetwear moment I’d have to say the Nike Cortez x Mister Cartoon collab.
An LA classic wardrobe staple done by legendary LA artist Mister Cartoon which featured his finely embroidered artwork, custom gold trims, and tricolor midsoles, offered in Black, White, and a special denim diamond quilted color way inspired by the interiors of lowriders. Real LA shit that naturally goes together. Can you imagine what a The Hundreds x Mister Cartoon collab would be like?
David Rivera, Special Projects/Headwear & Accessories Designer
Favorite drop this year was Frank Ocean’s Boy’s Don’t Cry Magazine,
– loved the lay out,
– the creative direction behind each of the shoots for the mag,
– typeface used on all of the articles,
– and the packaging in the foil wrap—it really stood out.
My second favorite piece this year was the Blondie Beach X Soho House Champion hoodie
Only 10 were made, and the fact that Soho House let this product get made since they don’t make clothing was a nice touch. It also helped a lot that it was on a Reverse Weave Champion pullover.
Chris Cammarano, Apparel Designer
John Elliott X Nike Vandals.
The Nike Vandal shoe which is a retro 84 basketball shoe that he reworked and he did a great job on, but I enjoy this collaboration because he actually sent in designs to nike when he was a kid and was rejected now 26 years later he achieved his goal of designing a shoe for nike. Just shows to keep knocking until someone lets you in the door.
Eddie Viramontes, Graphic Designer
Another year, another dope jacket I missed out on. It’s always the best ones that get away. This year I was really hyped on the “Reef Keeper” collection by 36 Chambers (produced by the captain RZA himself) that featured a super limited T-shirt and denim jacket with art from Lauren YS.