Upon asking this question I myself am even smiling….as when I was younger I remember the waiting for the latest pair of Kickers or that must have outfit. I never always got them and for many nowadays that’s how it is too. It is always important to check the History of things because it is the only way for you to know the meaning of it and the future.
The company was founded on January 25, 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports by Bill Bowerman and Philip Knight, and officially became Nike, Inc. in 1978. The company takes its name from Nike, the Greek goddess of victory (Greek Νίκη pronounced [níːkɛː]), (so some of us who were wearing Nicks were actually still wearing the brand name! lol!). It is also based on Egyptian usage of "strength" and "victory".
However, why does it have to be NIKE? STONE ISLAND? VERSACE? ARMANI? or any other name brand attire?
Is it because young people love the quality and the craftsmanship, sheer time and effort that has gone into the creating, or can they appreciate the intricacy and the feel it has upon their skin or should we keep it real…..is it that so many of their ‘role models’ i.e. Rappers, singers, football players are wearing them. This is Nike's biggest advertising strategy because they know society is influenced by these people, but what have they really done to be titled "role models". Is it because if you don’t have them in certain areas you’re considered “a chief”, “a wasteman”, “late” basically words used to say you’re rubbish due to the fact you don’t look as other young people feel you need to look.
Who actually made these rules? And who says you have to wear something to have a particular status? I won’t play dumb as I too fell into this whole ‘looking the part” thing when I was younger and the sad thing is that so many young people buy into this. Last thing I heard when God created us we were all naked. Clothes are now a necessity to keep us warm, and believe it or not contrary to fashion to give us some dignity and privacy.
But really, why does it have to be NIKE? Or any other name brand. Is society so shallow now that young people with all their wit, charisma and destiny are actually measured by what they wear...Yes its been like this since I was a teen, however with all the gang wars, knife crime over petty things and lack of respect of individuals, where they come from and what their status is. Shouldn’t we be looking into this deeper and showing each other that we are far too special to be measured by fabric that wastes away and that in time fashion expires, whereby we will always remain special!
Im not too sure why we fall into the trap of the trends of Fashion. We are bombarded by it everywhere on the TV, internet and in the shopping malls. How do we not allow it to frame who we are?.
ReplyDeleteDo we not really know our own identity that we need designers such as Nike, Gucci etc to create this for us. Im far from saying that we shouldnt wear these outfits as they are great designers that have influenced and can with the right education influence and make a postive impact on the young people. Do they offer work experience and workshops to show these young people how business actually works.
I think if this was given to me, and so many others i dont think that Fashion would have such a negative stigma to it.
I believe that quality is important that we should all strive to have a option in what we choice to wear as we need to represent ourselves in a postively mature light.
Lets really look into this more and see how we can get the industry to really influence the youth in a much better way.
Thanks for this article.
Youths of today are challenged by society!
ReplyDeleteThose who conform to the 'conformed' group are those who are scared, and are not strong minded enough to be be an individual.
If its not designer, then you are looked at in a derogative mannor.
Youths are presented with a difficult dilemma at this current time. The media is slowly emphasising individuality, but yet the behaviour society sets contadicts this totally.
If 'someone' was to go out and buy the latest Nike trainers, their peers would commend them -for example - "your sick" or "rah, their too much" and so on. But yet, if they were to buy a different design, one not of that kind, peers would degrade them of their worth through in-direct/direct comments, which causes more pressure on conformity.
Youths look more at quantity, if its recognisable and 'stylish'- as the media promotes, then its a pick! Whether or not the other choice was of better quality.
On the other hand, as people mature they are more comfortable with investing in their own self, with regards to style and fashion. Labels are enabling those who may not be wealthy enough to buy their clothing originally, to buy their products - as cheaper replicers are processed in order to supply those with this difficulty.
So consequently it leads me to think that this is influenced by gang culture and imitation within this! Naturally people will follow those who they look up to ecspecially if they are positivly reinforced for their actions, by implementing celebrities and inter-national superstars in commercials advertising label attraction, they will cause rifts in society e.g status and wealth.
So many labels today compete to be the best design, if its not as established and renowned, then the on-lookers are going to invest in what is more known (subconsciencly, what is safer to go with).
Lets face it, the media is a major factor on society today and maybe something needs to be done to change this subject that is causing upset in the lives of those less fortunate.
Cameron Birch, M.I.G.H.T.Y Youth Panel
I have to agree with Cameron....
ReplyDeleteIt truely is society vs the individual, and a fake society at that!, individuals constantly strive and put them selves through so much just to "fit in" and obtain and unobtainable image.
