Streetwear is hitting the big screen as new streaming platform HBO Max will be launching a new series called The Hype. The Hype is a competition series exploring the ever-growing world of streetwear fashion.
For years, streetwear has been considered an outcast in the world of fashion, not even being considered part of fashion until merging with high fashion in the recent years. Documentaries such as Fresh Dress and The Remix: Hip Hop X Fashion detail the history of streetwear and designers who have impacted hip hop, the Black community, and thus fashion itself with their iconic designs.
The Hype will be hosted by Complex journalist Speedy Morman and complete with notable judge panelists including Beyoncé’s costume designer Marni Senofonte, co-founder of Union Los Angles and owner of Bephie’s Beauty Supply Beth Gibbs.
Beth Gibbs also known as Bephie and Beth Birkett is the founder of the growing brand known as Bephies Beauty Supply which is a marketplace dedicated to showcasing Black women-led brands and creatives. notably worked on the 2019 film Native Son starring Ashton Sanders and Sanaa Lathan. The fashion designer also has worked on television shows such as MTV’s Punk’d, Esquire Knife Fight, and Showtime’s How to Love A Black Woman.
Marni Senofonte has been a stylist to a few of your faves such as Kendall Jenner and Lauryn Hill. The costume designer is also the mastermind behind Beyoncé’s iconic HBCU-inspired Coachella 2018 looks, leading her to an Emmy nomination for outstanding costume design for Beyoncé’s Netflix documentary known as Homecoming.
Sarah Aubrey, Head of Original Content for HBO Max, shares, “We see the ubiquitous influence of streetwear culture all around us – from high fashion and popular culture, to a form of individual self-expression and identity. We are excited to embark on this journey to find the next great streetwear designer with our partners at Scout, Jay Brown and Ty Ty Smith.”
The Hype will explore the business side of the streetwear industry as well as highlight the growth and authenticity of the streetwear design with 10 professional contestants. The HBO max series will contain eight episodes produced by both Offset and Scout Productions. Currently, a release date has not been announced.
Are you excited about the show?