Rags Lives!

Sarasota Journal Review

2010-04-22T17:21:00.000-07:00

An astute reader found an online review of Rags magazine in the Sarasota Journal from October 9, 1970. Thanks for the tip!

Dec. 1970 T-Shirt

2009-03-16T01:00:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Unique T-shirts from issue seven.

June 1970 Devon Wilson

2009-03-14T13:55:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

By special request, the interview with Devon Wilson from issue one.

March 1971 Tads Ad

2008-03-17T08:20:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Ad for Tads pants and jeans.

Nov. 1970 Jean Art

2008-03-10T08:07:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Ideas for enhancing jeans.

Feb. 1971 Camera Jim Marshall

2008-03-03T08:10:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Backstage rock photography by Jim Marshall. Janis Joplin, Wayne Ceballos, Albert King, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, and Hank Crawford.

June 1971 Ecological Technology

2008-02-25T08:49:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Ecological concerns and technological ideas of Dr. Warren Brody and Dr. Avery Johnson.

Oct. 1970 The Politics of Midi

2008-02-18T08:28:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Fashion as political statement.

August 1970 Two-Piece Suit

2008-02-11T09:59:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Business wear for men circa 1970.

Nov. 1970 On the Street

2008-02-04T08:42:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

On the Street, including a Baron Wolman photograph of Jimi Hendrix.

Feb. 1971 Seafarer Ad

2008-01-28T08:57:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Make one thing perfectly clear ad from issue 9.

May 1971 Show & Tell

2008-01-21T08:47:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Back-to-the-Earth information.

Sept. 1970 Indian Fashion

2008-01-14T08:33:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Indian inspired clothing from issue 4.

March 1971 Dr. Eatgood

2008-01-07T08:45:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Indian cuisine from issue 10.

Jan. 1971 Amanda Stinchecum

2007-12-31T08:04:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Thrift store chic.

March 1971 Dressing for God

2007-12-24T08:35:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Liturgical fashion.

Sept. 1970 On the Street

2007-12-17T08:41:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

More San Francisco street fashion.

May 1971 Vegetable Evangelism

2007-12-10T08:21:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Article on vegetarianism and veganism.

Feb. 1971 Media Massages

2007-12-03T07:58:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Book and magazine recommendations, circa 1971.

July 1970 On the Street

2007-11-26T08:10:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Street fashion from issue 2.

June 1970 Work Boots

2007-11-19T08:28:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Work boots -- the style of the day.

April 1971 Graffiti Fragrance Ad

2007-11-12T08:01:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

It's interesting how advertising adapts to a nonmaterialistic audience.

Dec. 1970 Janis Joplin

2007-11-05T08:48:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

A requiem for Janis Joplin.

Nov. 1970 Fantastic Clothes

2007-10-29T08:30:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

I had the pleasure of seeing the Reverend Cecil Williams at Glide Memorial in San Francisco in the early 1970s. It was the most moving service I have ever experienced.

Aug. 1970 Camera Jerry Wainwright

2007-10-22T08:07:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Photographs by Jerry Wainwright.

Oct. 1970 Office Dress Codes

2007-10-15T08:42:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

1970s women's dress codes for work.

June 1971 If You're So Smart Why Did You Get Married?

2007-10-08T09:02:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Interesting commentary on attitudes towards marriage in 1971.

March 1971 Kurt Vonnegut

2007-07-23T16:51:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Interview with Kurt Vonnegut from issue 10.

Sept. 1970 Camera Imogen Cunningham

2007-07-16T16:29:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Male nudes photographed by Imogen Cunningham in 1915 during an excursion to Mt. Ranier, Washington.

May 1971 FIT and Parsons

2007-07-09T16:01:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Article from issue 12 on the Fashion Institute of Technology and the Parsons School of Design.

July 1970 Soap

2007-07-02T15:05:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Article on natural soaps from issue 2.

June 1971 Supermarket

2007-06-25T12:45:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

The beginning of home pregnancy test kits, Earth shoes, and Indian spinning.

Oct. 1970 Anal Dropout

2007-06-18T12:16:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Fashion advice from Jon Carroll.

Dec. 1970 Freelance Clowns

2007-06-11T08:24:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Article from issue 7 about a pair of freelance clowns.

July 1970 Betty Davis

2007-06-04T09:16:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Betty Davis fashion layout.

Nov. 1970 Male Jeans Ad

2007-05-28T20:43:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Male Jeans centerfold ad from issue 6.

Feb. 1971 Boutiques and Capitalism Part III

2007-05-21T08:15:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Part three of Jon Carroll's report on boutiques and capitalism, including a section on hip Los Angeles boutiques. Part one was featured four weeks ago, and part three was featured two weeks ago.

