The Lo Life Adventures of Rack-Lo by Rack-Lo

THE LO LIFE ADVENTURES OF

RACK-LO

LO-LIFE LOVE & LOYALT Y LO-LIFE LO-LIFE LOVE & LOYALT Y LO-LIFE LO-LIFE LOVE & LOYALT Y LO-LIFE

INTRODUCTION

5-8

HOW IT ALL STARTED

9-12

THE ORIGIN OF RACK-LO

13-14

BOOSTIN RACKIN UP

25 YEARS OF WEARING RALPH LAUREN

NEGATIVE TO POSITIVE

17-18

POLO GODFATHER

21-22

LO GOOSE ON THE DEUCE

23-28

LO LIFE POLO COUPLES

29-30

ST POLO DAY (POLO GREEN)

31-32

LO TRADE

33-35

POLO EASTER SUNDAY

37-40

FLY GUYS IN RALPH LAUREN LUXURY TIES

41-42

LO LIFE BBQ

43-46

STARS & STRIPES

47-50

BLOOMINGDALES RUSH

51-54

FALL 2010 RALPH LAUREN SHOOT

55-60

A NIGHT OF LO & LYRICS

61-66

POLO SPORT/RLX AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

67-70

A POLO DON THANKSGIVING

71-72

FRESH FLY RICH IN LO KNITS

73-76

CREDITS

Being adventurous and always being out and about on the move for me dates back to my childhood. Since I was a kid living in Crown heights Brooklyn on St Johns Place going places was something I always engaged in.

INTRODUCTION

Whether it was running with my childhood friends throughout the neighborhood causing mischief or operating pigeon coops on several roof tops to hustling as a kid to eventually attending daily missions - meeahh’s and boostin sprees daily, I truly lived the Adventurous Life. As a youngster coming up in the mean streets, I was forced to grow up quick and learn the tricks of the trade early. And through me learning the trade at an early age, it afforded me to see and experience things the average kids didn’t. For instance, while the average kid was probably worried about his or her «Atari» or «Nintendo» I was the opposite. For me, it was all about being in the streets making a way for myself. And with that came the lifestyle of «boostin» and being one of the flyest Lo Life’s in history. As a youngster, I remember clearly going to places such as; Staten Island Ferry, Rockefeller Center, Madison Square Garden, Jacob Javits Ctr, World Trade Ctr (prior to 911) and many other places throughout New York City. We hardly stayed in our own neighborhoods many of the times - we were adventurous. Sometimes our adventures even led us across state lines to places like; New Jersey, Philadelphia, Delaware, Connecticut, Boston, Albany New York etc. However, in those cases the trips were all related to money and acquiring the latest and greatest Polo Ralph Lauren wears as well as other major designers considered «high hip hop fashion». Fast Forwarding to the new millennium - my adventures continued on a social level as a «fashion pioneer and historian». As a innovator of the past and present, I ignited and created the idea of coordinating «Lo Life Culture» events based around «Love and Loyalty». As a founder who recognizes the latitude and depth of the lifestyle - who have visions of the Lo Life Lifestyle constantly growing through future generations, it was only necessary that I build a «social network» for all those who share the Lo Life Lifestyle.

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INTRODUCTION

For me, I view the Lo Life movement as a international «community» of people who share similar values and interests and ideals. So my purpose was to design a 12 month calendar of events roster where folks can continue to be apart of the movement. Many of the events are all ages events and includes; kids, teens, men, and women. I think by creating this sort of «event based network» keeps us all united and growing together. Just think about it like this - It’s like being apart of and/or affiliated with a fashion institution. It’s a movement. Some of our events that have gain great momentum and recognition and popularity are; Lo Goose On The Deuce (Annual Polo Goose Affair), Lo Life Polo BBQ (Annual), Polo Easter Sunday at Macy’s 34th Street (Annual), Fresh Fly Rich In Lo Knits (Polo Sweater Party), A Night Of Lo & Lyrics etc. Being original and always being connected to the people is something I thrive on and The Adventures of Rack-Lo further helps me accomplish that agenda. As a result of me building this fashion social network it has benefited people in many ways like; Building new friendships, job employment networking, family bonding, uniting people, education, vocation, travel etc. There are truly a lot of benefits for being affiliated with the Lo Life Family circuit. You just have to see it, believe it and achieve it! So all though the initial attraction is fashion and love and loyalty - other life concepts are touched and built upon as well. So it becomes more of a learning experience for the most part. And in some case for many - a teaching experience. And this is why I call them «life style events» because they embody the spirit of dealing with and enjoying life. The Adventures of Rack Lo!

• INTRODUCTION •

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How it all started

Before we became Lo-Life’s, officially we were known as two different crews.

The St John’s boosters were named RALPHIES KIDS and GET MONEY CREW, while the money takers from Marcus Garvey Village held down United Shoplifters Association (USA).

I was fortunate to have the chance to live in both places, and ended up being the middleman to both crews. However, before I reached the boostinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; stages, in 1980 I lived on St Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s between Rochester and Buffalo Place located in Crown Heights Brooklyn. This is the place where I started hanging on the streets and committing crimes. Some were petty and a lot were major hits, or at least we thought they were major at the time. One thing is for sureâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;they could have gotten us sent upstate to juvenile prison if we were caught.

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I was considered a «young buck» out there on the streets, making it happen.

For years, I had lived one block from St John’s and Utica, and then it was off to Brownsville, where I lived with my grandparents. This was the start of me uniting both boostin’ crews—my relocating from St John’s to Marcus Garvey Village at a very early age allowed me the opportunity.

The two main Polo crews, Ralphies Kids and United Shoplifters Association, would sometimes cross paths with curiosity about one another. It was the similar Polo attire and fashion styles that brought on the curiosity. The crews were dressing similar and seemed to have the same values and interests.

