The Hypebeast100 shines a yearly spotlight on the world’s most influential creative movers and shakers, 100 designers, artists, musicians and other creative forces who shaped and evolved culture over the past year. In a year when the digital and physical worlds were brought closer than ever by the full arrival of AI into the cultural lexicon, the parameters of what being “creative” means seemed to shift. The full ramifications of that shift have yet to manifest, but one thing’s for certain: a lot changed in 2023, and there are many more changes on the horizon as well.
Five Hypebeast100 cover stars — reggaeton superstar J Balvin, Glenn Martens of Diesel and Y/Project, Ottolinger founders Christa Bösch and Cosima Gadient, Martine Rose, designer of her eponymous label, and Dr. Samuel Ross of A-COLD-WALL*— were asked for their thoughts on the last 12 months, their greatest accomplishments over that time period and what about the future excites them. From full-fledged answers to quotes, see all of their responses below and stay tuned for the rollout of the full Hypebeast100 list tomorrow, December 12.
J Balvin
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What was the biggest change you saw in the cultural landscape over the course of 2023?
The biggest change I saw in culture this year is straight-up fashion, with Pharrell joining Louis Vuitton and his first showing in Paris. It was such a moment, The massive growth of Latin music too, its unstoppable. Knowing I play a role in that is beautiful and inspiring.Historically, Latinos would just mumble or pretend we knew the words to English music, so now that it’s the other way around, its beautiful to see because everyone’s interested to learn [about the music], they’re interested in singing the songs, they’re interested to know a culture and enjoy it. I’ve even seen people who have started learning Spanish because of it, so it goes beyond just music.
What was the most impactful moment of the year for you from a professional or creative standpoint?
My Air Jordan 3 collaboration being regarded as one of the year’s best sneakers is a huge statement. As a Latino man, I think that’s mind-blowing to be among the top drops of the year with a shoe that’s inspired by the Medellín sunset. I’m putting on for my hometown and preaching a different point of view to the world.
What kept you motivated to remain creative this year?
I’m always in a creative zone. My brain won’t stop just thinking about the next creative thing I can do, and that’s not limited to music. I always ask myself “How can I level up and use my creativity to elevate my culture?”
How would you describe your personal style right now?
I do whatever I feel. It’s about what I want to project. It’s all about feeling confident within yourself. I like to be really creative with the way I dress and try to express myself without even talking.
What’s the most important lesson you learned this year?
I learned about patience, once again. I learned to prioritize your close circle;those are your people. I heard something really cool this year: “They say that friends are like stars, you see them through the darkness.”
What about the future of fashion excites you the most?
This new generation of designers. I’m always looking for something new and fresh that people haven’t heard of. Young designers aren’t afraid to take a risk and be creative, because they have nothing to lose. I love any artist that has that mindset.
Glenn Martens
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What was the biggest change you saw in the cultural landscape over the course of 2023?
I’m really enchanted and happy to see people connecting to the essential part of fashion, namely the drawing and design of real clothes. Y/Project ranked very highly on Lyst this year, and the only thing we’ve been doing is that: designing real clothes. It’s beautiful to see that integrity back on the runway.
What was the most impactful moment of the year for you from a professional or creative standpoint?
Making a free 7-hour rave for 7,000 people with a 30-minute break for a runway show. That, and keeping one of the biggest screens ever made in Europe on for three days street to give the people of Milan a free movie festival.
What kept you motivated to remain creative this year?
I’m a person of extremes, so the more I work the more creative and inspired I become. I need extreme lows in creativity to balance out the highs too, so sometimes I needed to just get out of everything by either hiking or camping, even going completely wild for a week and taking a break from society.
How would you describe your personal style right now?
Basic.
What’s the most important lesson you learned this year?
A lesson everyone knows and everyone should always be reminded of: that tomorrow will be better. Even in the darkest times, there’s sunshine.
What about the future of fashion excites you the most?
Fashion is a continuously changing industry. It goes so fast that you can only be excited about tomorrow, because you have no idea what’ll happen after that.
Christa Bösch and Cosima Gadient
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What was the biggest change you saw in the cultural landscape over the course of 2023?
The turbulence. The world is not in a good place, and hope is more important than ever.
What was the most impactful moment of the year for you from a professional or creative standpoint?
This year had so many impactful moments [both in and beyond fashion] — especially political moments.
What kept you motivated to remain creative this year?
One of our mums always says “If something bad is happening around you, never give up. It doesn’t make the situation better if you give up, and giving up would only let the other side win.” So, we are keeping up. We like challenges — and we want to show the best version of ourselves, make the best collection we can and be part of a change.
How would you describe your personal style right now?
Cozy wrapped. It’s freezing in Berlin at the moment. It’s the perfect time for Ottolinger Moon Boots.
What’s the most important lesson you learned this year?
Never give up, and always do the best you can.
What about the future of fashion excites you the most?
New inventions, new styles … in short, we love new. And it feels like it’s about time for something new to appear!
Martine Rose
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“As a designer, I’m interested in what people wear, how they wear it and the people themselves: their characters and the complicated spectrum of what people are and what they can be.”
Dr. Samuel Ross
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“Precision. Time. Craft.”
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