Nu-lad Generation

Spike Island (2012) Set in my hometown of Widnes, Cheshire.

The Hipster generation is slowly coming to an end after being one of the pinnacle fashion trends in not only daily street wear but also high end fashion too. It is being replaced by a new era named "Nu-lad" so forget the modern day hippy look and search for what has been perceived as very British "Working class" brands for the past thirty years, invest in some vintage tracksuits from the likes of Fila, Kappa, Lonsdale or even Champion. Maybe even sporting a pair of trainers from your classic brands like Nike, Adidas or Reebok even, although nowadays boys don't stick to regular trainers as you'll probably find them with a sportswear/designer collaborative pair of trainers on their feet. Think Rick Owens or Raf Simons for Adidas or Sandro for Reebok? Or someone who's collaboration with Adidas has remained at the height of modern day dressing, none other than Y-3 by Yohji Yamamoto, one of the most influential designers in history. This ideal way of dressing, to me resembles the better part of the 1990's although if you're like me and was born in 1995? Ask older siblings or relatives, someone who dressed in the 90's firsthand on what they used to wear. It's also very men dressing like men, although forget three-piece suits today's modern world means you can look smart simply wearing a tracksuit. Like I touched on before, high-end designers have been working this look into their collections for the past few seasons. Calvin Klein done a excellent job a couple seasons back with their nostalgic fragrance slogans scrawled across sweatshirts, "Obsession"," Eternity" and "Euphoria". However it is really taking off now for Spring/Summer 2015 (current season) and brands that just have this look in their DNA are brands like Christopher Shannon and Nasir Mazhar, two of the leading designers at London Collections: Men and also brands like across seas like Supreme NYC or Hood By Air for example. What I guess will be driving "Nu-lad" forward is youth culture, which is almost the complete opposite of what lead the way for that Hipster vibe. Long hair, often tied back in a ponytail or man-bun and sporting a beard to look older and more distinguished will also be reducing in numbers as this lad has shaved or short hair and likes to wear a cap, preferably a Nasir Mazhar "Bully" cap. Well that is what I would invest in anyway. A person who I always have in mind when thinking about sports-luxe is Senior Editor at Complex UK and Showstudio Live Panel Discussion Menswear host, Daryoush Haj-Najafi. He is often seen wearing Nasir sweatshirts or Gosha Rubchinskiy t-shirts and always looks incredible (and comfortable) in what he's wearing. Below are my favourite Spring/Summer Menswear Collections that have focused on creating leisurewear suitable for that 1990's "Nu-lad" revival.

Christopher Shannon

Nasir Mazhar (pictured with "Bully" caps)

Gosha Rubchinskiy

Astrid Anderson

Adidas Y-3 by Yohji Yamamoto

Well that is it for this week's blog upload. I hope I gave you all a good enough insight into what the "Nu-Lad" generation is and if I explained clearly what there is out there to buy and designers to look at for inspiration. Join me next Friday, who knows what we'll discuss then? Bur before I say goodbye, I would just like to thank everyone who has made me nearly reach 5000 page-views you know you are so thank you. I appreciate everyone who takes time out of their day to read, enjoy and take something from what I have to say about what's going on in fashion or whatever. So on that note, goodbye and see you next week. 

The Wolf of High Street

xxx