The relationship between music and fashion is a long-standing one. From the days of Elvis Presley to the grunge era of the 90s, musicians have influenced fashion trends and vice versa. In recent times, however, a new wave of rappers with a darker aesthetic has taken over the music scene and is changing the fashion and streetwear culture.
Artists like Playboi Carti and Destroy Lonely, who are signed under the Opium label, have popularized a new style of avant-garde clothing that is heavily influenced by high fashion brands like Rick Owens, Balenciaga, and Margiela. These artists have moved away from the baggy, logo-heavy pieces of the past and are now focused on the fit, material, and overall silhouette of their clothing.
Their music themes are very dark, with their videos often resembling horror or thriller screenplays, and their attire matches their aesthetic. The artists themselves adopt a style that is reminiscent of what we would expect from a real-life vampire or an anime protagonist. The combination of their music and fashion style has created a culture that values the crossover of anime-inspired imagery and lettering with darker themes and intricate logos.
The Opium label's artists are also somewhat responsible for the resurgence of vintage tees from heavy bands like Cannibal Corpse, Dark Throne, and others. This new wave of musicians' sound is influenced by these heavy bands, which have further influenced today's everyday fashion.
