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How drugs have found their way into fashion

How drugs have found their way into fashion
How drugs have found their way into fashion

Drugs and fashion have always been intertwined, and not always in the best way.

Heroin chic was popularised by Kate Moss in the ’90s, but it’s not all glamour: fashion giants like Alexander McQueen and John Galliano have all spoken out about their struggles with addiction.

However, now drugs are taking a slightly different path in the world of fashion in a way that is, dare we say it, much less destructive.

Don’t believe us? Here’s our round-up of all noteworthy drugs-inspired fashion in recent times. And don’t worry – it’s all legal.

(Damian Dovarganes/AP)

If “pot art” is now a thing (which is what the artist who claims to be behind the Hollyweed sign says it is), then “pot fashion” is also now happening – apparently. Cannabis is fully legal in eight states in the US, with 28 states allowing medical marijuana. As is so often seen, fashion reflects the news, and so it makes sense that cannabis is an increasingly popular symbol in designs.It probably helps that the marijuana plant is so instantly recognisable, and it’s actually quite pretty if you think about it. Take Alexander Wang’s Autumn/Winter 2016 collection, which had cannabis plants emblazoned across the outfits.

Showing just how mainstream pot fashion was becoming, Margot Robbie wore one of Wang’s marijuana motif dresses when hosting SNL.

It’s not just Americans who are making the link between weed and fashion. It might not quite be Alexander Wang, but Black the Ripper’s designs are definitely a more affordable option.

His Dank of England clothing line is just about as British and pro-weed as you can get.

When you think of stoners, your mind might conjure up images of dudes in sweatpants sitting on their sofa eating Doritos. Obviously that’s not a representative image, but it’s the one that’s been portrayed through media. But now cannabis is getting a much more high-fashion facelift.If you have 1,600 dollars to burn, you could treat yourself to one of Saint Laurent’s Baja hoodies, favoured by Big Sean and Justin Bieber.

Celebs definitely have an influence on drugs increasingly making their way into fashion – it probably wouldn’t have happened without the likes of Miley Cyrus and Rihanna being so open about their use of weed and incorporating it into their own style.

As cannabis becomes legalised in more states it certainly is blazing a trail in fashion (geddit?), and other drugs are following suit.Jeremy Scott’s designs for Moschino are known for being brash, tacky and controversial, and none more so than the SS17 collection which was entirely themed around pills.Yep – it wasn’t exactly the most subtle of shows. Known as the label’s “capsule” collection (which is the fashion world’s attempt at a pun), pills were everywhere: all over the clothes and bags on the runway, impossible to miss.

Scott even designed phone cases to look like pill bottles, in a nod to America’s addiction to prescription meds.

There was public uproar over the collection: many people called for it to be removed from sale because it glamorised drugs and addiction, but Scott argued that it was merely a tongue-in-cheek stunt.

It’s not just clothes that are getting the drugs makeover. There’s a growing industry in really useless, gimmicky but simultaneously hilarious accessories to go with it.High fashion darling Vetements created a weed-grinder necklace, which we can only imagine is for the stylish stoner on-the-go.

Aside from being pretty ugly (in our opinion), this necklace would set you back a nauseating 750 dollars. Sad news for all those who are still tempted by this particular piece of bling, because it’s somehow managed to sell out.Sportswear is also following suit: Adidas teamed up with trainer shop BAIT with the “Happy” sneaker. Made with natural hemp, these babies even had a secret pocket for your weed. We’re not sure when normal pockets went out of style, but whatever – everyone celebrates 420 differently.

Seeing as the fashion industry has a notoriously toxic relationship with drugs and addiction, it perhaps makes sense that many designers have drawn upon it in their work.Fashion reflects what we talk about, and with so much conversation around drugs, no wonder that it has found its way into what we wear. However, we’re not quite sure if we’ll be spending our cash on a weed grinder necklace any time soon.