Unsure where to post this.

[allopathicholistic]

(posting "just because"  )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Od6Tjwgs_AM

So Tim Gunn says in this video AIDS nearly ruined the fashion industry in the 1980s. Does the fashionista speak the truth? As a child in the 1970s I was in an expected post-Garanimals phase and in the 80s I viewed fashion as thriving and vibrant. In other words I had no point of reference since I was born in the 70s.

[red_Dragon888]

I heard there was a lot of up and comers who died in there prime.  The industry may have survived but those who could have made a difference were not there.

[skeebo1969]

  Alex, perhaps he has a point.  See below


 

[allopathicholistic]

LOL Tom. my brother (he was about 13, I was about 8 ) said he'd never speak to me again if he found out I owned Underoos or asked for Underoos. But he should've  known our frugal mom and dad would deem it absurd to pay more for fancy underwear. plain white (and cheap  ) or they ain't buyin'

I heard there was a lot of up and comers who died in there prime.  The industry may have survived but those who could have made a difference were not there.

oh. makes sense so I guess that's what he meant.

[Miss Philicia]

Yeah, there were a lot of deaths in that industry -- isn't that a non-brainer?  The US fashion industry is centered on Manhattan, and that was the epicenter of AIDS in the US (shared with San Francisco but of course that city is much smaller than NYC).

Just off hand I can recall what a huge deal it was in the business when designer Willi Smith passed away in 1987.  He was only in his late 30's and one of the biggest name in fashion, and assuredly by far the largest of that younger generation.  Also one of the biggest models in fashion, Gia Carangi, died just before Smith -- both of them were from Philadelphia.  Perry Ellis died around that time -- another huge name.  Patrick Kelly too.

Oh -- how could I forget.  HALSTON... biggest name of them all.

Those are just the large names that I can think of, but hardly the point.  If you've moved in those circles you quickly realize that all of the lesser levels of the business are largely staffed by gay men, so there were assuredly huge parts of the entire business greatly effected.  It's much like Broadway in that respect.

I'm sure it was the same in the other huge fashion cities -- Milan, Paris and London.

[Oceanbeach]

I had my own style in the 80's much like was seen in the video.  I called it "Mendocino Chic" although a lot of pieces were picked up from specialty stores near campus at Humboldt State.  Being a student, I also shopped at International Male (by mail) and returned nearly everything because they automatically sent a voucher with a higher purchase price than the original items.

There was a shop in Eureka where I went with my friends to try on clothes.  They featured unused dress items from the 20's and the 30's.  We were the "fashion trendsetters" of HSU.     Have the best day
Michael