Travis Scott as a Fashion Icon

Travis Scott is known for his high-energy live performances, often featuring elaborate stage designs and special effects. He has headlined major music festivals and concerts worldwide. But Scott has also been interested in fashion. This is obvious with his involvement in fashion collaborations with brands like Nike and Jordan Brand, and he’s known for his distinctive sense of style. 

With Scott’s fearless approach to fashion and the ability to effortlessly blend streetwear with high style, he became a trendsetter in the fashion world. Often seen incorporating bold colors, oversized silhouettes, and unconventional patterns into his outfits, Travis became an undeniably prominent figure in the fashion world. 

Who is Travis Scott?

Jacques Webster, also known as Travis Scott, was born on the 30th day of April 1992 in Houston, Texas. He spent most of his early years in Missouri City with his grandmother. Later, Travis moved to the suburbs to be with his father. He is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. 

He studied at a private school before enrolling at Elkins High School. 2007, he graduated and was accepted to the University of Texas at San Antonio. However, in their second year, Scott dropped out of school to pursue a music career. Angered by Scott’s impulsive decision, his parents stopped supporting him financially.

 

After dropping out of college, Travis Scott moved to New York to begin his music career. He initially wanted to become a record producer and began focusing on hip-hop production. He spent most of his time in New York at the Just Blaze studio.

He formed a duo group with his former classmate O.G. Chess called “The Classmates.” From 2009 to 2010, The Classmate released two projects. While the first time was with Buddy Rich, the second was with Cruise’n USA. Scott primarily focuses on the production aspects of both projects. The pair remained together until 2012, after which they broke up due to financial and personal issues.

In Los Angeles, Scott was abandoned by a friend who promised to help him by providing him with a place to live. His parents decided to cut him off financially, and he eventually returned to Houston, where his parents kicked him out of their home. Scott returned to Los Angeles again and began sleeping on a classmate’s couch at the  University of Southern California. Atlanta-based rapper and owner of Grand Hustle Records, T.I. the latter heard one of Webster’s productions, titled “Lights (Love Sick).” While in Los Angeles, representatives of T.I. contacted Scott, asking him to come to the studio for a meeting. At the reunion, T.I. freely performed the song “Animal,” one of Scott’s works.

Travis Scott’s Fashion and Hip-Hop Fashion

Travis Scott rose to fame in 2012 after signing for Epic Records with his first major record deal. That same year, he signed with VERY GOOD Beats by Kanye West’s GOOD Music. He was featured on the label’s  ‘Cruel Summer’ collection to mark his association in 2012.

In April 2013, Scott signed a recording contract with the publishing company Grand Hustle by T.I.

That same year, he made his grand debut on the music scene with his very first full-length mixtape, “Owl Pharaoh.” Scott’s journey as a rapper and singer deepened when he went on to release his second mixtape, “Days Before Rodeo,” in August 2014.

However, like his mentor, Kanye West, fans come to him for more than just new music or live performances. Fans attending his live appearances and performances can attest to seeing Travis Scott dressed in his very own style: vintage t-shirts, Supreme logo t-shirts, Bape, ripped jeans, flannel, and often leather pants.

In some of his interviews, Scott revealed that back in the day, he had a blog called 12340art with similar notations of Kanye West. He posted pictures of collections and item pieces he liked from brands such as Margiela, Louis Vuitton, Billionaire Boys Club, and Chanel. It only took a matter of time before Scott’s Astroworld festival and album inspired a range of merchandise, including t-shirts, hoodies, and accessories. His ability to create hype around his products and sell them quickly is a testament to his fashion influence.

Travis Scott’s Fashion Collaborations

Scott’s collaborations with various fashion brands have further solidified his status as a fashion icon. He has worked with famous brands such as Nike, Jordan, and Dior, creating limited-edition clothing and sneaker collections that have become extremely popular. His collaborations often sell out within minutes, proving his influence in the fashion industry.

