youth culture

The DRG Style Index: Ralph Lauren, Prada X Adidas, Keith Haring



Here’s the latest DRG STYLE INDEX ranking, a round-up of the brands and industry stories currently buzzing on my radar…


RALPH LAUREN IS NICE

Ralph Lauren HBO documentary
In the 20-teens you’re no one if you haven’t had a documentary made about you. The Ralph Lauren story, Very Ralph, airs on HBO this Tuesday, but according to the NYT it’s as saccharine as a Polo ad campaign. In response to the lack of scandalous ‘tea’, Ralph said, “Can people believe there might be people out there who might be honorable? They can’t believe it. They won’t be happy unless they find out that I’m a killer or I did something bad.” (more…)



Hugh Holland: Silver. Skate. Seventies.



Hugh Holland Silver Skate Seventies The Concrete Swell - VIper Bowl Hollywood CA 1976

If you love Hugh Holland’s cult Locals Only book, here’s a new Hugh Holland book (and exhibition) of never-before-seen black and white skater-in-action photos to help you beat the autumn blues.

Documenting the early Southern California skateboard scene of the 70s, ‘Silver. Skate. Seventies‘ really encapsulates the wild spirit of the early youth tribe – and for me sums up why it’s still such a seductive culture today. (more…)



New Order: Art, Product, Image 1976-1995 at Sprüth Magers



New Order: Art, Product, Image 1976-1995 at Spruth Magers

Wait, Another New Order post punk flavoured exhibition? Wow London, you’re really spoiling me!

Preceding the Chelsea College of Arts ‘Use Hearing Protection: FAC 1 – 50 / 40‘ exhibition curated by Jon Savage and Mat Bancroft (I wrote about it here), there’s a Sprüth Magers show on right now that ends on September 14th.

New Order: Art, Product, Image 1976-1985 explores the post punk and beyond years of British art, music and design. (more…)



On eco-activism, who made your clothes and the third summer of love



Jim Marshall Photography

Are we about to enter the third Summer of Love? All the ingredients seem ripe for the mix; a groundswell of political activism, the legalise weed campaign, plus an overarching peace-n-love vibe from the youth contingent. The last week in London has seen peace protest camps from Extinction Rebellion plot up in Westminster, Oxford Circus and Marble Arch, increasing eco-activism and awareness globally.

When I went to visit the Marble Arch camp on Saturday, it happened to be the same day as the 420 rally, with blazing sunshine, a carefree Glasto vibe and the distinct whiff of weed wafting across from Hyde Park. As with the recent anti-Brexit march, DJs and musicians lent their support to a rotating sound system so the likes of Massive Attack could show solitary to the cause. It was all rather groovy. (more…)