Photography by Jim Marshall
Collection Gift Guide: Superstar Style
December 1, 2004
ROCK RARITIES
When the Rolling Stones kicked off their 40 Licks tour in
2002, their iconic lip logo not only reemerged as a symbol of their everlasting appeal, but became a coveted symbol of retro cool as well. Blurring fashion boundaries, younger generations eager to own a piece of rock couture did the unthinkable and
rifled through their parents’ closets searching for something chic. “We’re
definitely popular with the young buyers, but there is also a large number of older ones
who can remember being at these concerts 20 or 30 years ago and want to wear a
piece of the nostalgia,” says Scott Ellingboe of Wolfgang’s Vault, one of the
premier Internet retailers of authentic and reproduced concert tees and sweatshirts. “Bill Graham, who was born Wolfgang Grajonca, had the foresight to keep and preserve memorabilia from every concert he promoted. We bought the collection
a few years ago and have been dealing in the sales and reproductions of the
items ever since.” In addition to clothing, Wolfgang’s Vault also has first-print posters depicting everything from Miles Davis to the Yardbirds, as well as stickers, ticket stubs, and original photography.
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While mainstream retail chains have been pouncing on the trend with their attempts to re-create and reproduce the shirts, there’s nothing like the real thing. However, there is little joy in sorting through piles of mothball-infused tees only to be rewarded with something hopelessly stained and faded beyond recognition. “Our warehouse features over 10,000 pieces of authentic clothing in great condition that we’ve uploaded detailed images of on our web site,” says Victor Petrucci, owner of Monster Vintage, an easy-to-navigate Internet purveyor of authentic vintage merchandise, ranging from rock shirts to Eskimo fur jackets. “We have nearly 1,000 pieces of vintage rock apparel–we’re constantly photographing and uploading more items online,” Petrucci says. “The rarest concert shirts are so popular that people will spend upwards of $1,000 even if they’re ripped or have stains on them, just to put them on display. It’s a total status symbol.”
Top photo:
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For most, the attraction to vintage lies in the fact that the items are superrare and oftentimes one of a kind. However, there are also others who simply see it as “used.” Those in the latter group will be thankful for Rock and Republic. “The look of vintage rock tee shirts and denim is great, but they aren’t for everyone,” says Michael Ball, owner and designer of Rock and Republic, whose collection is a tribute to the iconic styles of classic rock. “Fabrics and lines have changed so much throughout the years that certain items don’t always have the contemporary fit that a lot of people ultimately prefer.” Even rock stars themselves have been known to indulge. “The ultimate thrill was seeing Ronnie Woods wearing our pants,” says Ball. “Nothing says rock and roll like the Stones.”
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Monster Vintage, 503.780.6316, www.monstervintage.com
Rock and Republic, www.rockandrepublic.com
Wolfgang’s Vault, www.wolfgangsvault.com
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