Ben WesthoffOur music feature this week documents the history of rave fashion, which went from baggy and colorful to, well, culturally insensitive sexy chic . (Along the way, you probably had a facemask with Vicks smeared inside.) The painstakingly researched piece traces the sartorial evolution from the first raves in London through the current corporate mega-events.
If we do say so ourselves, it's a great read.
Also great are the photos accompanying the piece, courtesy of longtime scene documentarian Michael Tullberg. The L.A. based photojournalist has been shooting raves longer than most anyone on this continent, and beginning in 1996 he covered the underground dance scene exhaustively. He's shot for everyone from Rolling Stone to Urb and Mixmag, and nowadays works for Getty Images and has his own book publishing company, 5150.
Below are shots he took from Southern California raves in the 1990's. They are a hoot!
See also: Our full slideshow looking back at rave fashion
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How Sweet It Is party, date unknown; Credit: Michael Tullberg
Lotus in San Bernardino, July 13, 1996; Credit: Michael Tullberg
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Narnia in Snow Valley, CA, Aug. 30, 1997; Credit: Michael Tullberg
Insight in Downtown L.A., April. 12-13, 1997; Credit: Michael Tullberg
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Nucleus in Pomona, Jan. 25, 1997; Credit: Michael Tullberg
Narnia in Snow Valley, CA, Aug. 30, 1997; Credit: Michael Tullberg
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Date and location unknown; Credit: Michael Tullberg
Diamond Club in Hollywood, Sept. 7, 1996; Credit: Michael Tullberg
JuJu Beats rave, Aug. 28, 1999; Credit: Michael Tullberg
See also: Why is rave fashion such a disaster?
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