Vaping has taken the world by storm. Millions of people preferred a new tech way of smoking to a traditional one. Whether these are the bans on smoking in public places or the growing concerns on health effects of smoking, but the sales of vapes are constantly growing. Fashion culture has also embraced vaping and made it one of the biggest trends of the last decade.
Vape Is the New Fashion Accessory
Products that have beautiful and thought-out designs are grabbing the attention of people in fashion. They appreciate the combo of aesthetics and functionality. The best vapes on the market look modern, sleek and cutting edge.
It's a perfect accessory due to its small compact size. One can hold it in their hands like a phone or a cup of coffee. Remember Leonardo DiCaprio making headlines after The SAG Awards in 2015? Everyone discussed him using his vape pen during the ceremony more hotly than his award for the best leading role.
Sienna Miller followed Leo's example and brought her vape pen to the Golden Globes. In 2016, Katy Perry joined the list of vaping celebrities appearing at the Golden Globe with her device.
When fans who are prone to copy the stars and people who seek fashion see style icons rocking a new trend, they decide to join it. It's not a surprise that vaping went viral very fast.
In fact, many actors, singers, and other celebs were spotted with e-cigarettes by paparazzi. Katherine Heigl, Johnny Depp, Jack Nicholson, Jack Black, Samuel L. Jackson, Lady Gaga, just to name a few.
Media Makes Vaping Trendy
While we can see many celebrities enjoying vaping on the red carpet or in their free time, PR placement is also on the rise. Perhaps, it's one of the main reasons behind the success of the industry.
Celebrity endorsement is a powerful marketing trick. Today, finding the best vapes here in videos is far from an isolated incident. Watch the hip-hop group Migos' video "Motorsport" which features Cardi B and Nicki Minaj or the latest J.Lo's "Dinero" which features DJ Khaled and Cardi B.
It can also be seen in films. The most famous scene is Johnny Depp talking with Angelina Jolie in a train in "The Tourist" and blowing clouds of vapor.
TV shows don't lag behind. Katherine Heigl discussed the benefits of her new habit with David Letterman in 2010. And the appearance of Snoop Dogg on Conan O'Brien Late Night Show with a present (it was a herb vaporizer, of course) is worth seeing.
Some celebrities go even further and collaborate with the manufactures to launch their own products. Hip-hop artists are the first in the music world to enter the vaping game. Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross, A$AP Rocky, and Wiz Khalifa were quite successful in their collaborations.
The Hype in Social Networks
The vape movement has hit the net hard in recent years. One can find numerous photos of people enjoying vaping on Instagram and Snapchat and the best vape reviews on Youtube. The huge levels of social net exposure contribute to promoting the trend among people of all ages.
In the same time, any vape enthusiast can become famous due to their hobby. A 23-year old sensation Austin Lawrence managed to get 2 million followers thanks to his mind-blowing vape tricks you can see at his Instagram account. Now he gives interviews to different magazines and endorses a safer alternative for smoking.
Vaping Meets Fashion
The vaping culture can offer more than an exclusive smoking experience. The industry's fans can show their devotion and personal style at the same time wearing vape clothing.
These clothes are a new wave of urban fashion that resembles the streetwear trends we all know and love. Since the early 2000s have been making a strong fashion comeback lately, the fashionistas all over the world dress up in baseball caps, t-shirts, hoodies, and other garments that fall under the streetwear category. You may remember Kylie Jenner in her Vetements velour track pants with a crystal-embellished logo "Juicy". And the oversized, long-sleeve hoodie was the hottest thing on the streets of Paris during the Fashion Week in 2017.
The streetwear trend doesn't seem to disappear any time soon. So, anyone can follow it by simply buying vape wear that is a few times cheaper than that of brands like Vetements.
Let's revisit the 1990s and take a look at the photographic artwork that captured supermodels like Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Cindy Crawford or Linda Evangelista. They were often photographed with a cigarette. It was a thing of glamour. Can we imagine a future supermodel with an e-cig between her fingers? Of course, we can.
What Makes People Stick to Vapes?
You will agree with me that we don't usually copy everything celebs do. We also don't do something we don't like just because others enjoy it. There are some attractive features in vaping that makes people use it regularly.
Enticing Flavors
One of the biggest drawbacks of smoking is the unpleasant smell of tobacco that clings to clothes, hair, and skin of smokers. It is especially annoying for the non-smokers.
But that is not an issue with vaping. There are literary thousands of juice flavors available online and in vape shops. It allows vapers to experiment with flavors all the time. The vapor can taste and smell like fruit, spice, gum, or even be odorless.
Cool-looking designs
Manufacturers hook up with high-end designers to reach the combination of functionality and style. They go above and beyond to give the devices a sophisticated appearance.
Different types of vapes are available for lovers of vaping and collectors. Some are made of stabilized wood, marble or resin. Some have fancy paintings on them. Others are encrusted with rhinestones.
In fact, the design does matter. In 2012, Olivia Alexander posted a picture on her Instagram of a vaporizer she embellished herself. It caused such a stir that in just a week she was ready to start the business that exists to these days. The Crystal Cult produces fashion-forward cannabis vaporizers, accessories and eyewear.
Although the initial boom seems to be cooling down, vaping doesn't lose its popularity. And you still have time to catch up with the trend.
**