Street style is a concept that has been around for ages, evolving from the casual observations of Parisian flâneurs in the late 19th century to Bill Cunningham’s iconic captures of New Yorkers in the 1980s. Vogue, too, has long documented the sartorial choices of the elite, capturing their chic ensembles at events like Ascot and Biarritz. However, the term ‘Street Style’ as we know it today truly emerged in the 21st century. It wasn’t just about fashion tribes or local styles, but about the deliberate showcase of sartorial flair, particularly during fashion weeks in cities like New York and Paris.
The early 2000s saw the rise of street style photographers like Scott Schuman and Phil Oh, whose presence outside fashion show venues was a novelty. Street style was still relatively organic, a genuine reflection of personal style. Yvan Rodic, founder of Face Hunter, remembers a time when “People were almost surprised to be photographed. It was something so much more low key.”
But the arrival of Instagram in 2010 changed everything. Suddenly, street style became a carefully curated spectacle. Suzy Menkes, a prominent fashion critic, wrote in a 2013 article for The New York Times, “The fuss around the shows now seems as important as what goes on inside the carefully guarded tents… Subjects are ready and willing to be objects, not so much hunted down by the paparazzi as gagging for their attention.”
The rise of fashion bloggers like Leandra Medine, Susie Lau, and Camille Charrière further amplified the trend. They understood the power of visual impact, favoring bold colors and patterns that would translate well on camera. Then came the model-influencers, the Gigis, Kendalls, and Bellas, who seamlessly blended their personal brands with fashion week appearances, often documenting their own street style looks using their smartphones.
The fashion industry, driven by a need for content and engagement, embraced this evolution. Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram Stories opened up new avenues for showcasing street style, further amplifying the trend. While some purists may lament the loss of spontaneity, there’s no denying the power of street style to capture the zeitgeist and influence the fashion landscape.
Garçon Jon, a street style photographer, aptly summed up the enduring appeal of street style in a 2020 interview with Vogue, stating, “Street style has just become a new form that revolves around the fashion week circuit. There was a period in which it felt genuinely exciting, but it’s still popular, and I don’t think that’s going away.”
So, as we look ahead to the spring/summer 2025 collections at London Fashion Week, we can expect to see more captivating street style moments, each one a testament to the ever-evolving relationship between fashion, social media, and the desire to express oneself through clothing.