How it all started

Although they would see each other in the neighborhood or outside of the neighborhood, they never united on the boostin’ tip. There were even times when «plots» were made against each other, but it was never proven on either side. There may have been one or two occasions where they may have taken a photo together, but never attended a «meeahh» together. And this is where I came into play. This was the start of a new beginning. In 1988 we became Lo-Life’s officially, and sort of put the other crew titles to rest. Due to our daily motivations, the name just stuck and was a perfect fit. The so-called «Life of Lo,” i.e. wearing Ralph Lauren garments 95 percent of the time, automatically complemented our lifestyles and likes of fashion. But in other cases, the meaning of being a Lo-Life meant something different to other people. We also was seen in the light of being «low down and dirty» in every sense of the words. Being a Lo-Life goes beyond just the fashion and boostin elements. It’s something that we live, it’s something that’s in our hearts.

Even if I never wore Polo clothing again, I will still be a Lo-Life. It’s forever. It’s something that can’t be erased or taken away. Anything we did or engaged in, we gave a different and unique spin. We did things in a different look and in particular styles. We loved fashion and the street life so much that we risked our lives and our freedom just so we could express ourselves through the clothing accompanied with a corporate type of thinking. The Lo-Life’s revolutionized the fashion world just by being ourselves and contributing our own elements and likes into hip-hop culture. The ironic thing about it is that when we were out there causing chaos, we didn’t even know we were revolutionizing the fashion world and making fashion history. For us, it was just everyday life. Something we were forced to do as «a means of survival.» It was the thinking in this era of Brooklyn, NY that captivated us as kids and teenagers and young adults, and in turn, the lifestyle has spread like wildfire.

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THE EARLY DAYS 1980’

The Origin Of Rack-Lo Acquiring the name Rack-Lo was no easy task. I basically started developing the name in the early 1980’s.

What’s so amazing about it is that my name coincides with my lifestyle and my persona. There’s even a definition to my name. Rack-Lo means to rack up, to steal, to take without permission. And that’s really where the name derives from. My name comes right out of hip-hop culture. Hip-hop culture had a big influence on me and my upbringing. So pretty much Rack-Lo The Lo-Life was born in the golden era of hip-hop.

At first it was just Rack, and then years later the “Lo” was thrown in the because of my Lo-Life affiliation. Furthermore, the “Lo” also expressed obsession with Polo—my fascination for staying Polo down head to My fascination with being one of the world’s most flyest boosters with street cred, hip-hop history, and appeal.

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mix my toe. and

THE EARLY DAYS 1980’

Boosting : Rackin’ Up I represented my name to the fullest degree. When we would go rackin’, I always racked up a large amount of goods. Even in terms of my wardrobe, I kept and maintained a large collection of Polo clothing, accessories, bathrobes etc. I was one of those Lo-Life’s who had the most Polo. I collected heavy, and there were others who did the same thing. We pretty much competed with each other to see who could collect the most Polo. And I must say people recognized me for that. Damn I had sticky fingers. I was swift, very fast, very accurate and precise. I was so clever that I was able to steal from you in a blink of an eye. I stayed dipped in the latest Polo fashion. I stayed flossing, flaming, and flashing. As I stated in one of my songs: “I’m A Lo-Life For Life.” The Lo-Life lives in me and is a part of who I am. It’s a part of my character. It was a part of my everyday life. I lived it daily. I reigned supreme in my era of taking money. In Marcus Garvey Village and on St. Johns and Utica, where the Lo-Life epidemic first began, new school boosters and old school boosters knew of Rack-Lo, and I most definitely was knowledgeable of their histories in this Polo dynasty. My pedigree was getting money how Rack-Lo gets it. I elevated my game status daily. I always stayed at the top of the line. I was one of the best boosters, so I was associated with the best in the profession—many of them were Lo-Life’s.

The Polo Godfather Rack-Lo (25 Years Of Wearing Ralph Lauren)

Also referred to as the Polo Godfather emerging on the Polo RL scene in 1986, I literally began collecting and styling myself in strictly Ralph Lauren garments at age 14. From the streets of Brooklyn, NY, I have pioneered many different fashion styles with heavy emphasis on the Lo-Life famous dress code: «Lo Down» Polo everything. I’ve also furthered the legacy with continuous work ethic in music, performing, writing, jewelry design, clothing design, event coordination, and more. I’m the catalyst in uniting two of the world’s most famous Polo crews (SJP) and (MGV) respectively, resulting in global Polo Ralph Lauren dominance of style. Wearing Polo Ralph Lauren garments always gave me a sense of accomplishment and success while realizing and pursuing my dreams living in the inner city. Throughout the years I have managed to continue my reign in the fashion world, influencing many fashion minds and globally inspiring hundreds and thousands of people to also wear, style, and collect Polo Ralph Lauren. This has visibly become a Polo Ralph Lauren lifestyle «conglomerate» that crosses all ethnicity’s, ages and financial brackets. As the saying goes, wearing Polo Ralph Lauren clothing is more of a lifestyle. As a Polo RL connoisseur, I live the life that Ralph Lauren first aspired to reach, as it relates to the clothing. I dress the part and view the clothing as a resource that enables me to further my cause and mission in all walks of life, all stemming from philantrophy and community activism. As a vintage Polo RL collector, many of my favorite Polo Ralph Lauren symbols remain to be those of the 1980s and 1990s, considered timeless fashion artifacts.

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Making Transition From Negative To Positive Serving as a straight innovator in the lifestyle and culture throughout NYC’s tri-state area and beyond, my portfolio continues to grow. I seem to undoubtedly find new and entertaining avenues to keep the fuse lit for generations to come. My outlook is to combine fashion, business, education, socialism, drive, consistency, and vision with a keen focus on community involvement and youth advocacy to obtain my idea of the «American Dream». Growing up from teenager to adulthood while living the life of Ralph Lauren clothing ideals and creating and carving out my own niche continues to be a fantastic and life-changing journey.

