Jonathan Ng
In the 1980s, New York City was alive with creativity, culture, and bold expressions of style. Among the many photographers capturing the essence of the time, Amy Arbus stood out. Her series On the Street, which ran in The Village Voice from 1980 to 1990, was a front-row seat to the fashion and street culture that defined a generation. Arbus, a native New Yorker, focused on everyday people with unique looks, seeking out the trendsetters and fashion icons who roamed the streets of the city.
Unlike traditional fashion photography, which often took place in controlled studio settings, Arbus’s work was raw and unfiltered. She captured real New Yorkers in their natural environments, often in the neighborhoods where they lived or worked. The fashion was personal, distinct, and full of attitude. Arbus didn’t just photograph what people wore—she documented how they expressed their identity through clothing.
The 1980s in New York were a time of experimentation. Hip-hop culture was rising, punk was still alive and well, and the city’s art scene was booming. On the streets, fashion became a form of rebellion, self-expression, and even resistance. People wore oversized jackets, neon colors, ripped jeans, and accessories that screamed individuality. It wasn’t about following trends—it was about creating new ones.
Arbus’s photographs reflect the energy and diversity of the city. Her subjects were often musicians, artists, dancers, and people who pushed the boundaries of what was considered fashionable. A person could be seen wearing a designer suit in one frame and a homemade punk look in the next. This mix of high fashion and street style gave Arbus’s work a unique quality, showing the fluidity of New York’s fashion scene.
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