L3NF Day
When discussing summertime in New York City, depending on the generation the conversation is had amongst, a cinematic and almost picture perfect scenario is delivered through cracked smiles and countless inside jokes. You watch a Spike Lee film and Fort Greene is illuminated with bamboo hoops, while at the same time riots were sweeping from city to city-listen to A Tribe Called Quest album and afrocentricities are moved through the speakers and crack rock through the projects-and finally, watch a Woody Allen film to see the socialites of New York enjoying the finest parts of the city while drinking away the loneliest nights of their lives. The one thing that remains consistent in all of these fairy tells is that the beauty of the city and the laughter from the cities inhabitants always rings louder in the minds of the story teller than the cries from the tragedies the same summer has witnessed. In the wake of the injustice our country has gone through following the Zimmerman trial verdict, if there was ever a time for laughter and unity it began at noon, July 13th at the corner of 110th street and Central Park North.
On this particular Saturday afternoon, Glyn Brown, owner of streetwear brand L3NF used his influence over the social media world to gather some of fashions biggest fans uptown in Central Park. As soon as I got off of the 2 train I was met by a crowd of young fashion enthusiast I had grown accustom to seeing sense I’d begun attending Brown’s events last Summer. The style consistencies of this summer compared to the last did not surprise me; prints didn’t match, leather knew no season, and hair was not only uniquely styled but brightly colored as well. Like most of the other events the personalities that roamed through the secluded side of the park ranged from camera shy to Youtube star. Like usual, I had a camera glued to my hand aiming the lens at any individual I found interesting or even uninteresting.
As I reviewed the footage from the event I put myself back on the grass where I watched Brown go from selling his new collaboration shirts with Swarovski to ripping off his shirt to join his friends in a heated dance circle. I put myself on the pavement where I spoke to designer Spencer Lee about his latest t-shirt he modeled at the event. And how can I forget the memories of the people who’s names I instantly forgot but who’s faces I’ll always remember from the video. These are the dedicated fans, the street style consumers, that make the culture thrive and make the Glyn Brown’s, Johnny Cupcakes’, and Bobby Hundreds’ the public figures they are today. Hours before the Zimmerman verdict was read, Glyn Brown and hundreds of young people laughed, celebrated, and danced joyfully. This is one of the cinematic memories I choose to define my summer, and the ambitions of todays youth is how I choose to define my generation.
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