LO LIFE is famous as a collector's group of a certain polo brand, familiar with the horse riding mark, and items from a certain era, which are especially popular as collectors' items, were originally created by LO LIFE's style advocacy. This time, Lac Lo, an original member of LO LIFE, visited Japan for the first time. With the support of "THE APARTMENT," a select store in Kichijoji that has been in contact with LO LIFE and is now attracting attention from abroad, a pop-up store was held at "UNFOLLOW" in Shibuya as a triple collaboration. Not wanting to miss this rare opportunity, we visited LAC LAW to talk about LO LIFE once again.
He is one of the founders of "LO LIFE," a delinquent group born in Brooklyn, NY. He loves American polo brands, and his "LO Down" style, in which the entire body is dressed up in these brands, has had a great influence on street fashion. He is a legend of the street who still has many followers today.
First of all, how and when did LO LIFE start?
Rack LawLO LIFE started in 1988 in Brooklyn, NY. Marcus Garvey, based in Brownsville, and SJP, based in Crown Heights, two different polo brand wearing crews came together and became a force to be reckoned with. From there, they began to survive in the New York Hip Hop scene along with fashion. And now it's spreading all over the world.
How many members were there then?
Rack LawWe started out with 20-25 members in Brooklyn alone, and then expanded to New Jersey, Philadelphia, Connecticut, Boston, etc., and now we have over 1,000 members. We have over a thousand members now.
What kind of activities have you done so far?
Rack LawIt's more like I've been surviving. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, and of course we didn't have a lot of money because the economy wasn't great at the time. My parents didn't go to college and they didn't have big jobs. So we had to approach fashion in our own way. We had to get it somehow. Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Saks Fifth Avenue, all the major department stores carried polo, so we would get it there and bring it back to Brooklyn. We would get them there and bring them back to Brooklyn. By wearing these items in a fresh way, and by adding a lot of color, people started to pay attention to us. That attention grew and grew, and here we are. So it's more like we've been surviving than being active.
Are there any memorable events related to LO LIFE?
Rack LawThere are many (laughs). But if I had to choose one of the most memorable moments, it would be the coming together of the two crews as LO LIFE. Because they lived in Brownsville, Brooklyn, and they lived in Crown Heights, and they sometimes clashed, and there was trouble. But by eliminating those conflicts and becoming one family, we were able to move this movement forward. Also, the most memorable thing for me personally was getting a sweatshirt with this big flag design in 1987. It was at Saks Fifth Avenue. That was one of the first ones for me, over 30 years ago.
Why did the brand attract you so much?
Rack LawWhy? It's the look. The bright colors really stood out on the streets. We established the style by parading around New York City wearing the bright colors all over our bodies. Now everyone from kids to grandparents are wearing this brand, but until LO LIFE came along, no one had head-to-toe fashion. At the same time, Hip Hop is an inseparable part of LO LIFE's culture. Because we are all artists. Hip Hop is definitely a very important part of LO LIFE.
How large a collection do you have?
Rack LawI have over 1000 items. My collection is only polo among the various brands in a certain company. I also collect Guess, Nautica, Gucci, Ferragamo, and others, so I have a very broad collection. But it all started with this brand. My tastes change from time to time, of course.
How did you establish your style of using polo all over your body?
Rack LawWhen we started, there was no one else in Brooklyn with that style, so we got a lot of attention. And from there, we just kept doing it. We created a style with iconic designs and colors, red, yellow, and blue, which are the three basic colors for the brand. Even if you're mixing different brands, you can still make a big impact by bringing it all together in those basic colors. The "LO down" look was a dress code, so to speak, and you could tell if a guy was a member of LO LIFE or not by the way he was dressed. It was a way to distinguish himself from other gangs and fashion crews.
What do you think about the recent movement by brands to reprint past masterpieces?
Rack LawI think it's a great thing, especially for young kids who didn't have access to items back then. Especially for young kids who didn't have access to the items back then. Now that they are being reissued, young kids can pick up these classic pieces if they have the money. I think it's good that the market is more open.
Do you still collect polo items?
