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So like any other normal American kid growing up in the 90s/early 2000s, I knew how to draw the Stussy S in all of my notebooks, knowing nothing except it was some skate brand. Cool. Nobody I knew (grew up in a upper middle class/white part of SoCal) really loved or wore Stussy like other brands of the day (i.e. big skate/surf brands that are still known today), but I have obviously seen the occasional stussy shirt here or there. If you told me it was became some marshalls brand, I wouldn't have known the difference.
It wasn't until I went to Honolulu last year and saw the Stussy Honolulu Chapter shirt EVERYWHERE. During that trip I realized that the chapter shirts (i.e. store locations shirts) have some appeal for tourists - almost like Planet Hollywood shirts from yesteryear.
Now, I just got back from East Asia (China, Japan, Korea) where I obviously saw Stussy shirts even more. I decided that I want to try to nab a Stussy Tokyo shirt, figured it would be good keepsake from my trip - only to learn that the stores only stock the Chapter shirts a couple times a year?? And they sell out instantly and you have to wait in a long line to get them? (I also found out that you can get them during their outlet sale in OC?). They're just regular print t-shirts.
Looking online, Stussy is still alive and well and selling all kinds of 50 dollar print t shirts and $160 flannels, and $225 outwear jackets? It seems like the brand has now adopted more of a high end street wear, even though it originated in more the skate/punk scenes? I don't understand this brand at all. Can r/mfa help understand what Stussy is - who buys them, what's their market and why can't I get a normal print t shirt when I go to one of their stores in another country?
I think Stüssy has an incredible brand - the history with the international stussy tribe, iconic typography and graphics, the design of their stores, how they have adapted the tribe over time and have kept a finger on the cultural pulse of who will best represent their brand, etc.
But the clothes are mid, and might be the worst part about the brand.
It’s the same cardigan, Big Ol Jeans, zip up flannel, and fleece every season - the same OL collab, the same Nike collab. It’s tired - and I won’t even shit on quality because it’s low price.