June 1971 Camera Shalmon Bernstein

2007-05-14T08:47:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Showing pregnant women naked was pretty radical in 1971.

Feb. 1971 Boutiques and Capitalism Part II

2007-05-07T08:13:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Part two of Jon Carroll's report on boutiques and capitalism. Part one was featured two weeks ago, and part three will be featured two weeks from now.

May 1971 Carole King Tapestry Ad

2007-04-30T08:45:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

One of my all-time favorite albums.

Feb. 1971 Boutiques and Capitalism Part I

2007-04-23T07:10:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

This is part one of Jon Carroll's report on boutiques and capitalism. It's a long article, so I broke it up into three parts. Parts two and three will be featured in the near future, but not next week. I don't want to inundate you with capitalism!

Sept. 1970 Automotive Art

2007-04-16T19:07:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Furniture made from car parts!

Aug. 1970 Earth Mother's Wedding

2007-04-09T20:29:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Only in California!

Dec. 1970 Camera

2007-04-02T16:01:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Photographs by Joshua Freiwald from issue 7.

July 1970 Eco Clothes

2007-03-26T00:00:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Clothes made from trash.

March 1971 Landlubber Ad

2007-03-19T00:00:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

The ads in Rags were great!

Jan. 1971 Vintage Clothing

2007-03-12T11:25:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

A 1971 take on vintage clothing.

Oct. 1970 Marshall McLuhan

2007-03-05T00:00:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

If you can make sense of this interview, please clue me in. Police are pigs, because they're not in costume. But motorcycle policeman are not pigs, because they are in costume. Uh-huh. I also don't see how the miniskirt is related to the tribal loincloth. And the British are less civilized than Americans? Wow . . . he's really out on a limb in this interview.

April 1971 Hair Tips

2007-02-26T19:53:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Hair must be all one length to be healthy? I never heard that before.

June 1970 Betsey Johnson

2007-02-19T00:00:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

The beginnings of Betsey Johnson's own line, from issue 1. The rest is history!

Feb. 1971 Valentines

2007-02-12T00:00:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Happy Valentine's Day!

May 1971 Survival of the Fit-Test

2007-02-05T09:45:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

An interesting article on the way clothes fit, or don't fit, from issue 12.

April 1971 Truth and Soul Ads

2007-01-29T20:21:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Truth and Soul ads from the inside front cover of issue 11.

June 1970 T-Shirt Fashion

2007-01-22T00:00:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Long and short T-shirt fashion from issue 1.

Sept. 1970 Painted Ladies

2007-01-15T15:01:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Article on cosmetic counter saleswomen from issue 4. I don't think the prediction of cosmetics dying off has come true!

Feb. 1971 Frederick's of Hollywood

2007-01-08T00:00:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Article on Frederick's of Hollywood from issue 9. I didn't think Frederick's was still around, but a Google search shows that they're still going strong with 43 stores in California alone and online shopping via their website. I guess I don't get out much!

Jan. 1971 Astrological Forecast

2007-01-01T18:03:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Here's your astrological forecast for January 1971. Can you remember back that far? Is the forecast accurate?

Dec. 1970 Amazon Attire

2006-12-25T00:00:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

An article on some of the Peruvian tribes along the Amazon River from issue 7.

Oct. 1970 The GTO's

2006-12-18T12:36:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

The GTO's -- Girls Together Outrageously -- a group discovered by Frank Zappa.

Nov. 1970 Jeans Road Test

2006-12-11T00:00:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

A surprisingly thorough and humorous test of Levi's, Lee Riders, Wranglers, Seafarers, Can't Bust 'Ems, Mavericks, Leggs, Sears, and Penney's jeans.

May 1971 Tony Pigg Ad

2006-12-04T00:00:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

I don't remember Tony Pigg, but then I don't remember KLOS from the early 1970s, either. Was it a rock station then? I only remember listening to AM radio in those days -- KRLA and KHJ, here in Los Angeles.

May 1971 Camera Ed Ruscha

2006-11-27T13:15:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Ed Ruscha photographs -- I guess from before he became well known as a painter.

Sept. 1970 Newknit

2006-11-20T20:52:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Article on freeform knitting by Uhshur P. Quietstone. A pseudonym, perhaps?

June 1970 On The Street

2006-11-13T19:04:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

More street fashion from issue 1.

Oct. 1970 Waitress Wear

2006-11-09T19:52:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

An article from issue 5 on the ladies at The Trident in Sausalito versus the waitresses at Cantor's in Los Angeles.

