Lo-Life: An American Classic

Lo-Life: An American Classic takes the reader on a tripto New York City in the early 80s-a time when crimeand violence ran the streets. The infamous Lo-Lifegang emerged from this tumultuous time. Formedby crews of teenagers from the Brownsville and CrownHeights neighborhoods of Brooklyn, they made a namefor themselves by dressing head-to-toe in expensive RalphLauren clothing, or Lo. Polo apparel-and other preppy80s fashion labels like Guess, Nautica, and Benetton, among others-represented an aspirational lifestyle forthese kids from rough neighborhoods just struggling toget by. Fighting for style and survival, the Lo-Lifestargeted these brands, and would acquire them by anymeans necessary, including stick-ups, shoplifting, and
hustling. A reign of terror ensued, when your new wintercoat could make you the target for a robbery-or worse.

What started as an informal gang uniform organizedaround clean designs and bright colors, became adevotion to a lifestyle brand, and eventually created anassociation between the streets and luxury that wouldfundamentally change the fashion industry. Lo-Life: AnAmerican Classic documents the personal collectionsof exclusive archival vintage photographs amassed bythe crew and interviews with original members, presenting the first comprehensive oral history of thisnotorious New York collective.

Lo-Life is the remarkable story of a small group of teenagersfighting to make a name for themselves who eventuallymade themselves seen, heard, and emulated globally.

Love and Loyalty

Author: Jackson Blount, George Rack-Lo Billips
Publisher: powerHouse Books
Published: 12/06/2016
Pages: 232
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 2.40lbs
Size: 7.50h x 10.10w x 1.00d
ISBN: 9781576878125

About the Author
Jackson Blount, a Brooklyn native, graduated from SVA in 2001. He has designed professionally since, doing both corporate and freelance work throughout his design career. Rack-Lois one of the main catalysts of the Lo-Life movement. He played a major role in the unification of boosting crews of the early 80s to form the world-renowned Lo-Life crew. Under this umbrella, the Lo-Lifes have continued to make history. This lifestyle that originated in hip hop's golden era, continues to grow and expand around the globe. As a journalist, Rack-Lo has written features for, The SourceandFrank 151. With contributions from original Lo-Life members: Uncle Disco Thirstin Howl the 3rd Bek-Live Shillz da Realz Prance-Lo B-Bob Lo Fi-L