This past week the creme de la creme of cool all got together at the DOPEstore in the Johannesburg CBD for the launch of the collaboration between street wear brands DOPE and Straatmate. These two brands have both done well in building a name for themselves in the streets wear game – from DOPE opening the first black owned concept store store in the CBD, to Straatmate designing some of the most authentic head wear we’ve seen lately.
The designers got together to give us a new range of bucket hats, yes, more bucket hats. I’m sure a lot of people are over them by now or they wish they could’ve been left in 2014.
“That’s because they are making them the same, have you ever seen this kind of sh*t before?”, Makhosonke – the designer behind the Straatmate clothing brand – replied confidently.
I hadn’t been out in a minute so trust that I was itching for a good time but not necessarily a turn up. I needed to see street culture connoisseurs and enthusiasts, brush shoulders with influential people and talk about street culture stuff – which the launch supplied in abundance. The store was abuzz throughout the night with people trying on their favourite bucket hats and caps, and purchasing what they were most interested in. The drinks kept flowing and the ambiance of the night was kept up by the tunes from the DJ’s.
It is crucial that the DJ at any event have their set on lock, which is what I liked the most about the DJ’s on duty. The music they delivered was totally amazing and created a great vibe and conversations among people who really know music. While I was busy on the decks sipping on the free drinks, that were served with a smile by the D.O.P.E. store owner Andile Cele, I bumped into the digital sensation OKMALUMKOOLKAT and a few of the other members of the BoyzNBuck$ crew. As usual they chilled and had conversations with people around them about how the collaboration of these two brands is something the streets needed. OKMALUMKOOLKAT also has his own brand of hats that he pushes at the store – this is indicative of who really runs the streets of Joburg with this bucket hat trend. That’s what I liked about the DOPE and Straatmate brand, they are not your average run-of-the-mill bucket hats and certainly not like anything you’ll see on Twitter or in the North.
Camera’s kept clicking and bloggers kept asking questions which made the whole launch worth the stay. The growth within both brands was proven through this launch and nothing short of dope clothing should be expected.
“It only made sense that we collaboration with D.O.P.E., I mean its one of the first streetwear stores in Joburg and we are like the go to guys in the streets when it comes to the spotti game”, stated Makhosonke.
The collaboration is an example of how the youth has adopted the entrepreneurial spirit and guess what? They’re young, gifted and black.
The event as a whole was a huge success, and these collaborative joints are must have – I mean we all like having street cred right?
If you happen to land in Joburg’s CBD, and you are looking for authentic street wear – DOPEstore would be the best bet after experiencing this night.
Words & Photography: @Concious_
