The history of streetwear in Nîmes is rich and complex, marked by a unique fusion between French urban culture and international influences.
Streetwear, a mix of urban fashion and varied cultural influences, has undergone a fascinating evolution in Nîmes and emerged as an iconic style in Nîmes in the 1980s.
A city rich in history, Nîmes has integrated its unique heritage into streetwear style, creating a distinctive fusion between tradition and modernity.
Taking inspiration from American movements and local subcultures, young people from Nîmes have created a unique fashion identity, integrating graffiti, rave parties and practical elements for outdoor nights. Let’s dive with Steezywave, creator of t-shirts and streetwear accessories in Nîmes, into the history of streetwear in Nîmes during the 1980s and 1990s.
The 1980s: The Beginnings of Streetwear in Nîmes
- Cultural and Social Context: In Nîmes, the 1980s were marked by cultural effervescence, influenced by the punk, funk, hip-hop and graffiti movements. Young people are beginning to adopt clothing styles that reflect their desire for non-conformity and rebellion.
- Early Influences: Inspired by American fashions, young people from Nîmes began to wear brands like Adidas and Nike. Hip-hop and basketball become central activities. The basketball stars of the time, like Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson, as well as the film director Spike Lee made the youth of Nîmes dream. Everyone wanted to wear Nike Air Jordans or Converse, inspired by their idols.
- Graffiti: Graffiti emerged as an important form of artistic expression in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Graffiti artists from Nîmes such as Beyond, Koer, Nimea, Danger joined by artists from Paris used the walls of the city as canvases for their works, contributing to the emergence of a street and streetwear culture in Nîmes.
- Rave Fashion: The first outdoor rave parties appeared at the end of the 1980s, influencing the clothing style of young people. Practical clothing for raves, like track jackets and wide-leg pants, are becoming popular.
The 1990s: The Affirmation of a Unique Streetwear Style in Nîmes
- Musical and Artistic Influences: Well-known French hip-hop groups like Les Démocrates Dor Les Sages Poètes de la Rue come to perform at the ZUP Sud de Nimes. These artists and more generally the French hip-hop and graffiti music scene, influence streetwear fashion in Nîmes. Rave parties are gaining popularity, and young people are mixingstreetwearwith practical pieces to stay warm on nights out.
- Skate: The 1990s saw the rise of skateboarding in Nîmes. The first skateboarders practice on the street furniture of Place d’Assas and the Carré d’Art. A wooden skatepark was installed on the Esplanade, but it quickly encountered problems. The noise generated by skateboarders leads to complaints from the neighborhood.
- The “Suede Classic” of Puma were adopted by many fans of streetwear in Nîmes and in particular skaters in the 1990s, reflecting the craze for retro sneakers and classic silhouettes At that time they were often worn with baggy jeans, graphic t-shirts from Stüssy and FILA or Champion hoodies. helping to define the streetwear aesthetic of the 1990s.
- Fashion of Raves: Blue zipped hooded jackets from Carhartt, (reissued by Carhartt under the name “Carhatt vip Car-Lux”), often worn with hooded alpaca wool sweaters from the Komodo brand, became iconic outfits for winter raves in the great outdoors in Nîmes. Komodo is a British brand of ethical and sustainable clothing founded in 1988 inspired at the time by the house music, street fashion and ethnic atmosphere.
- Expansion of Local Boutiques: The 1990s saw an explosion of smallboutiques in Nîmes specializing in streetwear or urban fashion:
La Garçonne (located rue fresque at the time): This boutique stood out for its selection of avant-garde brands such as XULY.Bët, Bill Tornade and Comme des Garçons. La Garçonne has quickly become an emblematic place for urban fashion lovers in Nîmes. Young Nîmes, attracted by the brand’s unique styles, Afro-influenced patterns and recycling ethic, quickly adopted XULY.Bët‘s pieces. The Bill tornade brand (name inspired by a comic book character, embodying a rebellious and adventurous spirit) was known for its daring and avant-garde creations, combining punk, rock and streetwear with high fashion elements. Comme des Garçons, a Japanese brand that no longer needs to be presented with its radical vision of fashion, has attracted young people from Nîmes with unique pieces with visible seams and asymmetrical cuts. These brands have contributed to the diversity and richness of the local streetwear scene.
Mac Dowan: Known for its Schott down jackets and its bomber jackets, Mac Dowan is becoming a favorite place for young Nîmes looking for streetwear clothing r. Little shout out: The manager at the time (who has since changed) was my marketing professor, and he was by far the coolest professor I ever had.
Other Influential Boutiques: Large brands appeared in the 90s in the city center of Nîmes such as Courir or Celio which also played a crucial role in offering clothing, sneakers and streetwear accessories, thus consolidating the culture of urban fashion in Nîmes.
- The Denim de Nîmes: The serge de Nîmes, or “denim”, gained popularity during this period. Many second-hand stores present at this time in the city sell second-hand jeans, and young Nîmes naturally integrate this emblematic fabric into their streetwear outfit. Denim jeans are becoming a streetwear staple, symbolizing both resistance and urban style. Young people from Nîmes adopt this material for its comfort and durability, often torn or well worn. The denim jacket was also a staple of streetwear in Nîmes in the 90s. Worn by brands like Levi’s, LEE or Wrangler denim jackets were often personalized with patches, crests and embroidery to reflect the individuality and style of the wearer.
- French brands began to emerge, such as “Lacoste“, “K-Way” and “Le Coq Sportif“, who have integrated elements of streetwear into their collections. These brands helped to popularize the streetwear style, making it classier and offering it in different product ranges.
Lacoste and its influence in Nîmes in the 90s: In the 90s, Lacoste played an important role in the evolution of streetwear, especially in Europe. In the early ’90s, the brand’s polo shirts, sweatshirts and other clothing were popular among young urbanites in Nîmes looking for a casual but chic style. For young people from Nîmes in the 90s, wearing Lacoste clothing represented not only a fashion trend but also a form of local identification and pride. The brand’s logo, a green crocodile, recalled the historic emblem of their city, creating a unique cultural connection.
the Kangol, also very French, was an emblematic streetwear accessory in Nîmes in the 90s. Originally known for its hats, in particular the bob or the beret cap in Kangol wool, the brand has gained popularity in the streetwear world thanks to its association with hip-hop artists, musicians and icons of the pop culture. The Kangol, recognizable by its distinct shape and kangaroo logo, has become a symbol of urban and casual style. Worn in different ways, whether upside down, sideways or straight forward, the Kangol has become a must-have accessory to complete 90s streetwear outfits.
Conclusion
The 1980s and 1990s were very creative and adventurous decades conducive to the evolution of streetwear in Nîmes. By integrating global influences while drawing on local subcultures like graffiti, hip-hop, skateboarding, basketball and raves, young people from Nîmes have created a distinctive and enduring style. The boutiques specializing in streetwear in Nîmes played a crucial role in this evolution, by offering clothing and brands that left their mark on an entire generation. Explore our t-shirt collection to discover unique pieces that celebrate this rich streetwear culture and join the Nîmes streetwear community.