It is highly sad that to some degree all of us feel the need to look a certain way or act a certain way 2 gain some sort of "status"..in one context its ok for example you'd carry youself in a completely different manner if you were in a job interview compared to if you was just with some friends....
However changing who you are and simply trying to assimilate something you are not is unfortunatly the gloomy status of society today... The most upsetting thing is that people and media and these so called " role models" have attatched so much meaning to these lifeless useless ( aint puttin food on your table) material goods...at the end of the day if you was starving, knowing that you still have your 5 pairs of the latest brand name clothes/trainers aint going to put a smile on your face.
I feel that all this just makes it harder for any young individual growing up trying to discover who they are because they are continuosly being bombarded with other social institutions such as the media, telling them what to wear, how to look, how to act and even what to eat??.....i feel these influencs are breeding useless generations that aspire to get a whole load of unimportant posessions that alot of people will never be able to get.
The sorry aspect of all this is that society tells you what you should have and what you should want but fails to tell you what to do when you cant obtain these things or even how to get them....they just throw them in your face and we accept all this at face value with out question as if we are just passive inactive human beings....
Its like a form of slavery..
Deep stuff... very deep... and to be completely honest i agree with many of the points made...
ReplyDeleteHowever, when it come to me... i simply find Nike and other leading brands.. have so much more to offer in terms of both quality and looks! Why get something you like, when you have the amenities to can get something you love!?!
Nike as a company do everything! from running stuff, to clothes to equipment... thats why its become so popular! because they have built a reputable name for themselves!....im sorry but as humans... no matter who u are... what you stand for... you always have that element/ desire within yourself to want to look good, presentable and feel comfortable in the process! It’s part of human nature.
Seen as you wanna talk biblical... WANTING these sort of things...it’s part of the flesh!! To desire early/ carnal things is basically setting your mind on the thing of THIS world.
As a result of the brand being well known, and popular... people would rather pay for a product that they know and trust... if your starving hungry!! and you had a choice... of your favourite meal... and something you've never had before... which would you choose?!? EXACTLY... YOUR FAVOURITE MEAL! because we like stability and control.
Although i say all this, over the years... negative connotation have been attached to such designer names as...: Babyphat,G-unit, Nike etc. which would clearly has caused this topic of discussion... but if im being truthful, I believe behind the clothes, the names and the publicity front... there’s a much bigger war raging! If we took the time to throw away the image of companies ...and examine the bigger picture....let put it that way... I highly doubt ....its got anything to do with clothes!
MISS KIMBERLEY ATKINSON...
(Youth Events Coordinator/ Youth Advisor, SoundStage CREW O2 Arena)
In my opinion, designer makes are designer for a reason and that is because they cater to pretty much every individual style and fashion sence. This means people can express themselfs and show a little bit of who they are through there clothing.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that in many cases the youth are pressured into buying particular design makes.
I think back to when I was a teen and if I saw a friend in a brand new pair of Nikes that were red and black for example, I wouldnt necessarily want what shes got. I would go and get a pair in neon colors instead and maybe in a diffrent design.
So yes i was pressured to get a pair.
But not because i wanted to follow the crowd but because i wanted to show myself through my clothing like she was.
'Swagger' youth would call it today.
It most definatly can put u out of pocket!
But if your in a possision were you can buy them then why not?
When i see non brand clothing that can cater to my style i buy it.. which is most of the time.
But the brands let you customise your own clothes these days too as well as being more comfortable to wear and better quality.
But although you state this, we are lookin at clothes in general, which is a matter that subjects all, in the sense that it has become a necessity to all of us as without we are exposed of our identity!
ReplyDeleteA passionate subject, because without this we are nothing, so yes i agree with - we are presented with our own free will, the matter is - we are, so why do well still conform to what is the the mainstream trend.
It was stated that you could have something you love because of the quality and the look, but know one is aware of the procedures behind closed doors, the price of this product is purely based on the publicity it has gained over the decades, and the attachments of which it has claimed e.g celebs, that claim a right to the product because they advertised it, and they are role models to society so therefore they set the popularity of this and others follow unknowingly, as our behaviour has almost become natural as its what is normal to us, if you was to sit bak and analyse the situation, you would see that the world is based on a continuous cycle that up holds and creates wars of status, wealth and individuality!
But stating that 'no matter what you stand for, there is a natural desire to present your self well' is an arrogant comemnt in itself.
