The Rise of Streetwear: From Subculture to Global Movement

Streetwear has transformed from a niche subculture into a dominant force within the global fashion industry.  Who Decides War Born in the 1980s and 1990s from the skateboarding, hip-hop, and punk scenes of New York and Los Angeles, streetwear was a style of resistance—anti-establishment in its DNA and rooted in self-expression. Unlike traditional fashion, which often trickled down from haute couture and luxury houses, streetwear rose organically from the streets. Brands like Supreme, Stüssy, and A Bathing Ape didn't just sell clothing; they sold lifestyle, identity, and exclusivity.

The streetwear movement gained steam as its early adopters—young, rebellious, and culturally attuned—wore it as a uniform of defiance. DIY aesthetics, bold graphics, and limited drops cultivated a sense of rarity and community, disrupting traditional fashion economics. Soon, the world took notice. By the late 2010s, luxury labels like Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga were collaborating with streetwear designers, signaling a paradigm shift. No longer confined to underground scenes, streetwear had become a language of global youth culture. This cultural ascent laid the foundation for newer, narrative-driven brands like Who Decides War to rise—not just as fashion labels, but as cultural storytellers.

Who Decides War: The Brand Rewriting Fashion's Rules

Founded by Ev Bravado and Téla D’Amore, Who Decides War (WDW) has quickly ascended as one of the most exciting brands in modern streetwear. Unlike other labels that focus primarily on logo-driven appeal, WDW positions itself at the intersection of storytelling, craftsmanship, and social commentary. From its inception, the brand has questioned not just style, but societal structures, using its garments to challenge ideas of power, justice, and community. Their name alone—“Who Decides War”—evokes confrontation and inquiry, asking viewers to reflect on control, conflict, and authority.

Bravado, formerly known for his eponymous denim line “Ev Bravado,” brings a high level of artisanal detail to every WDW piece. His designs, often made from repurposed materials, feature intricate embroidery, hand-dyed fabrics, and a gothic-meets-gospel aesthetic. D’Amore, his creative and life partner, infuses the collections with spiritual and emotional nuance. Together, they create pieces that are both wearable and museum-worthy, blurring the lines between streetwear and high fashion.

Their collections don't merely follow seasonal trends; they echo ongoing cultural battles—racial injustice, faith, mental health, and more. Through WDW, Bravado and D’Amore are building not just a fashion label, but a movement—one that equips the streetwear revolution with both armor and message.

Deconstructing Aesthetic: Denim, Distress, and Divine Motifs

One of the most defining features of Who Decides War is its ability to blend visual aggression with spiritual depth. This duality is seen most clearly in the brand’s signature denim pieces—often distressed, patchworked, and embroidered with biblical motifs or apocalyptic imagery. The use of raw, frayed edges symbolizes the imperfect and turbulent nature of modern identity, while the religious symbolism speaks to hope, redemption, and transformation.

WDW’s aesthetic draws from multiple visual languages. There’s the punk influence, with deconstructed silhouettes and loud graphic prints. There’s a deep appreciation for Black church traditions, as seen in stained-glass inspired visuals and choir robe-esque outerwear. And there’s an unmistakable reverence for fine art—some pieces resemble Renaissance paintings more than clothing. This melting pot of styles doesn’t feel chaotic; instead, it’s cohesive and deliberate, like a visual sermon delivered through garments.

Moreover, the brand challenges traditional gender norms through its silhouettes and styling, often favoring flowing shapes and layered textures that subvert mainstream masculinity. Every thread, stitch, and print is a statement, creating a vocabulary of resistance and remembrance. WDW doesn't design for the runway—they design for the battlefield of culture, using fashion as both shield and sword.

Cultural Commentary in Cotton: WDW as a Voice of Resistance

Who Decides War doesn't merely make clothing—it delivers commentary. In an age where fashion is often criticized for being tone-deaf or performative, WDW stands apart as a brand that integrates activism and authenticity. Their pieces are not just garments; they are declarations. Each collection serves as a time capsule of modern struggle, often referencing police brutality, racial injustice, environmental decay, and spiritual rebirth. By embedding these themes in high-quality fabric, the brand creates wearable activism.

The use of upcycled materials is one such act of resistance. Rather than rely solely on mass-manufactured textiles, WDW often repurposes vintage garments, adding a new narrative layer to pieces with existing histories. This not only makes each item unique but also critiques the wastefulness of the fashion industry.

WDW’s collections often debut in settings that reinforce their message—such as the solemn yet powerful Spring/Summer 2023 show staged in a church. Models walked down aisles in garments adorned with angels and broken crosses, invoking themes of loss, salvation, and endurance. In doing so, WDW reminds the fashion world that beauty and struggle are not mutually exclusive. They can coexist, and when they do, they become revolutionary.

The Gospel of the Streets: Spirituality and Urban Influence

What truly sets Who Decides War apart is its fearless embrace of spirituality within the secular space of streetwear. While many fashion houses tiptoe around religion to avoid controversy, WDW dives headfirst into its symbols, stories, and power. Angels, stained glass, sacred geometry—these aren't just decorative motifs in WDW’s designs; they’re visual prayers, reminders of transcendence amid turmoil.

Bravado has often spoken about how his faith and upbringing influence his work. You can feel it in the ethereal way his garments drape and shine, in the reverence of his color palettes, and in the almost liturgical pace of his shows. The result is a brand that feels both modern and ancient, sacred and rebellious.

This spiritual influence merges seamlessly with urban grit. WDW doesn't sanitize the streets; it sanctifies them. Graffiti-inspired typography, bullet hole-like https://whodecideswars.com/ distressing, and silhouettes that resemble both clergy robes and combat uniforms suggest a spiritual warfare—a battle not just fought with fists or protests, but with love, self-expression, and unity.

In this way, WDW turns every sidewalk into a sanctuary and every wearer into a preacher. The gospel they spread? That you are worthy, powerful, and divine—even in a world determined to break you.