As a senior at Apex High, I’ve had the opportunity to observe the diverse world of clothing and fashion among my peers. In the hallways and classrooms, one can spot an abundance of clothing brands, trends, and styles that make our high school experience unique. From Yeezys to Supreme controversies, the clothing scene at Apex High is very intriguing. 

It’s impossible to ignore the prevalence of the different types of sneakers at school. One example is Yeezys with Yeezy Slides and Yeezy 350 sneakers being the most popular options.. These iconic kicks designed by Kanye West have become a fashion staple for quite a few students. In fact, it’s estimated that these shoes make up a decent portion of our school’s footwear landscape, with approximately 1/12 of all the shoes falling into the Yeezy category. However, this doesn’t include the other expensive shoe/clothing brands that are in the school. 

Nike has their fair share of expensive shoes, too. Their “Dunks” retail for around $130, but that’s if you can get your hands on them. Sometimes, limited edition Dunks are very hard to purchase and could be resold for thousands of dollars. Other brands that sell relatively expensive shoes/clothing include Offwhite, Supreme, and Bape. 

Widely advertised, budget-friendly clothing brands like Nike, Under Armour, and Adidas also have a strong presence at Apex High. These brands are popular not only for their affordability but also for their quality and stylish designs. Students can often be seen wearing their favorite sportswear and sneakers from these household names, which reflects the influence of athleticism and sports in our school’s culture.

Whilst mainstream brands dominate the landscape, there’s a small community of students who prefer exclusive and expensive clothing brands like Bape, Supreme, and Offwhite. These brands are known for their unique designs and limited releases, making them highly desired by fashion enthusiasts. I had the opportunity to interview Jamar B., a student at Apex High, who was able to confirm that there is indeed a noticeable presence of these high-end brands within our school. 

Recently, Supreme, one of the most sought-after streetwear brands, found itself tangled in a controversy that rippled through the fashion world. Tremaine Emory, who served as the creative director of Supreme for a year and a half, publicly stated that he resigned from the company due to “systemic racism.” His departure was a result of disagreements regarding a collaboration with Arthur Jafa, a well known black artist known for his work portraying the history of slavery and its violence. 

The marketing campaign for this collaboration intended to include provocative imagery, such as “the depiction of Black men being hanged and the freed slave Gordon pictured with his whip lashes on his back,” as explained by Emory. However, the controversy arose when Emory claimed that these images were pulled without his consent, leading to his resignation. This incident has sparked discussions about the fashion industry’s responsibility in handling sensitive subjects and its role in promoting social awareness. 

The fashion scene at Apex High is a dynamic mix of mainstream brands, high-end labels, and sneaker culture. While many students opt for popular and accessible brands, there is a niche group that is in favor of exclusive streetwear. The latest uproar over Supreme reminds us that, right here in our school, fashion is a way to express our thoughts and drive change. It’s a reflection of how our school community is changing and keeping up with the fashion world’s trends.