For a start some people do not have the amenities and self pride to do so, as is evident in the world today, and couldnt care less about there apperance im sure you would agree. Some chose no to because that is their own choice - they are happiest fulfilling themselves, and to be quite frank this might just be a view that is occupied by your own mind and yes others, but you can not generalise that statement as a whole!
As humans we do like stability and control, as british citizens we represent that, but renowned countries such as the UK and America thrive of this as a big industry so therefore they have to send messages subliminally so that customers are intrigued in their product, maybe thats what you need to be more aware of and realse that the whole world is run of routine and regime but if we dig deep into this subject, human being love to be accepted and will do anything subconsciencly to be accepted, although we all claim we are not a part of this fact we have fallen into it as a norm to life!
In some sense i agree wiv Kimberly...
ReplyDeleteThe desire to "want" is naturelly inside us not all to the same degree but it definatly is in us..
How ever not everyone has this clear cut definition of how far to go when it comes to wanting and desireing these things....this may seem like a silly statement but when you look at some of the problems facing young individuals today based on image...it can be quite scary, look at how many young girls would put there life in danger to look a certain way by struggleing to acheive a size 0!!... also the amount of young males who would be willing to Rob and steal to obtain certain material goods..and these actions ruin lives...a large percentage of crime is based on self gain...now if the messege that you have a look and act a certain way, and have certain things wasn't throwm in your face all the time, then maybe people wouldnt go to such extremities to gain this whole persona they're told to have...
Also know ones saying even if you have the means to adorn yourself with nice things dress like a tramp, were just pointing out the fact that those that dont have the means need not put such importance and pressure on themselves to have these things or be able to portray a certain image...
And again i agree with Kimberly in the sense that as people we like stability and to stick to the things we know.. but thats just the thing...society is not static...infact it is completly the opposite..society is dynamic and is forever changing...theres forever upgrades of brands and designs for us to further waste our money on every couple of months....
And if you want to look at it from another prospective look at this recession were going through....hundreds of people have lost their jobs but have not lost the desire to live in the ways they were use to, and that could have been to have the latest phone every other month or the latest name brand clothes/ trainers or whatever, and them find it so hard to conform to a lifestyle they dislike because of the constant transformation of society..
Thirdly it is Completly true that the world has much bigger problems than "image" but because so many people are wrapped up in it know one has the time to even think about much bigger problems like 3rd world hunger for starters.....and what makes us think that if we cant even control this ongoing unimportant want to obtain a "perfect" image ..that we'd be able to start making progress on much bigger problems in the world?
Its true that charity starts in the home/heart...so i belive we have to tackle these little problems before we can move on to other things because if we by pass them now they'll only get bigger..
Touria x
OOOOH...VERY NICE COMEBACK... I HAVE TO GOO DEEP NOW! SORRY READERS
ReplyDeleteto start off with the comment...'it has become a necessity to all of us as without we are exposed of our identity!' ...are you implying... clothes define the man, or hide the man!?!
either one can be strongly argued against...
which i wont go into right now...
within this country we are bound by law that states we are to wear clothes in public, whether we like it or not... so the point ...'without this we are nothing,' is VOID. We have personalities! A brain, body, We are not lumps of jelly! So without clothes we are very much the same! How do u believe ADAM and EVE LIVED, whilst naked!?!
Back to my point... we purchase clothes because it’s a necessity not an option....what clothes we wear is purely based on our likes and dislikes... even with little or no money... one would pick something they liked, felt comfortable in and that which has clearly appealed to their senses or needs at the time.
in order for somthing to catch your eye it usually is either; rather nice or horrible! from those stimulus' you make a decision as to your next move!... you dont get peer pressure into wearin summin you think is butterz! if you do!... THATS BULLYING! as far as im concerned.
you made a point about the background of trainers... the point i was making is a process called 'experiential learning'.... meaning you learn through experience, if something is good... you will remember that and bring that memory forward into your future... if negative... you will do the same but alter future actions to avoid similar effects. what im saying is... if people had a long lasting shoe... and it was produced by Nike... they will be happy with the company... and remember that for future reference. It’s human biology you cant argue with that.
'no matter what you stand for, there is a natural desire to present your self well' ok ok... i admit... arrogant.... but completely true!
My point still stands... we always do want to look presentable... weather we can... is another question... if someone looks odd or butterz and they know it... if you gave them an option to better themselves... 110% would say HECK YEAH!!
Every human an ounce of selfishness!!
