The Streetwear Flea, an event born started up by Ohio natives James Drakeford and Dionte Johnson in 2015, made its mark on New York City over the weekend of March 23-24 with a dynamic two-day showcase. First debuted in Columbus, Ohio, the event has since traveled to multiple cities and has evolved into a celebration of urban culture, attracting enthusiasts from all walks of life.
In its New York edition, the event took place at 100 Sutton Street in Brooklyn, immersing attendees in a vibrant atmosphere filled with music spun by local DJs and thought-provoking panels hosted by the Public Housing Skate Team and designer JJ Grant to name a few. One of the defining features of the Streetwear Flea is its emphasis on independent brands deeply entrenched in the community and the ethos of streetwear culture.
While other events such as ComplexCon, Hypefest, and Sole DXB in Dubai often blend independent and mainstream brands, the Streetwear Flea maintains its indie vibe, evoking nostalgia for the early 2000s streetwear and sneaker scene.
In an email exchange founder James Drakeford shared his thoughts on working with Independent brands and wrote, “We love featuring brands on their ascension to higher places. Still, there’s a range of brands and creatives we have at our events. Not all are “up & coming” – some are just getting started while others have been making clothes for several years and have received a lot of notoriety. Over the years we have had established brands and names like Fat Tiger Workshop out of Chicago ,Joe Fresh Goods, Vic Lloyd, Rello, Dez, Made by NGO, Jae Tips, Bandulu, Darryl Brown + Midwest Kids partnerships, and and more. We love indie brands because they are often very true to the essence of Streetwear – they’re in their community, they’re about art, their team is made up of friends, they’re telling stories that resonate with them closely, they’re operating on love and passion and not based on the board room or investors expectations.”
Further he adds, “Most importantly, authenticity reigns supreme, alongside each brand’s commitment to engaging with the streets and connecting intimately with people. It’s also about celebrating the unique essence of each city we visit – our aim is to showcase the finest Streetwear brands from every city and region. While our previous events have been held in Columbus, OH and Austin, TX, the majority of our vendors and partners may not be household names, but their creations and endeavors can undoubtedly rival the best. In the future if we were to have larger, non indie, corporate entities involved, I would want them to do so on behalf/in collaboration with a local artist or brand. That’s what sounds like it makes sense at the moment at least – we shall see!”
As a platform that amplifies the voices of women in streetwear and sneaker culture, we enjoyed that the Streetwear Flea New York edition showcased a diverse array of brands and attendees. In true New York fashion, participants arrived adorned in their fly attire, showcasing the eclectic fusion of styles that define the city’s streetwear culture.
The Streetwear Flea serves as a testament to the enduring appeal of streetwear and its ability to bring together individuals from diverse backgrounds under one roof. Take a look below at our social media recap on Instagram.
