Are You Street?

East or West Coast? NYC or LAX? Do you get it? Any self-respecting street wear follower does. With its roots in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s street wear is a phenomenon born out of the urban massive in the concrete jungles of the USA.

It’s all about the brands you wear, the music you hear, and the ‘sneakers’ you sport.

Back in the day street wear was underground. Street was cutting edge, cool, different and more than a little intimidating. It was a statement about who you were, what you liked and your attitude to life. In the late ‘80s street wear went main stream and became a global phenomenon. Rappers, DJs and groups assumed the look.

Fast forward 20 years, jump the pond and you are in the UK’s fashion capitol. Birmingham is ethnically diverse; it is gritty, urban and real. It’s no great surprise that it has unofficially become the home of street wear in the UK.

Dotted around the city are some of the UK’s most iconic street wear retailers. And Osi in The Square is the perfect example. Street wear is his life and his livelihood. He has been in the business about 25 years.

His store is home to a fusion of American and British street bands. ‘It’s a way of life,’ Osi tells us. ‘The guys and I love pulling together new collections. This season it’s snapback caps and cuffed jeans.’

Osi has been at the centre of style for decades. He has seen so many fashions come and go and reports that the craze now is dad’s kitting their kids out in mini versions of their own street gear. “Some of kids are looking more dapper than their dads, bling sees no age!”. 

Osi’s loyal fan base has been growing over the years and so has the appetite for all things street. Along with the clothing Osi now offers accessories that out bling the best of anything our cousins in the USA have. The most popular selling item (after his denim) is belt buckles that would outside any royal crown. ‘They’re the perfect gift’ Osi tells us with a wry smile!

In our office we’ve formed our own view on anything street. Birmingham has the heritage; it is the world’s original urban jungle. Without cities there would be no street wear, without Birmingham there would be no cities!

Whilst NYC and LAX are famed and much loved, we really think BHX is where it’s at.

The Square is proud to be home to this one of a kind retailer. We’ll be featuring more of our independent stores in forthcoming blogs, so stay tuned and feel free to chip in with your thoughts.