Blasphemy!
Filed under: Fashion Smashion
John Varvatos, a fashion designer in New York, has opened his latest boutique in the same space that once was the famous underground music club CBGB.
Artists such as The Ramones, Patti Smith, and Blondie all performed there.
CBGB first opened in 1973 and lasted all the way through October of 2006, when they were forced to close after a rent dispute.
Varvatos has decided to preserve much of CBGB's original look, such as CBGB posters and walls covered in graffiti along with crystal chandeliers, velvet curtains, and a black ceiling to help recreate the look.
There are even plans to have an in-house DJ and concerts.
Varvatos tries to defend his decisions, by stating that "We're not trying to reinvent CBGB's. We're just trying to respect the past and let people have an opportunity to enjoy what was there. It sounds kind of hokey, but the walls kind of talk in that place.
The store has already been open for a few days, but it's scheduled grand opening will be on Thursday, April 17th.
You hear that???
That's the sound of dead rockers rolling in their graves!!!!
[Image via WENN.]
FIRST!
NOT FIRST!! SUCKS FOR CBGB
damnnnnnn
I just threw up in my mouth a little bit. Dis-Fucking-Custing….
first
23rd?
THATS BULLSHIT!!…HOW COULD THEY FUCK UP A ROCK BAR ICON LIKE THAT??..ASSHOLES..BOYCOTT!!
Re: Loady Smurf – Stop saying that!!!!
It's sooooo 2007!!!
furst
third!
At least he's preserving the interior as much as possible, and respecting what the space stands for. That's much better than a Baby Gap or a Starbucks.
hi
CBGB's is NOT suppose to be a store!-why can't the man let this place die with some dignity?
oldest? story? ever?
I can't believe that some stupid designers try to make profit from that cult place… Instead of trying to reopened it. And I can't believe that stupid people will spend their money to buy these clothes, instead of hanging there while it was still open!
I think it's great– I have pretty much "lived" at CB's since the late 80's and I'm glad that someone is going to preserve and respect it's history. CB's started because of a vision…just like Varvatos' clothing. CB's was a place to show art…just like Varvatos' clothing. It would have been HORROR and blasphemy if it was turned into a corporate-whore GAP or something like that.
Oh dear god thats just sad
i can believeable
so LAME
i feel depressed…
WOO it opens on my birthday!
Fucking fashion fags. They'll never understand what CBGB stood for.
If they turned it into the Gap and wallpapered out the history.. it'd be worse. Good for him to retain much of it as is!
Re: becky – Congrats!!! I'm sorry your chest isn't big enough to wear this medal you've won.
SO…….MAYBE IF YOU GROW THE FUCK UP, MAYBE I WON'T KILL YOU!
Better than the alternative you fat nipple.
John Varvatos is a designer for Converse and other lines. His designs reflect the lifestyles that all of these amazing performers once lived. I think he deeply respects CBGBs roots and in no way would he make it the "cool" new thing. But let's face it, it will be. Let's just be thankful the place isn't being torn down. He is keeping the integrity for the club.
at least they arent demolishing the place. r.i.p dead rockers.
GREAT MUSIC LIVES FOREVER
Perez, what the hell do you know about the punk rock scene of the 70's and 80's?? NOTHING. If you did, you'd know that you represent everything they detested about the celebrity culture of this country, so stop embarrassing yourself by pretending you're a "part of."
Re: bathog –
all thirteen feet of it.
well what else are they gonna do with the space? Make it luxury condos?
New toilet. I hope.
Perez, your mom and my mom was pregnant the same time. You are almost exactly one month older than my oldest brother. Which means your mommy was a teen in the 70z…I'll bet she got high, huh? luv y'r azzz, honeybabe
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
DEAD BOYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Re: Jessy – true
Yeah but… at least the guy is preserving the look and feel. Just about any other tenant would have simply gutted the place.
uhhhh CBGB"s is long gone. John V makes some pretty cool clothes.just because the dont come in your beastly size dont be mean.
At least he's preserving the look and feel. Anyone else would have simply gutted the place.
I guess I'm just sick of the music scene now. Every time I see some 12-year old girl with a brass knuckles necklace and pink chucks on, I just roll my eyes at the desperation of it all.
Okay folks, saying things like boycott and this is a disgrace really shows your ignorance regarding this matter. According to reports Hilly Krystal, the owner of CBGB's was worth $3.7 million at the time of his death. CBGB's could have been saved, not just by the bands that played benefit shows (kudos to those that tried to save CBGB;s) but by the actual owner of the establishment.
John Varvatos is a designer, however he is also a music fan. If you do a little research you will learn that Mr. Varvatos is very generous, donating large amounts of money to a rape treatment center in Los Angeles and to VH1's Save The Music. Sure it sucks that CBGB's closed down, but where were any of you that are so up in arms about its closing when it desperately needed money? Additionally, a gossip blog is not very punk rock!
I think it's an awesome idea. Unfortunately, time moves on and if Hilly Krystal really and truly wanted to save it, he could have and would have.
Yeah, but what do you all suggest happens to it? It just stands empty forever?
To all you "At least it's not the GAP" people: John Varvatos IS THE FREAKING GAP. He designed for them for years and collaborated with them last year selling expensive, limited edition Converse sneakers in every Gap store across the nation. Is there anything less punk than expensive Cons? Varvatos is buying his street cred as a designer and has been for years. A thief and a joke, how sad.
big deal, that happens all the time to historic little holes in the wall. at least it's not being overtaken and completely replaced by a starbucks or walgreens.
at least there's SOME history left.
what could be done? the original peeps didn't have the cash flow to stay open, and the owner died shortly after it was sold.
quit trying to be hardcore, perez. we all know that you never listened to punk anyways.
You people are fucking stupid. Blasphemy would have been the fucking Gap moving in and tearing shit down. As much as we'd all like it to still be in business, it's not. Apparently you dumb asses didn't go enough when it was open to keep it in business. Furthermore, it apparently doesn't qualify for historical preservation. Therefore, when someone who DOESN'T have to keep the place alive in spirit chooses to do so, you should be cheering. Idiots. Plus John Varvatos rocks. I can't think of too many other designers who would fit that space like he will.