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VINTAGE COLLECTOR, PHILANTHROPIST, ARTIST, DESIGNER, STYLIST, AUTHOR, ENTREPRENEUR

Polo Godfather My concept of being the Polo GodFather is a testament of my reputation and credibility - I’m A Certified Leader. A leader who takes nothing for granted and serves as many things to many different people. My idea of the Polo Godfather is of course me reaching the ultimate level in the fashion game. But I like to look at it more intensely - because it means so much more to me. From the sound of it, it may seem like it’s all about fashion and clothing, but no The Polo Godfather is much deeper than that. As the Polo Godfather I advocate for many agendas as it relates to; Education, Socialism, Politics, History, Entreprenurialism, Self Investment, Family and the list goes on. Fashion is just 1 element of my life and I enjoy it. And fashion is always relevant in my life even during my worldly focus on prevalent issues that affect the community and people. So I truly became The Polo Godfather because I embody the spirit of the people. I embody the spirit of constant revolution and upliftment and change for the better. And I embody the spirit of originality and having the ability to transition from «negative to positive» with no regrets. When it comes to actually being in the trenches (streets) and putting in work I was more than just there, I engineered the movement. Prior to 1988, I had already been active in street life. I had already learned many tricks to the trade before Lo Life’s even existed. My name Rack-Lo is legendary and everything is the truth. It’s one thing to brag and boast about one’s self, but to be documented in history as well as have official true to life people who can vouch for you is another. And as the Polo Godfather - I WAS THERE. I was there from day one paying dues and turning up on many different levels. Whether it was running the streets at a young age to acquiring my College degree to working with thousands of disadvantaged New York City youth (Social Worker) - I made a difference. I made a positive difference in the lives of others.

I was there from day one being an inspiration to many. I made a difference in my own life. I was there from day one and grew into a man where the game of life called for me to strategize differently hence, my willingness to change. Starting out as a young teenager living the life to progressing to adulthood - my contributions to the culture have been in abundance. One of my strongest points as the Polo GodFather is my ability to unite and mobilize people of all ages. I have always had a knack for bringing people together for a common cause getting the job done. Rising in the ranks to reach Polo GodFather status wasn’t easy, but for Rack-Lo «I was born with it». I was born into this world with a purpose. And I know in my heart - I’m here to make the world a little better. And I plan to use all of the gifts and blessings God bestowed upon me to do so. My Polo GodFather mind set was always a part of me as I think about it. Even during my boostin escapades, I was a leader. I was a trendsetter. I was looked up to by many individuals. And I always had their best interests at heart. I was the Organizer. I developed a network and conglomerate that’s untouchable. The Polo Godfather is not a selfish person. The Polo Godfather is about the people - inclusion for all (man, women and child). And this idea is a straight reflection of «The Lo Life Adventures of Rack-Lo». SaLLute!

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Lo Goose On The Deuce Flashback 1988-1989, Lo-Life’s invade 42nd Street and Broadway (better known as The Deuce) on Friday and Saturday nights—a saga I coined «Weekend Madness.” Whether it was wearing the latest and greatest in Polo Ralph Lauren wears, posing for timeless fashion photos, rapping to girls, drinking 40 ounces, taking money, meeting new people, viewing new movies at the theaters, partying and/or celebrating, we did it on The Deuce. And 75 percent of the time, we wore Polo gooses in different styles.

For the Lo-Lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, The Deuce was primarily our stomping grounds, it was a hip-hop/street experience. I remember hanging out on The Deuce as a teenager and around the corner there were two nightclubs that we would also attend, Midtown 43 and California Club. We have some great memories of these venues and theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re definitely entrenched in Lo-Life history banks.

Back in the 1980’s and 1990’s, The Deuce was the place to be for people all over the city. The Deuce just attracted people not only in the city, but tourists and foreigners as well. Everybody wanted to be there, especially hood folks. It was just captivating—the big bright lights, movie theaters, constant traffic, many places to eat, the photographers, different cultures of people, being in Manhattan, shopping stores, Broadway plays, the easy access from all five boroughs, etc.

The atmosphere of The Deuce made me feel successful, it made me feel as if I was a part of the world, it made me feel alive and motivated, it inspired me to reach for the stars. It just put that spark in me and further solidified the term «Life Is What You Make It.» And for me, history was made in the «City That Never Sleeps.»

Reliving, revisiting, and reviving the past to strengthen the future, capturing the original Lo-Life nostalgia is the focal point for Lo Goose On Deuce 2K. Another brainchild of mine created in 2010, the theme is simple: wear your Polo coat or goose no matter the era, as long as it’s designed by Ralph Lauren. Since the inception, I have witnessed thousands of participants wear Polo gooses along with other RL lines. As the event gained momentum we decided to incorporate two fashion battles—Polo Ralph Lauren «Best Dressed» and «Best Polo Goose.” It’s just a great sight to see. And a great feeling to enable people from various backgrounds (i.e. African American, Asian, Latino, Anglo-Saxon, Indian, and Caribbean) influence to unite for a common cause with similar interests and values. Although outdoors, many people tend to find their way to this annual event. In the past I’ve seen folks from the tri-state area and even further, such as Rhode Island, Boston, Virginia, California, Japan, Spain, France, and London. Lo Goose On The Deuce is an event for the masses, and it’s the first event of the year (January) on our annual calendar of events. It sets the tone for all other events to follow and we always try to keep the standards and turnouts bigger and better each year. Continuing to carry the torch and keep the flames lit, events such as this bridge the gap of generational fashionistas and fashion Gods. It allows for the newer generation to experience the origin of the lifestyle and its various elements and chapters, but also to meet and break bread with the founders and architects of the movement. We have literally been traveling this course and setting new trends for 20 plus years in the fashion world. A movement that’s highly recognized, worshipped, and revered with no intent on slowing down. And as the founder of such an event, I’m proud to say that the Lo-Life legacy continues to be unmatched. It continues to be a movement for the people, to further benefit people, and change circumstances for the better.

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LO GOOSE ON THE DEUCE •

• LO GOOSE ON THE DEUCE •

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Lo Life Polo Couples

Welcome to the newest wave in the culture and lifestyle - LO LIFE POLO COUPLES (LLPC) This theme is all about couples coming together who live that Ralph Lauren life repping Double L. I look at it more like a LODGE or fraternity where as it’s a ‘Members Only’ policy. The purpose is to ignite and strengthen bonds, share views, travel, network, have dinner nights, and build from a couples perspective—all while being fashion forward and legendary on the Lo tip. I think the entire concept epitomizes the saying «1 L Means Nothing Without The Other» and the well utilized saying «Behind Every Great Man Is A Great Woman».

