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Video: A Disco Fashion Show In Park Slope, 1979
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Feb 25, 2012
Modified Feb 25, 2012
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published Feb 25, 2012
Modified Feb 25, 2012
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Contrary to the art produced by some bald, Jessica Simpson-dating musicians, 1979 wasn't about introspective cooing over looped samples. 1979 meant disco, and disco meant disco-appropriate duds. Our tipster passed along these videos of a fashion show in Park Slope in the summer of 1979 when the boogie was spreading like the plague. WARNING:before viewing, properly secure your computer and all loose objects to mitigate damage from your involuntary, violent, rhythmic pelvic thrusts.
The show appears to have gone down at Fifth Avenue and 9th Street, and one FIPS commenter notes that the boutique, Capry, was "a very popular and cool store! Good times, good beats."
Our favorite moments are when the emcee attempts to pump up the crowd ("If he doesn't look good, tell me what looks good! Come on up and tell me!") or pushes Rayon, "The most sophisticated fabric out there today." Also at the 2:50 mark, an intoxicated old man wants to get down with the kids but he's sadly lacking the right attire, and is led offstage.
As our tipster points out, by 1979 disco was inescapable in New York City. WKTU Disco 92 FM had risen from obscurity to unseat the #1 radio station in town, WABC, and was selling ads at the rate of $300 a minute (roughly $1,000 in 2012 dollars), according to New York Magazine. Here's a taste—and dig the ad for The Deer Hunter!
But by the end of 1979, America could no longer stomach a 24-hour boogie machine, and the genre died a quick, fiery death. Also, the DJ in the clip above, "Paco," would later go to jail for selling drugs, and Park Slope traded disco ball harmony for co-op warfare, and disco and the fashion that inspired it would never, ever be heard from again. Ever.
Tagged
1979
billy corgan
capry
disco
fashion
FIPS
park slope
smashing pumpkins
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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