When we discuss fashion and the influence different cities have had on the fashion industry, which city comes to mind? Usually, LA, New York, Paris, and London, are the first couple cities that come to mind. One city that is always left out of the conversation: is Atlanta. The city of Atlanta’s fashion scene has definitely developed over time. When you take a closer look at the fashion scene in the city, it has grown to pride itself on the individuality aspect of fashion. That sense and need for individuality and creativity drive Atlanta’s underground streetwear scene. Streetwear as a niche in fashion has always been seen as individualistic and what’s true to certain people. Whether it’s wearing head to toe dickies outfit or a knit sweater created by a young designer in the city, the idea of portraying your individuality through your outfit stays the same.
With a bubbling underground streetwear scene happening in Atlanta and a new Renaissance in fashion culture as well, it only made sense to create a platform that allowed these brands to be showcased and exposed to a larger audience, and that’s what Atlanta Streetwear Market was designed for. If you live in Atlanta and haven’t heard of the Atlanta Streetwear Market, you’ve been living under a rock. 
Since its creation in late 2017 Atlanta Streetwear Market has been the go-to event for streetwear and fashion enthusiast in the city. It is a weekend-long event that showcases a multitude of underground streetwear brands from the city and from all over the country. Over the years, they have had brands like: BEFORE COMMON ERA, Underdog, 49 Grand, Kitboys Club, just to name a few.
Over the years, the event has grown from more than just a streetwear expo; it has now turned into a culture expo. Aside from just clothing brands being front and center, the event has live DJs from the city and local artists attending to have art installations present. It not only showcases the clothing, but the art and music in Atlanta as well. Amongst having success over the years, the Atlanta Streetwear Market has also done a lot for inclusion in the streetwear space.
In late 2021 it hosted its first all-woman streetwear market. This was a chance for only women-led streetwear brands to get their exposure and flowers. It was also an 
opportunity to give women of color brands a platform to reach a wider audience and gain recognition. This isn’t an everyday occurrence. It is known that it can be harder for women of color in fashion to gain notoriety and exposure. More prominent brands or other designers can and have stolen designs from black and women of color designers and did not even give the designers their credit. So Atlanta Street Wear Market has seemed to make it essential to champion women of color brands and designers.
Atlanta Streetwear Market has proven to not only themselves, but also the city that they are here to stay as the premier go-to streetwear and culture event in Atlanta. In 2021, they had three events with brands coming from 15 cities nationwide. While showcasing 260 different bands to 20,355 attendees and counting. It’s safe to say they have laid a great foundation and imprint on the streetwear culture in Atlanta. With Showcasing multiple underground streetwear brands, to being the first in town to give women of color fashion designers a platform to grow and reach a wider audience, it’s only more to come. The market is hailed to have 3 more events this year, with the first one happening April 23-24th. With designers and brands in attendance like Skyyline, SHILAKEN, Faith+Figures, Vile hearts, Grounded New York, and many more.
For news and updates on the event and where to get tickets, please visit their website or follow them on Instagram @theatlantastreetwearmarket.