Rack LawOf course. I think I'll keep doing it for the rest of my life. It won't change. Right now I'm enjoying getting classic pieces from '88 to '97 or so. Our kids have been wearing them since they were born and it's always been that way. The clothes are waiting for them.
Where do you often get those old items?
Rack LawA lot of the other LO LIFE members have all grown up and worn larger, but my size hasn't changed since I was a teenager, to the point that I still have clothes from when I was 15 in my closet. So it's easy for me to find things that fit me. I often look for vintage items on eBay, and sometimes on Instagram. There is also "THE APARTMENT" run by Taka (Ohashi) in Japan, and it is important to network with other collectors. People who understand street manners know each other well. They know what's really hot right now. If you really want something, and you are looking for it, you will be able to get it. If you know how to look for it.
What is the purpose of this LO LIFE JAPAN?
Rack LawThe reason is to carry on the legacy that LO LIFE has built in Japan. There are many people in Japan, including Taka (Takahiro Ohashi, owner of THE APARTMENT), who understand and spread LO LIFE. I wanted to tell them where we came from, what our background is, and to convey the vibes of Hip Hop to them.
What do you think of the people who support and follow LO LIFE?
Rack LawIt's a huge thank you and it's a very wonderful thing. It means that each and every one of us is trying to contribute to the culture. It doesn't matter where you come from, LO LIFE is not about gender or race. It's all about love and loyalty. As long as you have that, everyone is welcome. The more we unite, the more we can develop this culture. LO LIFE is open to everyone.
What do you think of THE APRTMENT?
Rack LawI think it's really great. I think they are a great team from a fashion point of view. They are also taking the culture and history of LO LIFE that started in Brooklyn and bringing it to Japan, and building it up in their own style. I have a lot of love and respect for Taka. I even feel like he is the link between New York and Japan.
When and how did you meet Mr. Ohashi?
Mr. Ohashi in attendance.The first one was at the Herald Square park in Manhattan in 2014.
Rack LawYes, that's right. Then we started interacting with each other on Instagram, and we started seeing each other when Taka would come to NYC.
What was your impression of UNFOLLOW, the location of this pop-up store?
Rack LawIt's dope. The vibes are good, and Hip Hop was playing in the background music. The items they carry are good too. It seems to be a popular store in Japan, and I hope they get a lot of customers (laughs).
How do you see the situation of LO LIFE in Japan?
Rack LawWe have the LO LIFE Japan team. We have Dak Lo, John Ichiro, Yogo Lo, Taka, and Yasu, and they all have their own originality. I feel this when I see how Japanese Lo heads dress on Instagram. They don't just dress like Brooklyn's Lo Life. There's always a Japanese-ness to it. I don't dress like Thirstin Howl the 3rd (note: popular rapper who is also a member of LO LIFE). His style is his own. I have my own style. Style is different from mere fashion.
PHOTO TEE ¥5,800＋TAX, LOGO TEE (BACK PRINT) ¥5,800＋TAX
cap ¥5,800+tax, polo ¥12,000+tax, tee ¥8,000+tax
Please tell us about the items that you and "Stabridge" produced for this pop-up store.
Rack LawIt's great because it's designed to symbolize the "love and loyalty" that we value so much, while also understanding the history of LO LIFE. The photo on the tee is from the 80's, when I was 13 or something. It shows how the kids started the movement. This item is for people who support LO LIFE as a culture, not just as a piece of clothing.
What do you think will happen to LO LIFE in the future?
Rack LawIt's going to get bigger. Definitely. We are planning a movie, a new book, more gigs, traveling around the world, and making LO LIFE a bigger unity. That is the biggest goal. Also, I think some people still don't understand what "love and loyalty" means. It's not just a word we came up with for the sake of designing clothes, it's a message to our family and our brothers and sisters, and it's a definite one.
UNFOLLOW
Based on the concept of "unfollow," the store focuses on up-and-coming brands from Japan and abroad that are growing and presenting new trends.
Address: BARCA Building, 5-25-4 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Phone: 03-3486-0906
Hours: 11:00 ~ 20:00
Closed: No regular holidays
INSTAGRAM:@unfollow.jp unfollow.jp/
