Today’s blog was guest written by L.A. consultant and fashion guru Dave Beasing.
It’s often said that new trends start on the coasts and move inland. If so, you’ll be interested to know that holiday shopping here in LA has taken on a decidedly Rock ‘N’ Roll feel. New stores in my mainstream, middle class neighborhood include chain outlets for Urban Outfitters and Royal Dutchess, plus boutiques carrying tight-fitting Rock & Republic and True Religion jeans, gritty Ed Hardy and Monarchy T-shirts, and blink 182 drummer Travis Barker’s Stars and Straps clothing line. One store here even sells duplicate reprints of T-shirts worn by iconic Rock stars during their concerts in the ’60s and ’70s (photographic proof included with purchase). Dr. Marten’s, the work boots of choice in Seattle during the Grunge explosion, were recently spotted on the catwalk at LA Fashion Week.
Does fashion’s Rock look mean the music is on an upswing? Maybe, maybe not. Consider that The Ramones have now sold more T-shirts with their name on it than records. Arturo Vega, who designed their logo and still gets about 10 licensing requests a week, admits to an Australian newspaper that “the people buying the shirt don’t know the band. It’s sad.” Or, as the Stanford Daily puts it, “If you are wearing a T-shirt that says ‘rock star’ or ‘punk,’ you aren’t one.”
Whether music and fashion influence the other – a “chicken or egg” issue – is never certain. But with Guitar Hero III and Rock Band video games flying off the shelves, plenty of pop culture trends are encouraging to Rockers. Sure beats another Christmas of baggy jeans and bling.
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