A-list snazzlefraggin PW 2.27.08. The O-Bomb? » february 27, 2008 — wednesday
Regina Lee Blaszczyk
indie rock chicks + fugly Urban O shrugs
7pm. Free. Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St. 215.898.7595. upenn.bkstore.com
Dr. Regina Lee Blaszczyk’s new book Producing Fashion: Commerce, Culture and Consumers, is a collection of essays that breaks down the way style is manufactured by what she calls the ”global fashion system” of designers, government officials, retailers and marketing mavens. One essay traces Marlboro cigarettes from being a lady’s smoke into its hypermasculine cowboy heyday. Another follows Lycra’s journey from fusty girdles to cool gym wear. During the discussion after the signing, perhaps we can figure out exactly what went down a few seasons ago when all the indie rock chicks donned fugly Urban O shrugs. Or why the girls from Manayunk roam Target every Saturday in North Face jackets and bitched–up Uggs. Maybe it’s not just lemming–like herd psychosis after all. (Tara Murtha) 