EVERYONE! look at a group photo... you will always look for yourself in it first! coz thats the human mind!
one thing i must say is that as humans... we do always constantly reinvent our image... to fit our trends and likes... it may be phrases, fashion or lifestyle.... its a mild form of evolutions... to fit the climate... our surroundings... it just so happens that designer clothing help smooth out the transition... through their clothing!
we get those things because its the way WE want to be represented, how WE want to be perceived...YOU SAY SUBCONSCIOUSLY... ok kool... it may be...but its still a choice WE make for ourselves...to be exposed to such messages... to go to the shop and try in the shoe... IF WE SUBCONSCIOUSLY ARE TOLD TO DO THINGS... and we passively accept>>>>WHY ARE WE NOT PURCHASING EVERYTHING INCLUDING NON DESIGNER!?!
MISSS KIMBERLEY ATKINSON
(Youth Events Coordinator/ Youth Advisor, SoundStage CREW O2 Arena)
IM GONE TO BED... IM ACTUALLY DYING... AND I GOT UNI 2MRA UUGH
We dont purchase everything including non designer simply because by picking designer it is a better representation of ones self, if we was to go home with something non designer and had a good allowance to pick with, we would be questioned on why we didnt pick something better?
ReplyDeleteMy point is that whether or not it is a human desire to present ones self well, some people cant afford to want because of their position so dont waste their time wanting products that are only a hinderance to them financally?!
And im sayin society boast that and puts pressure on those that cnt afford brand names and things of that sort.
So if they were to turn up in mercury shoes for example as witnessed by myself,
people would think derogatory of them which society has been forced naturally into doing. So therefore they make it an importance to wear these brands.
Yes some people wont judge, but their is always a element of arrogance in man, so it would always be in the back of their thoughts?! Think, would it be in yours, when you were at a young adolesent stage?! Yes! Exactly, you instantly come to the conclusion that they are less fortunate and place them at a lower class to ones self!
Point proven!
Thank you
Cameron Birch, M.I.G.H.T.Y Youth Panel
'if we was to go home with something non designer and had a good allowance to pick with, we would be questioned on why we didnt pick something better?'
ReplyDeleteNOT TRUE!
If i was to for example see a dress in versace that i liked and then went into top shop and saw an identical dress i would MOST DEFINATLY buy the one from top shop 100%.
However IF i was wealthy i would buy the versace, simply because of quality and it lasts longer than highstreet brands.
But if not as wealthy as others then i would choose top shop because it looks the same and no one would no any diffrent.
Also even though brand names give us more personalised clothing to suit out personalitys. Highstreet brands do EXACTLY the same nowadays, even down to primark people can pull off there own look fru cheap clothing.
So there isnt really as much pressure on youth anymore.
In conclusion youths that get desinger clothing handed to them on a plate.
That is because there parents have worked HARD long hours to treat them. Yes sometimes to the point they get SPOILED.
But they then have to teach them when they leave the nest they have to work for there own food (luxurys).
You have some poor envious of the rich.
and some rich looking down on the poor.
to be honest if anything rich people do not look down on them because of them not wearing brands, but because they want it but are not willing to work for it.
and poor less fortunate hate on the rich but they shouldnt because some rich give to the poor and less fortunate.
if you work and labels is somthing you want then that is fine.
i am more than happy to save for a brand item if i really want it,
however i am also more than happy to walk into a charity shop and buy a item of clothing from there. because if it catches my eye i will get it.
jsut happens to be that designer catched the eye alot more.
Fashion is a bitchy subject.
you guys pin point the rich
ReplyDeletebut dont pin point the poor
poor steal of rich which give to the poor
but certain poor people dont work for the riches
its all about what kind of person you are.
I think that it initially starts with society making us feel that we need to wear certain labels, due to the fact that to some people labels make them aquire status. This is done by transmitting certain values through the media. Once these values are internalized they become a norm. So people (youth) who do not wear name brand clothing may frowned upon by their peers that do wear name brand clothes, due to the fact that they are not following what seems to be 'normal'. I think that young people following the trends and designers is due to the fact that they do not want to stand out in their social group and they do not want to be judged or looked down on by their peers.
ReplyDeleteEveryone has really good points here.
ReplyDeleteNice blog x
i think that we have at some point in our lives have been followers of the popular trends like nike we didn't seem to want to be the odd one out of a peer group to have a pair of trainers like nicks or mercury. i remember when I was younger and my Grandma brought me a pair of mercury trainers and the first day that i wore them i felt like the odd one out of my peers. Now that I older i think what was the big deal i think young people are pressured to conform o what everyone else is wearing or doing. Anyway good blog well done keep up the good work
ReplyDelete