NEIGHBORHOOD Revives An Icon of '90s Graffiti Culture
Two stalwart fixtures in streetwear, NEIGHBORHOOD and Subware, are joining forces and bringing us back to the early days of the scene.
The debut collaboration from NEIGHBORHOOD’s 30th-anniversary sees it tap the recently-revived Subware — one of New York’s most influential underground ‘90s streetwear brands.
Although criminally overlooked today, Subware was a pioneering label, one of the first brands to collaborate with artists like KAWS and Futura way before high-end brands jumped on the opportunity to commercialize graffiti and hip-hop culture. This was before streetwear was really called streetwear.
Founded in 1993 by graffiti legend Stash, Subware helped shape the early intersection of art and fashion we are now accustomed to. After a hiatus in the late 2000s, Stash is bringing the brand back.
Meanwhile, NEIGHBORHOOD, started by Shinsuke Takizawa in 1994, remains one of the OGs of Japanese fashion. Part of the legendary Harajuku movement, NEIGHBORHOOD its carved its place in street fashion by blending Takizawa’s love for motorcycle culture with classic American styles, from leather jackets to denim, to logo and writing heavy designs inspired by, you guessed it, American graffiti culture.
To say this is a legendary link-up almost feels like an understatement.
The upcoming collaboration between these two OG brands is a celebration of their shared ‘90s legacy. A blend of nostalgia and contemporary touches, this collection features varsity jackets, graphic tees, sweatshirts, and accessories emblazoned with Subware’s iconic logos. Personally, my favorite piece is easily the incense holder designed to resemble a 90s subway train.
The full 20-item drop, which includes some kids’ pieces, is available from October 26th.A friendly reminder of the (g)olden days graffiti, when it was an entirely underground movement, the return of Subware is a welcomed trip down memory lane.
And with Stash reportedly re-releasing his iconic Nike Air Max 95 next year, I suspect we’re about to see a lot more of the iconic graffiti artist in streetwear. Again.
