Jonas Bevacqua from LRG.
Unexpected deaths of talented young people are always a challenge to write about. Such is the case with Jonas Bevacqua, 34, co-founder of Lifted Research Group (LRG), who died on Monday night of causes still being determined. The DJ, turned streetwear fashion creative director, was known for bringing together the elements of music, skateboarding, street culture, and fashion as LRG elevated throughout the years since it was founded in 1999 with Robert Wright and Charlie Moothart.
With its urban and streetwear inspired styles and aesthetics, LRG became a kingpin of the hip-hop scene but also extended as a crossover to skate, as indicated by its solid presence at shows like Agenda and collaborations with street artists such as Noa Banks and others in their recent Artists Series.
A Conversation with Jonas Bevacqua by Hypebeast in May, 2011.
News spread like wildfire yesterday as the streetwear industry took note that such a pioneer was no longer with us. A tribute on the LRG site reads: “Jonas Bevacqua was a true pioneer in the fashion industry. As co-founder of LRG, Jonas was a creative visionary loved by those around him. Jonas was a friend, partner, father, mentor and a very caring person who inspired so many of us who were fortunate enough to be around him.”
Tributes from Vibe to Karmaloop to Sportswear International are popping all over this week. But perhaps the best, most recent tribute comes from an interview done in May with Hypebeast. Check it out.
Our thoughts go out to Jonas’ family and friends, and everyone at LRG.