His first-ever collaboration with Nike was the iconic Air Force 1 silhouette. He made collaborations with other designers like Kareem “Biggs” Burke of Roc-A-Fella Records, Virgil Abloh, Errolson Hugh of ACRONYM, and Don C. From then on, Scott’s fashion style became a wardrobe dream.

Scott’s iconic star status and rockstar approach to fashion paved his campaign appearances for Nike’s Riccardo Tisci collections, Bape, Fenty by Puma, Alexander Wang, Saint Laurent, and more. He even had his walk during New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2015- Mark McNairy’s runway show.

Recently, he made a buzz when he became one of the first to rock the ultra-hyped, yet-to-be-released Supreme x Louis Vuitton collaboration, which the high-fashion house previewed during a Paris Fashion Week runway show Scott attended.

Further, Scott is a sneakerhead, so he has been seen in various Air Jordans and other Nike sneakers like S.B. Dunks and Air Force 1s. In time, he finally had the chance to create his own Air Jordans. He started with the Jordan 4, inspired by the old NFL franchise, the Houston Oilers, and eventually came to his third signature shoe with Nike and his second Air Jordan. 

This is also the first time a Jordan 1 featured a revamped design in the style of the ‘reverse swoosh,’ which made its reputation famous worldwide. The sneaker came in a Jordan 1 Low variant, which was contrasting to the high-cut that is a standard for Jordan 1s.

Aside from designing his sneakers, Scott has also appeared on covers, with his most prominent work being the Dior x Jordan collection cover model. Scott was rocking and controlling an entire collection, which was enough to drive fans wild, especially with the direction  Dior has taken Jordan Brand.

In addition to collaborations, Travis Scott’s style has inspired a new wave of fashion trends. His love for streetwear and ability to connect high-end and low-end pieces quickly resonated with a wide audience. Many fashion enthusiasts take inspiration from Scott, imitating his iconic looks and incorporating them into their wardrobes. 

Travis Scott’s Fashion Experiment

Travis Scott never ceases to experiment with his style. He often incorporates unconventional elements like leather harnesses, bandanas, and unique accessories into his looks, pushing the boundaries of traditional fashion.

 He has also been instrumental in breaking down gender norms in fashion, often blurring the lines between menswear and womenswear. Scott’s willingness to experiment with traditionally gendered clothing has challenged societal norms and opened up new possibilities for self-expression through fashion.

His eye for detail pays great in his fashion choices. Whether it’s his tour merchandise’s design, his sneakers’ color schemes, or his music videos’ aesthetics, he consistently showcases a keen sense of style. Also, fans became excited when he helped popularize trends like tie-dye, cargo pants, and distressed denim, making them more mainstream in fashion.

Travis Scott’s Popular Fashion Styles

  1. Graphic Tees and Hoodies: Travis Scott frequently wears graphic t-shirts and hoodies, often featuring designs, logos, or album art. He often collaborates with brands to create limited-edition products for his music launches and concerts.
  2. Retro Vibe: Travis Scott often incorporates retro elements into his outfits, such as vintage rock band tees or classic sneakers with nostalgia.
  3. Streetwear Style: He’s known for wearing oversized jackets, hoodies, and coats, giving him a streetwear edge. Bomber jackets, parkas, and vintage windbreakers are staples in his wardrobe.
  4. Distressed Denim: Scott is often spotted with distressed and heavily worn-in denim jeans. He’s known for his preference for skinny or slim-fit jeans with rips, tears, and frayed edges.
  5. Eye-Catching Accessories: Scott often wears various accessories, including chains, bracelets, and rings. He also occasionally sports headwear like baseball caps or beanies.

Conclusion

Travis Scott’s combination of distinctive style, brand collaborations, and streetwear style has cemented his status as a fashion icon. His influence on fashion is seen in how he shapes trends and how his products and collaborations resonate with fans and fashion enthusiasts. He also influences style beyond just clothing, as he’s also known for creating immersive fashion experiences through his partnerships and merch drops, which generate significant hype in the fashion and streetwear communities.