Definition of the Buffalo style: a counter culture style created by Ray Petri in 1984 inspired by US, UK and other sartorial histories.
And it’s not just a brooch it’s a nod to the unique genius and authentic fashion history of the people who created and democratised fashion for everyone.
Check out my latest Pinterest Board on historical and contemporary examples of Buffalo Styling
Definition of Buffalo collective: a creative team of artists, models, and musicians led by Ray Petri that worked in England between 1984 and 1989.
According to Deidre Dyer in her 2015 Fader article The Unsung ‘80s Style Movement That Predicted Fashion’s Genderless Present, “Petri’s vision for Buffalo was almost prophetic; it foreshadowed contemporary fashion’s increasingly post-gender identity, laid the groundwork for the merging of sportswear and high fashion, and elevated youth street style to glossy new heights. Buffalo was more than a trend; it was more like a multi-faceted, avant-garde state of mind”.
Watch this very cool explanation of the style’s origin and expression in video form by Jamie Morgan narrated by Neneh Cherry in 2015. The Jamie Morgan, photographer of the photo with model above.
These fabulous brooches from the 1980s reflect one of the most fantastic and influential styles in fashion. Buffalo Style never leaves our minds representing the iconic and innovative power of fashion to link history, culture, art, and music.
Even in the present 2020s fashion and style landscape Buffalo reigns supreme as seen in the styling of the photo above for Perfect Magazine. Find out all of the folk involved in creating this image here.
My Buffalo style collection of brooches encompasses the military, nautical, gothic, natural and religious iconography that inspired Petri and other creative within this movement.
Shop all the styles here or click on the images above.
If you want to find out more about Buffalo style, its creators and its contributors, click on the references below. Go deep my friends. It is always worth it. These fashion geniuses add to the joy and unique experience we all enjoy as clothed humans.
REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING
- 1 Sept 2015 A film by Jamie Morgan, exploring the cultural history of the eclectic Buffalo movement.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0JQUcknz2c
- I do not claim to be an expert but my research started with a blog by @billybeyond from August 2013 that referenced another blog written in 2006 https://www.niwdenapolis.com/2006/12/ray-petri-buffa-style.html
- https://www.thefader.com/2015/08/25/spirit-of-buffalo-interview-dr-martens
- Great article here too - https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/fashion/article/ray-petri
- https://www.unravelpodcast.com/review/2017/3/19/buffalo-style
All errors and omissions are author’s own.
Copyright Audra Daws-Knowles 2023