Commentary

E-mail Interview with:

Hip Hop Fan

The "Beyoncé" Professor

Kevin Allred

Rutgers University - New Brunswick

What is your favorite period in Hip Hop in regards to fashion, and why?

" I like the late 80s and early 90s hip hop fashion personally. Maybe it's because that's when I was growing up or more familiar with. But looking back on it, especially in terms of female style in hip hop, it was interesting to see women play with masculinity in their style without having it mean anything about their sexuality. In today's fashion world, when women dress in stereotypically masculine ways, there are usually

rumors about her being a lesbian, but back then it seemed more free. Women were also able to be sexy and cool without having to show their entire body. Fashion then also felt more authentic - before everything got commodified by corporate interests. "