Furthermore, it just illustrates that true love still does exist and serves as examples of togetherness, unity, longevity, happiness, family, friendships, and much more. A new fashion vehicle that caters to couples, but definitely inspires many. It’s also related to the Lo Wife concept and having a counterpart that make y’all a couple—in other words, having a lady by your side. Having a Lo Wife dates back to the beginning times of the Lo Life epidemic. As Lo Life’s, we looked at our counterparts (ladies) as being up to our standards as far as the fashion element is concerned, and just representing the life of Lo from a women’s perspective. However, it’s much deeper than just the clothes. The Lo Life Polo couples first trip we embarked on was to Atlantic City where we intended to have an extremely great time. Our time in Atlantic City was filled with fun that consisted of: a luxury living suite, sight-seeing, light gambling at the casino, dining out, shopping, partying, and etc. FRIDAY As we first touched down in AC we took the night light as we unpacked and then went to a restaurant to have dinner. We decided to head back to the suite since we had a very busy day ahead of us the next day. So after all of that on Friday, traveling and unpacking and dinner, we caught some Z’s.

SATURDAY This was our big day and we all got

up early. First, we had a very good breakfast. After, we headed to Atlantic City’s infamous boardwalk where we snapped photos and enjoyed the fantastic atmosphere. Next we stopped at a few casinos, which was very fun. Once we got a taste of the casino gambling life, we proceeded to check out some of the retail stores in the area. The outlet was filled with many different vintage and modern day brands and our favorite Ralph Lauren. At the Polo store we did some browsing and purchased some items that were attractive to us. Later on we drove back to the hotel and got some rest in preparation of our evening activities. The evening consisted of dinner and a party. We enjoyed dinner at P.F Chang’s and partied a little at one of AC’s popular night clubs. Overall, we had a terrific time, escaped the city for the weekend, enjoyed good times with good people, and definitely became inspired by the entire trip and ordeal. Look for many more LLPC outings in the future in the name of Love and Loyalty.

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St Polo Day (Polo Green)

Continuing our fashion dominance and legacy through lifestyle and culture, on March 16th we took to Juniors Restaurant (Brooklyn, NY) where we held our 1st Annual St. Polo Dayâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Polo Green Affair.

Celebrating the St. Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day spirit in New York City, we created a new fashion holiday now instituted as St. Polo Day amongst all those that share similar lifestyles around the globe.

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For us, this was a very special and historical day in Lo Life history. We had set out to make this event twofold: to institute a new annual event (St. Polo Day), Polo Green, to be continued every year going forward, and we wanted to officially say goodbye to Junior’s, a great Brooklyn landmark and eatery. And of course a third objective was met as history was made in another Lo Life chapter of original flyness for the world to see. Taking in all of the excitement based around St. Patrick’s Day, we contributed to the Irish holiday from our perspective in a major fashion way. We pretty much applied the color green to what we do everyday and that’s to get fresh, fly, and flee.The event started with us all gathering in front of Junior’s awaiting other Lo brothers to arrive. Once we all connected, the photo shoot pursued. And once it was time for lights, camera, and action, automatically the Lo Life swagger was on display. During the shoot I saw some very nice Ralph Lauren pieces that occupied the color green; it was pretty much an onslaught of Polo Green style. Next we headed inside of Junior’s where we were seated to eat and further enjoyed our time. While we waited to be seated, something interesting happened.

There was a Junior’s mannequin next to us and with straight official LL confidence—a Lo Life Love and Loyalty medallion chain was placed around the mannequins neck by my Lo brother Dark Man from SJP, making him a Lo Life for the time being. That was such a classical moment. We then sat down, engaged in conversations, ordered cheesecake, appetizers, refreshments, paid the tab, and left. However, our Polo Green shoot wasn’t over just yet. It was a must that we strolled through the legendary Fulton street near the formerly famous Albee Square Mall to capture some more dope shots. And so we did with style and splendor. The photo shoot ended with us all coming together briefly to say goodbye and left the same way we appeared—with our 2L’s up.

Lo Trade

The Lo Trade Show is a concept that was created by Team Lo and hosted by me Rack-Lo Polo Godfather. Here folks from all around the Tri State area and as far as Canada connect for the purpose of Buying, Selling and Trading Polo. With a huge number of Polo enthusiast and true school collectors in attendance - The Lo Trade Show is the place to be. If you have ever imagined seeing, touching or buying some of the most revered Polo classics it happens at the Lo trade. All taking place in a fashion hip hop driven atmosphere one block over from the world famous Madison Square Garden.

The vibes are always good as people really get a chance to enjoy themselves while also picking up some quality fashion artifacts to add to their collections. It’s always good to see people get together for a common cause. Throughout the event, it’s several elements that take place to further entertain the audience. Music happens to be a very big element as Artists (Hip Hop) take to the stage to provide live entertainment. And on set is also a DJ who provide excellent soundscapes that further energize and amp the event up. The «Rack Lo» Polo Best Dressed Awards are also presented to 3 people who appear at the event draped and donned in the flyest wears of course with the PRL brand. Vendors are present to provide buyers with the exclusives while also giving folks the opportunity to trade if they choose to. This event covers various age brackets as I have seen kids as young as 8 years old representing and even entire families; Dad, Mom and Child. At this event those who share similar fashion taste, values and ideals also connect and network leading to quality relationships on the business end.

The Lo Trade Show is definitely needed in the culture.

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What an original event that people from all cultural backgrounds can attend, enjoy and also become apart of this ever growing Polo fashion culture. I like to view The Lo Trade as the home of the vintage, but always with new Polo/Ralph Lauren clothing for sale and trade. Going beyond just the clothing high quality collectible Accessories can also be found at the Lo Trade. Accessories vary from; RL Jewelry Polo Medallion Chains, Hats, Scarves, Eye wear, Beach Towels, Home ware and much more. Definitely an event that will continue to grow and remain visible in the culture and beyond, The Lo Trade Show is classic. Started for a particular reason and continuing to give folks a reason to be in attendance... It’s Polo Wavy!

