{"id":1104,"date":"2022-10-04T04:54:45","date_gmt":"2022-10-04T04:54:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brownsvillenews.org\/rack-lo-of-the-lo-lifes-curates-craftpalooza-fashion-show-launching-october-22nd-in-brooklyn\/"},"modified":"2022-10-04T04:54:45","modified_gmt":"2022-10-04T04:54:45","slug":"rack-lo-of-the-lo-lifes-curates-craftpalooza-fashion-show-launching-october-22nd-in-brooklyn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brownsvillenews.org\/?p=1104","title":{"rendered":"RACK-LO OF THE LO-LIFES CURATES CRAFTPALOOZA FASHION SHOW – LAUNCHING OCTOBER 22ND IN BROOKLYN"},"content":{"rendered":"
Rack-Lo \u2013 New York City<\/em><\/h5>\n

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Edited by: Nathifa King<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

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By now, you may have read or watched countless documentaries about the history of Ralph Lauren<\/em><\/strong> and his juggernaut of a company \u2013 Polo by Ralph Lauren<\/em><\/strong>.\u00a0 You may already know of the billions of dollars of product and real-estate that his company have amassed throughout the years.\u00a0 If you are ages 30 + and lived in the US since the 90\u2019s, you also may have shopped Lauren\u2019s multi-tiered brand-offerings within department stores such as Macy\u2019s, Bloomingdale\u2019s,<\/em> and their countless free-standing stores and outlets throughout America and abroad. \u00a0As you may have noticed, back then, the prices may have been a bit high for inner-city kids to afford.\u00a0 Amid all these truths, specifically during the 80\u2019s and 90\u2019s, you may have noticed pools of teenagers all throughout the subways, bus stations and malls wearing Polo Ralph Lauren garments from head to toe.\u00a0 Have you ever wondered how these inner-city Youth could afford such pricy apparel?\u00a0 If you are an outsider, what you may not know is that there were specifically two groups of Youth that spearheaded this trend right under the noses of the elite.\u00a0 This is truly a rags to riches<\/em> story of Youth with great aspirations of wealth and success, taking their destiny into their own hands; working through adversity and eventually accomplishing their dreams and status in life.<\/p>\n

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LO-LIFE POWER:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

The brand Polo \u2013 Ralph Lauren<\/em> was created and designed as an aspirational brand that represents the affluent community of Americans with disposable income.\u00a0 According to Matthias Meyer<\/em>, \u00a0\u201cRalph Lauren Corporation is a global leader in the design, marketing, and distribution of premium lifestyle products.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even though Polo had successful product placement, it didn\u2019t necessarily appeal to the style of the inner-city Youth Culture.\u00a0 The designs and colors were attractive, but the way the brand presented the product was, according to popular inner-city opinion, corny.<\/em>\u00a0 This is where Rack-Lo <\/em><\/strong>and his group of cohorts came into play.\u00a0 Unbeknownst to Polo \u2013 Ralph Lauren, their brand was about to get a face-lift!<\/p>\n

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Rack-Lo \u2013 Early Years<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

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RACK-LO:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Referred to as the Polo Godfather \u2013<\/em><\/strong> George Billips<\/em><\/strong> aka \u201cRack-Lo\u201d<\/em><\/strong> advocates for many agendas as it relates to Education, Socialism, Politics, History, Entrepreneurialism, Self-Investment and Family<\/em>.\u00a0 Fashion is just one part of the life that he enjoys. Fashion is always relevant in Rack-Lo\u2019s life no matter the occasion because it\u2019s all about mastering and capturing \u201cthe look\u201d<\/em>. Now on a mission to implement positive change in society \u2013 The Polo Godfather embodies the spirit of the people, the spirit of constant elevation, upliftment, and revolution for the better. As a result of his vision in creating the Lo-Life BBQ<\/em> along with his wife Sheena in 2006, the Lo-Culture<\/em> was born and remains influential internationally. Rack-Lo\u2019s business acumen continues to blossom and soar as he stirs the culture creatively in the following areas: merchandising (RL Jewelry),<\/em> event coordination, clothing brand (Lo-Life Heritage)<\/em>, producing and documenting the culture and constantly cultivating and book writing as a published author.\u00a0 With several books penned ready for future release, look for Rack-Lo\u2019s current book \u201cLo-Life: An American Classic\u201d<\/em> currently available at all digital platforms and brick and mortar outlets distributed by Penguin Random House.<\/em><\/p>\n

