Infamous Red Box Part.1

The Infamous Red Box 
Part.1

 

An explanation, an insight, and possibly enlightenment. This is going to be based on the two main Red Box Logo brands that are currently having a massive boost in exposure: Obey and Supreme. This article is not going to question whether or not either of these brands are in fact streetwear or not simply give a brief overview as to why they are in there respective reviews.

OBEY:

Production of obey clothing is possibly the most simplistic and true streetwear brand around. Although not highly influenced by fashion like other brands, Obey Clothing is based solely on the graffiti and street art of it's owner Shepard Fairey and for this reason has the full message, origin and influences of streetwear that many brands lack.

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MANIFESTO 

"the OBEY campaign can be explained as an experiment in Phenomology. The first aim of Phenomology is to reawaken a sense of wonder about one's environment. The OBEY campaign attempts to stimulate curiosity and bring people to question both the campaign and their relationship with their surroundings. Because people are not used to seeing advertisements or propaganda for which the motive is not obvious, frequent and novel encounters with OBEY PROPAGANDA provoke thought and possibly frustration, never the less revitalising the viewer's perception and attention to detail. To catalyse a thoughtful dialogue deconstructing the process of image absorption is the ultimate goal. All in the name and fun and observation. The medium is the message."
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A tag with this with this written on is included with most real pieces of obey clothing, excluding "OBEY POSSE", which has a separate message and purpose. Now what is the irony that many people will buy fake Obey tee-shirt, or simply those that do not attempt to be fakes but simply have the word "OBEY" printed on them? To put it bluntly: EXTREMELY. Especially since Obey is possibly the easiest streetwear brand to get, as it has: its own web store; high street stockists: such as Urban outfitters and some of the larger Topshop/man stores; as well as many dedicated eBay stockists that get samples from Fairey himself. But people will continue to buy into the look of music artists and those in the media and not the message by going out of their way to find fakes simply to pay less. Which is strength only strengthens the message and "phenomology" which is mentioned in the MANIFESTO. But the question I pose to you is:

Does it really strengthen the message or slowly begin to bastardise it?