• L O V E & L O YA LT Y •

Getting Polo down in some of the flyest wears to hit the market, Easter Sunday became Polo Easter Sunday for the Lo Life family. For decades, we have celebrated Easter Sunday in a fashion sense and still have the passion for it. While carrying on tradition, this event allows folks to gather and unite on a social platform that has become an international network.

Polo Easter Sunday Gathering at the famous «Macy’s 34th Street» in New York City, the streets and atmosphere is always saturated with the finest Polo RL Garments and accessories. It is truly a fashion show as Shoppers and Tourists are always interested in the cause. People on the scene are so taking by this that they just have to further inquire about our purpose as well as snap photos. It’s like if your in New York City during Easter Sunday and happen to be at Macy’s 34th Street during this event you are surely to be entertained through fashion and love and loyalty. Polo Easter Sunday is very special to me. It’s one of the events that pretty much every kid from the inner city can relate to. And even if you were raised in the suburbs Easter Sunday affected you in some way that was fashion related. Easter Sunday is also a day of «family» and «coming together». It has become a staple in Lo Life Culture and apart of «tradition». This event is highly anticipated yearly and designed to strengthen bonds and unity.

Fashion wise, attendees come dressed in various RL Styles that stand out and attracts attention. The vibe is very Spring like as the clothing is sort of a reflection of the season as Pascale colors rule the day. This is a key element to the events that are hosted and coordinated by Rack-Lo, dress according to a theme in a ÂŤseasonal mannerÂť. This idea allows folks to get creative fashionably and put their best foot forward.

Along with the element of fashion, photo shoots and filming are also incorporated to document history. History that is shared on a international level through social media further strengthening the movement and impacting and inspiring others all around the world. As the Polo Godfather, I also take this opportunity to award people for coming to the event «Best Dressed» in their Polo garments. Adding fuel to the culture, Best Dressed Awards provides «friendly competition» amongst attendees as fashion has always been a sport in our eyes. Competing against each other was always on the agenda from the start of Lo Life Culture. We always competed to see who had «the most» Polo and who always dressed «The Best». Thus far, the following awards have been presented at Polo Easter Sunday; Best Dressed Male, Best Dressed Female, Best Dressed Couple and Best Dressed Child. Yes, we recognize and acknowledge all age groups - male and female. The Best Dressed Awards have definitely made things more interesting and allows folks to accumulate «fashion trophies» based on style and a passion for fashion. These awards have also raised the profile of its winners hence giving them; exposure, fame, affiliation and rank as far as the culture is concerned. Once a person wins a «fashion trophy» they become more visible and should be looked at differently. If you have ever «won» a RackLo fashion award, you should be honored - as you have made an impact.. Expect Polo Easter Sunday to continue to grow for generations to come. We have turned fashion into a lifestyle something that the entire world enjoys and that’s «looking good» and always doing your best.

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For the Lo-Lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, our dress code started out as a sporty look and transgressed to various styles accompanied with the Ralph Lauren lifestyle. However, our way of dressing was decided based on three factors; how we felt, the days agenda, and the particular theme according to the season.

Fly Guys In Luxury Ralph Lauren Ties Having a wide range of accessories and RL Collectibles is what set many collectors and just Lo-heads apart. For me, obtaining the clothing was the easy part, although it was risky. It was more of a challenge for me to maintain, store, and stash the garments around the house as a teenager. My mom was aware of the stash spots and was very inquisitive as to where I was getting the clothing from. She knew one thing; she or my father wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t buying them. However, after a decent amount of time she came to expect and understood that being fashionable was who I was becoming. But still, she never agreed or supported my boosting genius.

As I matured through the fashion movement, my taste and style sort of matured along the way as well. I had become more interested in dressing according to my age—business, grown man attire. This is where my love for «ties» had originated. It’s ironic how I became fascinated with the «luxury tie» as Ralph Lauren first gained notoriety for launching his tie collection at the start of his designs. What a coincidence. Furthermore, I had lived a lifestyle that required me to wear a tie daily and luckily my ties were all Ralph Lauren. Once I began taking on the Polo Godfather moniker, my love and obsession grew drastically with the inclusion of other well-known designers as well. I had become the Lo-Life «tie man». So my tie collection consists of all sorts and flavors and styles that include: Polo, Purple Label, Double RL, Lauren, Chaps—printed, paisley, solid, plaid, silk, linen, etc. Many of them are made in Italy. I pretty much cover the entire spectrum. Being fashion forward thinkers, Lo-Life’s wore the tie in many ways that folks didn’t anticipate. Whether it was for the purpose of business, golf, partying, special events, or graduations, «Every man needs a tie to accommodate life’s experiences». It’s a necessity!

Lo Life BBQ

Celebrating 25 years of fashion history, the Lo-Lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s held their eighth annual Polo BBQ on Saturday June 22 in Brooklyn. Besides continuing the legacy, the event was designed to bridge the gap, unify folks through common causes from all ethnicityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, spread love and loyalty, and have a wonderful time while displaying the "Lo." The Polo BBQ can be viewed as a huge PRL (Polo Ralph Lauren) fashion show that dates to 1988, when the lifestyle first began.

The turnout was massive, as people traveled from as far as Europe to attend. Families and Polo collectors from various cities in the United States were in attendance as well for this monumental occasion. As the title of the event indicates, attendees were dressed in some of the finest Polo Ralph Lauren garments ever designed.

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Throughout its eight years, the Polo BBQ has become a staple in the Polo Ralph Lauren fashion culture and remains to be the biggest and flyest New York City summer fashion event created and coordinated by myself and my Lo-Wife, Sheena. Highly anticipated each year, the Polo BBQ is always the talk of the culture. Being at the Polo BBQ is a tremendous feeling as family and friends and newcomers all interact, converse, and network—all for the purpose of making the culture stronger. The atmosphere is filled with great music, tasty and delicious foods, fun for the kids, great people, and memorable times. Polo Ralph Lauren Best Dressed awards were also handed out for Men’s, Women’s and Kids’ categories, and special acknowledgement awards were also given to Original Lo-Life’s and other Polo crews who have helped pave the way throughout the years, courtesy of RL Jewelry. 2013 was undoubtedly the best Polo BBQ to date. With the hope and vision of constant elevation, look forward to 2014 as the Lo-Life family will put on once again for the international LL Polo culture at the 9th annual Polo BBQ.