Known for uniting two of the world\u2019s most famous Polo crews St. John\u2019s Posse (SJP) <\/em>& Marcus Garvey Village(MGV)<\/em> <\/strong>resulting in global Polo dominance of style, Rack-Lo formed a network of Youth around America and abroad trading and repurposing rare and exclusive items from each Polo collection.\u00a0 Rack-Lo\u2019s motto is \u201cThe Lo Don\u2019t Make The Man\u201d, The Man Make The Lo\u201d<\/em> signifying that the true value resides in the person (wearer)<\/em> who endorses quality and style.\u00a0 He literally began collecting and styling himself in strictly Ralph Lauren garments since the age of fourteen.\u00a0Rack-Lo pioneered many different fashion styles with heavy emphasis on the Lo-Life famous dress code: “Lo Down”<\/em>which means wearing Polo from the crown of your head to the soles of your feet.\u00a0 Not only did this spawn a new chapter in the life of Polo-brand interest, but it practically changed Hip Hop fashion culture forever.<\/p>\n

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Lo-Lifes \u2013 Vintage Brooklyn, NY<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

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LAUNCHING CRAFTPALOOZA<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

The year is 2022, street fashion icon \u2013 Rack-Lo embarks upon a new venture in Brooklyn, New York.\u00a0 He is poised to curate the CraftPalooza fashion show simply called \u201cLIFE\u201d<\/u>.\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>As you fashion enthusiasts may know, New York City is the fashion epicenter of America.\u00a0 Boasting an entire avenue (Fashion Avenue)<\/em> and adjacent sections dedicated to the Garment District, the Lo-Lifes have proven to be some of the most influential fashion figures during the 80\u2019s, 90\u2019s and 2000\u2019s.<\/p>\n

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FASHION WITH A PURPOSE<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Dewry DuRoi Bradford – <\/em><\/strong>CraftPalooza founder said, \u201cIt is important to show the current generation a bird\u2019s eye view of how creative arts not only influences fashion & music culture, but it also acts as a defining timeline for 4-seasons of life.\u00a0 Through fashion we will take the audience throughout the course of a person\u2019s life\u2026 from beginning to end.\u201d\u00a0 Dewry DuRoi sat with co-executive producer Kirk Innis<\/em><\/strong> to create the launch of what will be an annual event in Brooklyn, New York called Craftpalooza.\u00a0 This platform commemorates the golden era of Hip Hop by paying homage to the pioneer street-artists procured by UnderHill Walls<\/em><\/strong> and pioneer street-stylists of the 80\u2019s & 90\u2019s \u2013 the Lo-Lifes<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Kirk\u2019s motto is: \u201cCreativity begins with a though.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 He \u00a0stressed the fact that his street-family (the Lo-Lifes) <\/em>would be a great way to represent Brooklyn, New York in an authentic manner.\u00a0 He then brought Rack-Lo<\/em> and Prance-Lo<\/em><\/strong> to the table and began forming the flow of show, which will take the audience on a journey throughout a New Yorker\u2019s life.\u00a0 Dewry DuRoi states, \u201cWe will begin with Ralph Lauren streetwear<\/em><\/strong>; then move into Ralph Lauren collegiate apparel<\/em><\/strong>; after that, Ralph Lauren corporate attire<\/em><\/strong>; finally, Ralph Lauren successful entrepreneur garments<\/em><\/strong>.\u00a0 It is important to show our Youth the importance of living a full life.\u00a0 They will get to see that a human was meant to be young, then go off to higher education to learn trade and concepts.\u00a0 After that, apply all training to corporate life… being responsible citizens and earners for their family.\u00a0 Finally, taking their experiences to launch a brand, product or provide a service as a successful creative in society. \u00a0According to Matthias Meyer<\/em>, \u201dRalph Lauren consumers tend to be in the upper-middle-class to upper class range. These social classes tend to have the most disposable income to spend on clothing and other higher priced Ralph Lauren products, and, therefore, they shop more frequently than others.\u201d<\/p>\n

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(left to right) Thirstin Howl III Lo-Life General; Prance-Lo; Kirk Innis \u2013 CraftPalooza Executive Producer; Dewry DuRoi Bradford \u2013 CraftPalooza Founder<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Dewry DuRoi adds, “I believe that Ralph\u2019s original plan was to create a brand that represents individuals who\u2019ve achieved the American Dream<\/em>\u2026 and what we will do on October 22nd<\/sup> will showcase just that.\u00a0 One begins as a novice, learns, works hard and then becomes successful.\u00a0 That\u2019s exactly what we should all be striving for.\u201d<\/p>\n

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EVENT DETAILS<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

CraftPalooza is set to launch on Saturday, October 22, 2022, from 4pm \u2013 11pm<\/em> at the Tillary Hotel Ballroom<\/em><\/strong> located @ 85 Flatbush Avenue Extension – Brooklyn, NY 11201.\u00a0 With a host of over 30-top street artists, models, and performers, it promises to be an authentic, nostalgic Brooklyn experience for the whole family.<\/p>\n

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CRAFTPALOOZA VIDEO PROMO<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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