Research Catalog

Lo-life : an American classic / written by George "Rack-Lo" Billips ; presented by Jackson Blount ; with contributions by Uncle Disco [and 6 others].

Title
Lo-life : an American classic / written by George "Rack-Lo" Billips ; presented by Jackson Blount ; with contributions by Uncle Disco [and 6 others].
Author
Billups, George
Publication
Brooklyn, NY : Powerhouse Books, 2016.

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StatusFormatAccessCall NumberItem Location
TextRequest in advance GT617.N4 B55 2016Off-site

Details

Additional Authors
  • Blount, Jackson
  • Uncle Disco
Description
230 pages : chiefly color illustrations; 20 x 26 cm
Summary
"Lo-Life: An American Classic takes the reader on a trip to New York City in the early 80s, a time when crime and violence ran the streets. The infamous Lo-Life gang emerged from this tumultuous time. Formed by crews of teenagers from the Brownsville and Crown Heights neighborhoods of Brooklyn, they made a name for themselves by dressing head-to-toe in expensive Ralph Lauren clothing, or "Lo." Polo apparel and other preppy 80s fashion labels like Guess, Nautica, and Benetton, among others, represented an aspirational lifestyle for these kids from rough neighborhoods just struggling to get by. Fighting for style and survival, the Lo-Lifes targeted these brands, and would acquire them by any means necessary, including stick-ups, shoplifting, and hustling. A reign of terror ensued, when your new winter coat could make you the target for a robbery or worse. What started as an informal gang uniform organized around clean designs and bright colors, became a devotion to a lifestyle brand, and eventually created an association between the streets and luxury that would fundamentally change the fashion industry. Lo-Life: An American Classic documents the personal collections of exclusive archival vintage photographs amassed by the crew and interviews with original members, presenting the first comprehensive oral history of this notorious New York collective. Lo-Life is the remarkable story of a small group of teenagers fighting to make a name for themselves who eventually made themselves seen, heard, and emulated globally"--Publisher's description.
Subjects
Genre/Form
Pictorial works
Processing Action (note)
  • committed to retain
Contents
Machine generated contents note: The Beginning -- Crews -- The Pioneers -- Living The Lo Life -- Money, Hoes & Clothes -- Boosting -- Lo Down -- I.T.s -- Missions -- Crime Pays -- Out of State Trips -- The Deuce -- Street Rivalry -- From Negative to Positive -- The Legacy Continues -- Lo Goose on the Deuce -- Lo Trade -- Lo Annual BBQ -- Lo-Life Clothing.
ISBN
  • 9781576878125
  • 1576878120
OCLC
  • 936143713
  • SCSB-12643468
Owning Institutions
Harvard Library