• L O - L I F E A N N UA L B B Q •

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Stars and Stripes

Representing the American flag and red white and blue color schemes, we celebrated our July 4th holiday at South Street Seaport in New York City. Carrying on the Lo-Life fashion legacy in patriotic form, we collectively united on this great day, illustrating our love for the USA through fashion.

The Stars and Stripes theme was coordinated fantastically as all attendees were suited and draped in strictly Ralph Lauren garments, sticking to the event’s dress code. Various RL lines were visible, such as Polo, Polo Sport, Polo Country, and RLYC (Ralph Lauren Yacht Club). We were definitely set to make a fashion statement with this style of dress. The photo shoot was full of excitement as we also filmed a music video titled «Dressed to Kill» from my Polo Kings Vol. 3 mix tape series. The song captures me in Lo-Life braggadocios mode, laying the law regarding my fashion sense, longevity, dominance, and being a trendsetter and trailblazer.

• L O V E & L O YA LT Y •

As we canvassed the Seaport, we became the main attraction. Many bystanders, pedestrians, and especially tourists stared at us in amazement as we handled business on the scene. Tourists snapped photos, observed, and even participated as extras on the video shoot. Who would have thought that our day of fashion history would instantly impact others, causing them to have a good time, bringing smiles to their faces?

â&#x20AC;˘ S TA R S & S T R I P E S â&#x20AC;˘

Since the Lo-Life family came into existence, we have operated as an independent force that has year after year remained relevant with commercial and mainstream appeal. I think this is one of the main reasons for our long-term relevance and success. We are consistently raising the stakes in the culture, always leading by example setting the tone for many to follow. We concluded the event by posing for photos at the pier, where ships and boats were stationed and docked. This event will most definitely go down in Lo-Life fashion entertainment history. It turned out to be a very nice day weather-wise, and a joyous memorable experience for all those who participated. Long live the originators and founders!

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Bloomingdales Rush

Bloomingdale’s kept getting rushed. We never let them rest. They hated to see us coming. We ran that spot. Bloomies was our house. From the kids’ Lo section to the men’s Lo section, that was all us.

Take a few minutes and come on a ride as I paint pictures from one of our Million Man Rush episodes. This time around we heist Polo from one of NYCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most famous department stores. This is how the Lo-Lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lived at one point in time. Let me reflect!

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SCENE ONE

Amazingly, I remember the day clearly like it was yesterday. 1987 to 1988, Lo-Life’s had linked up with other boostin’ cliques from Brooklyn (Bed-Stuy) and headed to Midtown, Manhattan. The rush for Polo gear was on. Our destination was Bloomingdale’s, but before we got to Bloomies, we ransacked everything in sight. Herman’s [sports goods store] got taken for crazy tennis and ski apparel, particularly Head, Prince, Rossignol, K2, Columbia, Gerry G, Salomon and Goretex.

SCENE TWO

Heading up 3rd Ave., shit was about to get hectic. Heads (Lo-Life’s) were hungry for the Lo, and we practically would do the craziest things to get it. We were like real stuntmen for the Lo gear. Imagine running from Jake’s through the train tunnels with mad Lo gear, only to escape through a «secret hatch» that us Lo-Life’s knew about. So as the story continues, we hit Bloomingdale’s on 59th and 3rd Ave. and entered the men’s Lo section like a bunch of wolves. We came upon an entire table full of Big Cross Flags, and heads went crazy. I mean when I seen all of the bright colors, I just went berserk. There were various types of cross flags, too: tri colors, knitted white and blue, red and blue, blue and white, etc.

• BLOOMINGDALES RUSH •

SCENE THREE SCENE FOUR

We literally took every sweater and headed to the door. The sales person ain’t do nothing, but the detectives were on their way. I had caught like four big flags myself, and was crazy excited full of energy. All I was thinking about was the big payoff and getting out of there. Heads ran for the door, and guess what? We all made it outside safely. But I would say about five seconds after we exited the store, crazy store detectives appeared and started snatching heads up. Heads started running and taking flight. I even seen one Lo head from Bed-Stuy get thrown into a moving taxicab by a store detective. The Dee’s really tried to go all out on this day. But heads still went all the way to the end for that Lo gear. I would say about four or five of us were apprehended. The Dee’s even chased one of the LoLife’s to the other side of Manhattan near Central Park, but the Lo-Life escaped. On that day, we were like marathon runners. We took all of the big flags and Bloomingdale’s wanted their property back. They still took a major loss. Yeah, I was one of those who got caught. I kicked an alias and was released. And guess what? The next day I returned to Bloomingdale’s and caught two big flags. Ha ha, who got the last laugh?

While we were all in the holding cell, my man even stole his mugshot. Now that’s a real thief right there. All those Lo-Life’s who had escaped were fortunate. I know when I got back around the way, I saw crazy big flags. So I was amped to get mine.

Shit I’m a true Lo-Life.

It was just the way. Some days everyone got away Scot free, and on other days some people got caught. But if you was slick and clever like me, you always found a way to get released. I was a master at kicking aliases and giving a false age. Bloomingdale’s kept getting rushed. We never let them rest. They hated to see us coming. We ran that spot. Bloomies was our house. From the kids’ Lo section to the men’s Lo section, that was all us.

