John Varvatos: Rock in Fashion

Most boomers will agree that growing up, one of our greatest influences is music. After all, we grew up in the times of American Bandstand, The Beatles, The Stones, Janis Joplin, Joan Baez, Hullaballoo, and Peter, Paul and Mary, just to name a few. Consequently, music was an integral part of our everyday lives in some way, shape and form. Don’t forget, we were concert goers, listeners to radio, and watchers of television, and the music of your choice was almost as important as one’s drug of choice—if you were so inclined.

“From the soul/pop of Motown to such local rockers as the Stooges, MC5, Ted Nugent, Grand Funk Railroad, and Bob Seeger, and touring bands like the Who and led Zeppelin, the music enveloped me.”

John Varvatos’s music of choice was rock, not so much rock ’n’ roll but rock as exemplified by the likes of Iggy Pop, David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, the Ramones, and the Rolling Stones and spanning to present day stars such as Kings of Leon. What is mostly striking is that John Varvatos: Rock in Fashion is somewhat of a love letter to the music and its performers as well as being a cultural barometer of the times.

“I believe rock and roll is dangerous. We boys with our makeup and funny clothes . . . I feel we’re only heralding something even darker than ourselves.” —David Bowie

Mr. Varvatos grew up in Detroit which as the vast majority of music lovers and reader will know, was the home of the much ballyhooed Motown sound, and yet the future designer did not gravitate toward that genre of music but instead was enthralled with rock music and even more precisely, the sartorial appearance/aspect of these performers as well as their music itself.

John Varvatos: Rock in Fashion is a scrapbook, journal, diary, and a designer’s sketch book that records the progression and growth of rock, his constantly burgeoning interest in it, and his design ethic in relation to clothing. Consider the book a love letter to the performers' and music—some might say obsession, others might say overriding influence—that started during his childhood and still permeates his designs in the present.

The photography serves both visual and historical reference points that illustrate the designer’s evolution as well as the evolution of this category of music. The photos are chronologically presented, giving the viewer greater insight into the trends these performers spawned during their careers.

“Kiss dressed to kill. I’d love to photograph them wearing John Varvatos. What could be crazier than those personalities in my clothes?”

There is no question that Rock in Fashion can be appreciated on many levels and only one of them is from a fashion perspective. In many ways the book is an eye opener, a reminder that music has been a huge cultural influence on our everyday life, no matter what generation we hail from.

“Whether you love her or hate her, Lady Gaga has had a huge impact on our popular culture.”