A bold, stylish deep dive into the decade that redefined American fashion-through grunge, hip-hop, supermodels, and mall rebellion.
American Pop: 1990s Fashion, Identity, and Cultural Rebellion explores how getting dressed in the '90s became an act of self-expression, resistance, and cultural reinvention. From the rise of grunge on the runways to hip-hop's takeover of luxury branding, from supermodels becoming celebrity empires to suburban teenagers buying rebellion at the mall, this book uncovers how fashion transformed the way Americans saw themselves-and each other.
Blending cultural history, media analysis, and sharp fashion criticism, American Pop traces how subcultures and style tribes reshaped the mainstream, turning streetwear, thrifted flannel, and body-conscious minimalism into cultural touchstones. It reveals how the 1990s gave rise to a new fashion democracy-one where identity mattered more than polish, and personal style became a language of rebellion, authenticity, and belonging.
Whether you're nostalgic for Doc Martens and Calvin Klein ads or curious about how fashion became the frontline of culture wars, this book will change how you see the clothes of the past-and the world they helped create.
Perfect for readers of pop culture history, fashion theory, or anyone who believes what we wear tells a story.