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The photo shoot began on 42nd Street and 8th Avenue at a well-known photography studio. Here we all gathered, posed for photos, listened to classic hip-hop music, networked, and built relationships in the name of love and loyalty. One of the core ingredients in making this vehicle Wearing the clothing according to the season is what this lifestyle is about. Knowing how to dress for the weather, but still keeping one’s style and presence intact is trendsetting in itself. Many people lack that fashion IQ. So I took it upon myself to introduce this event. Furthermore, this event, like all of our events, gives folks a purpose for wearing the clothing. My sole purpose for coordinating events such as this is to put on for the culture, to continuously keep the Lo Life legacy alive while setting new fashion standards.

work is the unity amongst everyone who sees themselves as being a part of the family. This type of thinking mixed with an urge to win keeps us trailblazing. At this event, many notable RL classics were visible as only true Lo heads know each garments’ history. Throughout the event we even switched up outfits as many of us brought out extras. Switching up outfits is something Lo Life’s did during the golden-era as well. Seeing people digging in their bags to pull out additional Ralph Lauren items was thrilling. It just demonstrates that our love runs deep for this lifestyle and as long as we continue to keep things relevant on all angles, we will remain unmatched.

• L O V E & L O YA LT Y •

Fall 2010 Ralph Lauren Shoot

Dressing with style, taste, and original dress codes, Lo Lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s took to Times Square (NYC) where countless members and associates engaged in the official and only Fall Ralph Lauren photo shoot. Gear wise, we wore new and vintage RL wears that still stand the test of time. This Lo Life phenomenon is more than a movement; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more like a religion. Just imagine a worldwide cult that specializes in the flyness on all fashion levels.

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• R A L PH L AU R E N SHO OT •

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Here’s a run down of some of the Polo RL Symbols pictured American Flag Knits American Flag Denim Jackets Teddy Bear Knitted Sweaters USA Varsity Sweatshirts Polo Sport Jackets Police Badge Wool Varsity Jackets Luggage Bags Lauren Velvet Crown Women’s Reversible Vest Five Horse Stampede Rugby Shirts Silk Scarfs Polo Footwear Polo Head wear

A Night Of Lo & Lyrics

This particular event is the epitome of Hip Hop culture as it flosses many events of the culture. My goal was to merge ÂŤfashionÂť with music in the form of live performances creating a highly energetic visual and verbal atmosphere. Established in New York City in 2009, A Night Of Lo & Lyrics has been making a impact slowly but surely.

Already a favorite to many, this event has also found itself on the road making its way to Rhode Island, Connecticut, Philadelphia, New York City and New Jersey - with its main attractions that consist of fashion, mcing, deejaying and partying. Throughout the event various DJâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s take to the turntables to spin strictly fresh vintage classic Hip Hop gems. And I must say, the music sets the tone.

Polo families and crews from all over the Tri State area participates as well. With the Lo Life family being so huge and having so many branches, A Night Of Lo & Lyrics further serves as a vehicle to advocate unity, love and loyalty while also providing a platform for Hip Hop and Lo Life Artists to expose and share their talents.

The caliber of performers on the bill are always groundbreaking. Thus far, some Hip Hop legends have performed such as Sadat X, Sean Price, El Da Sensei and DJ Pf Cuttin. These artists have constantly stayed relevant with a fierce urge to continuously promote their brands.

From a fashion perspective, it’s a night of Lo as in (Polo) so the garments run the gamut. People come dressed to impress bringing out classic and vintage pieces that are hard to find and a must have in ones collection. It’s also a pivotal time for networking to take place as many media folks are also in attendance such as XXL Magazine only taking the event to higher heights with its fantastic coverage and publicity. A Night Of Lo & Lyrics is set to take place in October every calendar. With this theme being so catchy and relatable, a entertainment goal of mine is to see A Night Of Lo & Lyrics become a full fledged tour traveling from city to city, state to state and country to country. It’s very refreshing and based on the past turnouts A Night Of Lo & Lyrics continues to be appealing. Overall, A Night Of Lo & Lyrics brings the following to a city near you; beats, rhymes, life, fashion, artistry and deejaying at a different level. Throughout the years attendees have come to appreciate this event as it’s looked at as Hip Hop in its truest form.

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I left full of energy, feeling good that we were able to unite in the name of fashion for a good cause while still making history. It also brought back good memories from my childhood as the area didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem to change much. But my memories of my past at Madison Square Garden will never fade, and this Polo Sport/RLX photo shoot is another addition to the good times.

Polo Sport RLX

Madison Square Garden

Growing up as a kid in New York City, I was always fascinated with Madison Square Garden. I always looked at things in a big way and MSG was just one of those places that was alive. A place to visit, take in, view, and enjoy some the greatest sports entertainment ever. Even coming up as a youngster my father took me to Madison Square Garden on many occasions as we were both wrestling fanatics and I got it from him. My biggest memory of my daily access to MSG was when I lived about two blocks away in a city hotel for low income families called the Martinique. With this being the case, I would always find myself near MSG, and it was also an area that enabled me to make money. So with all of that history in place, I decided to hold our POLO SPORT/RLX photo shoot at this legendary NYC landmark.

For many of us, the Polo Sport line was official and is missed a lot. Blending RLX garments in the fold brought it all together as we captured the essence of both Ralph Lauren lines. Due to the Polo Sport line being discontinued, we executed this photo shoot in vintage form.

Participants came geared up for the shoot properly and displayed their love for the lifestyle, the family, and the continuous dominance based around love and loyalty. Together we took photos, filmed a music video, networked, caught up on the times, toured the surrounding area, and then went to a impromptu after party in Chelsea. Overall, the night was very exciting and it felt good to be in Manhattan after rush hours. The night came to an end at the after party as some people chilled longer than others, but they were definitely in the building making their presence felt.

This type of fashion formation is shocking to many people, as they’ve never witnessed this caliber of fashion with a thematic focus on a specific RL line. The style and interest is definitely trendsetting and appealing to many. For us, dressing up and maintaining a fashion sense is art. It’s an expression that I I left full of energy, feeling good that we were able to have voiced and elevated since the 1980s. unite in the name of fashion for a good cause while Whenever we facilitate and coordinate these lifesty- still making history. It also brought back good mele events, folks from all over the Tri State area partici- mories from my childhood as the area didn’t seem pate. On this particular night Lo-Life’s, Lo Heads, and to change much. But my memories of my past at Lo Enthusiasts came together and pulled off another Madison Square Garden will never fade, and this Polo Sport/RLX photo shoot is another addition to the chapter in our RL events repertoire. good times.

