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Lo-Life: When New York City gangs fighting for survival dressed in Ralph Lauren

Lo-Life: An American Classic is a photographic series that takes you 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 neglected Brownsville and Crown Heights neighbourhoods of Brooklyn, they made a name for themselves by dressing head-to-toe in expensive Ralph Lauren clothing, or “Lo.”

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Two young men in red, white and navy Ralph Lauren Polo sportswear stand in front of a large Polo shield logo with red and white stripes

Polo apparel—and other preppy '80s fashion labels like Guess, Nautica, and Benetton, among others—represented an aspirational lifestyle for these kids from rough areas 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 organised around clean designs and bright colours, became a devotion to a lifestyle brand, and eventually created an association between the streets and luxury that would fundamentally change the fashion industry.

The series is now available as a book – Lo-Life: An American Classic is by George "Rack-Lo" Billips and Jackson Blount, and published by powerHouse Books. It 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. Pre-order a copy of the book, via powerHouse.

Via Creative Boom submission | All images courtesy of powerHouse Books

Two young men wearing Ralph Lauren and other designer sportswear pose against a red backdrop, one in red and navy, the other in white and navy with a white cap
Five young men in 1980s clothing posed together on a rooftop with a city skyline in the background, wearing bright Ralph Lauren and other designer pieces
Man in Polo Ralph Lauren windbreaker and red cap posing next to two hanging Ralph Lauren sweaters featuring the brand's Polo player logo and American flag motifs
Person wearing oversized Ralph Lauren Polo garments in red, black and white lies on a bed surrounded by more Polo branded clothing items
A young man balances on a skateboard with one arm outstretched on a Brooklyn street, wearing Ralph Lauren and plaid shirt, surrounded by parked cars and pedestrians in the 1980s
A person wearing a white baseball cap and white jacket over a blue Ralph Lauren shirt sits posed against a wardrobe backdrop featuring a yellow, red and navy colour-blocked polo shirt
Group of Lo-Life members wearing red and white Ralph Lauren Polo jackets and branded caps posing together indoors, circa early 1980s
Four young men in black jackets and Ralph Lauren polo wear stand inside a bus with yellow overhead lighting
Group of young men in 90s-style clothing posing in front of a blue billboard reading "The Whole 9 Yards
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