New York City, specifically the Bronx, is touted as the birthplace of hip hop. When most people hear hip hop, they only think of music, but it’s so much more than that; it’s a culture with a rich history and timeline.

Its beginning is marked by Cindy and Clive Campbell’s (aka DJ Kool Herc) legendary back-to-school party held in the recreation room of  their apartment building in the Bronx on August 11, 1973. Since that time, hip hop has spread around the globe, lending its influence to innumerable spaces. Style is one of the most pervasive and visible manifestations of the culture, and twenty-first century fashion, from luxury labels to everyday dress, owes a debt to hip hop.

With that, it makes sense that, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the birth of hip hop, the renowned educational institution, The Fashion Institute of Technology, would exhibit the trends that shaped the fashion industry. The exhibit is a sartorial journey through Afrocentrism, luxury, Afrofuturism, the cross-overs, and everything in between. Featuring pieces worn by such superstars as Lil’ Kim, designers like Virgil Abloh, and collaborations with the likes of Rihanna and her dainty yet structured pieces for Puma.

The exhibit would’ve felt incomplete if they didn’t include accessories! Big hoops and even bigger chains have been a mainstay of hip hop culture and have found their way into the mainstream, with layering chains and rocking bamboo earrings making a comeback— or did they ever leave? The long, manicured nails of the 80s are also experiencing a return, especially with nail systems and solutions leaning more towards do-it-yourself.

Growing up in Brooklyn and witnessing (and being a part of) some of these fashion trends, this exhibit was a stroll down memory lane for me. I reminisced about owning the denim Guess bags that were so popular in the 90s, how owning an 8-Ball jacket was a status symbol, and now, in the present day, checking out Cardi B’s collaboration with Reebok and wanting one of her uniquely designed jogging suits.

While the exhibit wasn’t as immersive as it had the potential to be (a little background music to set the mood would have been amazing!), I enjoyed it and highly recommend checking it out. The exhibit runs until April 23, 2023.

The Museum at FIT is located at 227 W 27th St, New York, NY.