• P O L O S P O RT R L X | M A D I S O N S Q UA R E G A R D E N •

The night was perfect as the area was congested with traffic, pedestrians, onlookers, constant movement, and of course us, the famous Lo-Lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s.

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A Polo Don Thanksgiving

Ever since I was a kid, Thanksgiving was a special holiday that I always anticipated. For me it was a time of family bondingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a time for loved ones to unite and give thanks for all the blessings bestowed upon them.

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It’s always a good feeling to be dressed up, full of confidence and pride, surrounded by the people you love. It served as a day where long distance relatives traveled to New York City to be a part of the family festivities. This meant I got a chance to socialize with cousins that I didn’t see on a regular basis. I remember those times when my mother would be up all night preparing the ultimate Thanksgiving meal. She really made it her business to carry on the tradition, and I must say she did a fantastic job. Waking up in the morning to the smell of all of those great Thanksgiving aromas of food being cooked made a person that more anxious to eat. Those memories will never fade. They are cherished and are some of the experiences that taught me the meaning of family. For me and my family, the tradition continues year after year and we all look forward to the gathering annually. In 2012, we once again enjoyed each other’s time and presence. The gathering started with everyone appearing at Nana’s house, where we greeted each other with many hugs and love. Everyone then got comfortable and made themselves at home. Before it was time to say a prayer and bless the food, we all conversed, shared stories, successes, goals, snapped photos, listened to classic music for all ages, and enjoyed ourselves. Then we proceeded to what I call «Speak Your Mind» where individually we all take the floor and state what we are grateful for. Every year Speak Your Mind is always a highlight. Finally, it was time to bless the food and start feasting.

Fashion-wise, my attire was inspired through «mafia lifestyle,» as I coined it, and gave myself the name «Polo Don.» This type of look for me is the modern day Lo-Life OG grown man style. Definitely steps up in terms of my original look, but more mature and age appropriate. This outfit is a perfect match for Thanksgiving, allowing me to dress for the occasion. For me, one of the standout pieces is the Polo Ralph Lauren necktie. Although minor, it does resonate with the overall theme. The colors of the tie have all those Thanksgiving colors and just puts you in that mindset and emotion. Color-wise, the remaining attire simply complements the coordination, further completing the «Polo Don» look.

Fresh Fly Rich In Lo Knits The concept of Fresh Fly Rich In Lo Knits originated in 2009 from the idea of having The Lo Life family partying together while being dressed and draped in the finest Polo and Ralph Lauren sweaters ever made. It’s sort of a throwback to the original days (1980’s) when we first started, but with a new millennium twist. This concept has made its way into several NYC nightclubs as well as been featured on my Polo Kings Mix Tape Series Volume Two. My outlook as far as dressing in Polo RL garments has only gotten better with time like fine wine. Presently, I enjoy engaging folks in the “High Lights” of the outfit. I’m a true believer in color coordination that ultimately gives you that edge when it comes to style and showmanship—birthing and coining this style and event does that exactly. The idea is to match, coordinate, project, and floss, but in a way that «highlights» your prize winner, which in this case is the knitted sweater.

My outlook as far as dressing in Polo RL garments has only gotten better with time like fine wine. Presently, I enjoy engaging folks in the “High Lights” of the outfit. I’m a true believer in color coordination that ultimately gives you that edge when it comes to style and showmanship—birthing and coining this style and event does that exactly. The idea is to match, coordinate, project, and floss, but in a way that «highlights» your prize winner, which in this case is the knitted sweater. On this occasion, we all united at a club in the Village. In a collaborative effort with Class Of 1990 and DJ Rholi Rho, we were about to mark another Lo-Life party milestone. The vibes at the event were real laid back at first, but then turned up as the night progressed. The DJ played classic hip-hop, soul, and R&B, plus gave shout outs and acknowledgements as people took to the dance floor. My wife catered the food and served all those who were interested— she always has delicious food on the menu at our events and functions. Ultimately, fun and enjoyment was in the air and everybody mingled, networked, and had a great time. What more can you ask for at the club? We had all of the elements all brewing at once—drinks, ladies, music, food, friends, fashion, photos—until we were done.

It was my first time actually meeting some of the invited guests (newer polo heads) as they attended to rep love and loyalty and show their support. And it was all good! This happens to be a key element at all of my events, meeting people from different walks of life. So as the concept and themes tend to be fashion, love and loyalty, and culture, there are always other underlining issues being addressed that inject positivity into the universe. It’s much deeper than clothing. These types of events bring people together for good memorable times while also providing a platform and reason for folks to actually wear the clothing, collect, and live the lifestyle. Although blistering cold on this particular night, all of my invited guests appeared at the venue dressed according to the events theme. I must say, some of the Polo sweaters took me back to the golden era of this movement. I experienced a few flashbacks for sure. It was just great to see those remarkable items still in existence. From the 1980’s through the 1990’s until this very day, the movement continues to gain momentum and notoriety while we keep raising the bar of fashion excellence. Stay tuned, be a part of the experience as «Fresh Fly Rich In Lo Knits» continues in 2014, we’ll put on for the city and our brand as we continue to represent “Love and Loyalty.”

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• F R E SH F LY R IC H I N L O K N I T S •

CREDITS Written and Conceptualized by GEORGE "RACK-LO" BILLIPS Photography by RACK-LO, AV ROCK , CHAPPA, STEVEN LAU, DERRICK CLARKE and JOSHUA SCOTT Layout and Design by TIMELINE / Subtilemagazine.com Styled by RACK-LO and LL POLO CREWS CONTACT Tel: (347) 356-9889 Email: racklopoloking@gmail.com Web: www.originallolifes1988.ning.com Store: www.luxuryvintage.bigcartel.com Music: www.racklo.bandcamp.com Instagram: @RLJEWELRY Twitter: @RACKLO Facebook: RACKLOPOLO Youtube: @RACKLORACKLO CATALOG Easter Sunday Book (ON SALE NOW)

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