The Vaporwave aesthetic has found a home in street fashion after the popularity of the music genre inspired greater creative expansion. Its visual appeal stems from anime released from the 1970s up until the 1990s, the Japanese language. notably date computer OS (primarily Windows 95), marble statue artwork, and antiquated 3D graphics often associated with older digital renderings. The popular draw to keeping the Vaporware aesthetic alive is its attachment to nostalgia and the reuse of Memphis Group's post-modernism design. Vaporwave marries a collective of clashing color palettes and textures to strike a harmony between disjointed visual elements. The fashion subset of the Vaporwave aesthetic reconnects with brands that were widely followed in the '80s and '90s, such as FILA, Adidas, and Nike. Since its emergence, the distinct and striking art style has made room for itself in anime, video gaming, fashion, and music-centric communities.
Vapor95 has responded to the demand for the Vaporwave aesthetic. They have supplied multiple lines of unique streetwear and accessories that align with the bold, eye-catching, and colorful flare that the specific medium has dedicated itself to. The Vaporwave-focused retailer bases itself out of Los Angeles, California, and prides itself on working with international designers when creating new, original products. They identify as a "premier Vaporwave fashion brand, created with the purpose of facilitating the expression of Aestheticism into wearable, custom-made works of art." Vapor95's main mission is to provide Vaporwave devotees with one-of-a-kind merchandise that's handmade in the United States. Buyer beware, though, as shipping time may take a few weeks due to the lengthy process of creating each product by hand. While Vapor95 hosts an extensive catalog of unique Vaporwave finds, here is a quick look at a few of their products.
Product 1: The Great Ramen Enamel Pin
The Great Ramen Enamel Pin combines one of the most famous Japanese woodblock prints with a creative take on the nation's most beloved noodle dishes. This pin is made out of nickel and has multiple rubber clutch backings to ensure that it locks in place. It's a fairly large pin and every detail is intricately done. It exceeds quality expectations and is sure to stand out as a conversation piece when added as an accessory to any bag, vest, or anything in-between. The Great Ramen Enamel Pin can be purchased here.
Product 2: Ramen Village Crop Top
The Ramen Village Crop Top is an incredibly vibrant shirt made out of a rich polyester blend. This crop top is a storyteller and is full of character visually. Its art style pulls inspiration from series such as Sailor Moon on the front, and on its back, displays a vividly illustrated panel that could have been plucked out of Naturo. The artwork is dyed into the fabric instead of being printed to rest on top of the shirt so that the Ramen Village Crop Top refuses to fade or have its art wash away. This cute crop top is sure to delight any anime fan looking to add something flashy to their wardrobe. It is available for purchase here.
Product 3: Zen Shiba Tee (in Black)
This cotton tee is printed with eco-friendly water-based ink that supports Vapor95's climate-conscious outlook when designing its merchandise. The Zen Shiba Tee is a gender-neutral top designed with a unisex fit in mind featuring an adorable Shiba Inu printed on the front. The Shiba print is a bit larger physically than it appears to be in the model photo, and the shirt itself is fairly long while offering a loose fit. While it's respected and understood that the graphic tee is designed to be genderless, it could be more flattering while being worn if it were form-fit. The print on the shirt itself is incredibly interesting and ornate in detail. It's a casual-yet-engaging piece of casual wear that'll challenge the standards of aesthetic graphic tees. The Zen Shiba tee can be bought here in black or white.
Product 4: Feline Shogun Tee (in Black)
Similar sentiments can be shared about the Feline Shogun Tee which is fairly redundant in regards to the Zen Shiba Tee. This cotton tee is printed with eco-friendly water-based ink that supports Vapor95's climate-conscious outlook when designing its merchandise. The Shogun Feline Tee is a gender-neutral top designed with a unisex fit in mind featuring a feisty tabby feline printed on the front. The cat print is a bit larger physically than it appears to be in the model photo, and the shirt itself is fairly long while offering a loose fit. Again, while it's respected and understood that the graphic tee is designed to reflect androgynous neutrality, it could be more flattering on the wearer if it were made with a form-fitting design. The print on the shirt itself reflects similar themes in the Zen Shiba Tee while appearing as a more simplistic counterpoint to its canine companion. The Shogun Feline Tee is made with a casual look in mind without dulling down the amount of creativity put into graphic shifts. They can be found here in black or white.
There's more to Vapor95 than the small sample of items that have been featured in the review. Shop their entire collection of bomber jackets, tops, bottoms, pins, outfit sets, accessories, and special releases here.
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