Sept. 1970 Truth and Soul Ad

2006-11-06T22:25:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

A Truth and Soul ad from issue 4 featuring gas masks.

Feb. 1971 On The Street

2006-11-02T19:15:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

An installment of On The Street from issue 9 featuring an impromptu interview with Elvis by Digby Diehl.

March 1971 Gay Women's Wear

2006-10-30T20:43:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge.

An article on what gay women are wearing from issue 10.

eBay Alert!

2006-10-26T23:15:00.000-07:00

There are two more issues of Rags currently available on eBay. Both auctions end on October 31st.

June 1971 Jon Carroll's Wedding

2006-10-26T23:00:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Jon Carroll's story about his wedding. This is great, Jon. Very poignant and bittersweet. Maybe you can bring us up to date about what has happened since.

Nov. 1970 Pull Tab Vest

2006-10-23T19:52:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Article by Laura Torbet on how to make a vest out of pull tabs from beer or soft drink cans. There's a great photo of Laura circa 1975 wearing the vest on her website.

June 1970 Maureen Mubeem Tie-Dye

2006-10-20T12:41:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

An article written by Baron about Maureen Mubeem, an early tie-dye artist. I guess this was before Procion dyes were available, and she was using aniline vat dyes. Great colors, but very toxic.

Aug. 1970 Alternative Capitalism

2006-10-16T12:02:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

This article makes my heart ache a bit when I read it. I would so like to be part of a community like this. I wonder what has happened to Roslyn, Long Island since. Free Sunday afternoon rock concerts in the park, starting with Ritchie Havens? Whoa!

Sept. 1970 Landlubber Ad

2006-10-13T12:03:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Landlubber reality ad from the back cover of issue 4. No street address on Landlubber's mailing address? Would a letter really get there without it?

Jan. 1971 Visionary Clothing

2006-10-10T21:34:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

An article on Debra Papoport's master's thesis done through the textiles department at UC Berkeley.

eBay Alert!

2006-10-09T19:15:00.000-07:00

Eight issues of Rags are up for auction on eBay, including the hard-to-find issue preceding the first issue -- the Dummy Copy. The auctions end on October 13th and 14th, and so far there aren't any bids on any of them.

In case you're wondering, I'm not the one selling these magazines. I wouldn't part with my copies of Rags for anything! I just offer this information as a service for others who are interested in collecting vintage Rags.

July 1970 Shoe Make-Over

2006-10-07T13:38:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

An article on shoe painting from the second issue of Rags. I don't know if Lady Esquire Instant Shoe Coloring is still available, but textile paints might make a good substitute. I've also used regular acrylic paint on shoes, and it holds up well.

June 1970 On The Street

2006-10-03T13:58:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Street fashion from the first issue of Rags.

June 1970 Masthead

2006-10-01T14:26:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

This is the first page from the first issue of Rags. It includes Baron Wolman's introduction to the magazine, as well as a list of the original staff. Note the art directors, one of whom was artist Barbara Kruger.

Feb. 1971 Truth and Soul Ad

2006-09-30T18:19:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

I'm really captivated by the ads right now. You don't see interesting ads like these anymore.

Jan. 1971 Western Wear

2006-09-29T12:21:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

An article about Western wear from the "Dressing for Disaster" issue.

Nov. 1970 Columbia Records Ad

2006-09-27T16:44:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Even the ads in Rags were creative and make for interesting reading.

Welcome!

2006-09-26T20:26:00.000-07:00

How do I adequately explain the significance of Rags magazine? Rags was a cultural icon of the early 1970s. It was a fashion magazine that featured the fashion on the streets, not the clothes in the store windows -- a revolutionary concept at the time. Rags also documented the counterculture movement in San Francisco and the United States through articles, profiles, photographs and ads.

Rags only lasted for thirteen monthly issues, from June 1970 through June 1971, but it had a huge impact on my life.

I don't know much about the team of people who produced Rags. I only know that the magazine touched me deeply, so much so that I saved every issue I owned. This coming from someone who doesn't save anything! Perhaps others can fill in the gaps about the production side of Rags.

You can occasionally find vintage Rags magazines for sale on eBay, and the prices are many times the original cover price of 40 or 50 cents.

Maybe the best way for you to get to know the magazine is to experience it yourself. To that end, I present pages from Rags.

Baron Wolman, renowned photographer and publisher of Rags, has kindly given me permission to post pages from the magazines here. Page images are presented in Adobe PDF file format, so you can enlarge the pages to read the text.

These pages of Rags are copyrighted by Baron Wolman and the authors, and cannot be reproduced without permission.

Enjoy a trip back to the 1970s and the phenomenon that was Rags!