Sporting architectural haircuts that haven’t been seen since the Reagan administration, big door knocker earrings and clothes that looked borrowed from the closets of Run-D.M.C. and Theo Huxtable, a group of young black kids who call themselves the Retro Kidz are always turning heads as they walk down the new York city streets. They make it clear that they are not in costume and all share an obsession for all things ’80s “When we walk down the street, people look at us like we’ve been stuck in a time capsule for 15 years, But this is how we really dress every day. We love it.” The crew of eight range in age from 18 to 22 and hail from Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, and Harlem, they sport ancient gadgets like the beeper; and practice dances like the Running Man and Roger Rabbit. Lately, the crew and their fierce dedication to the look, has attracted the attention of the style world beyond their neighborhoods.

They posed for fashion magazines such as Complex, The Source, Vibe, and had an article in the XXL based on the groups future plans. The Retro Kidz are in the works for their own cartoon with the TV network nickelodeon, and another major TV network who’s name cannot be disclosed of as of yet. “This past June after 2 years of strictly dancing the Retro Kidz started rhyming like old school rappers to form a complete package, a month later they met SONY urban A&R Anton Marchand (foxy browns brother) at a NYC club, Marchand dug the style so much that he signed on to executive produce their independent debut, Back to The future, due this fall. The disc is preceded by a single featuring hip-hop pioneer DJ Marley Marl, whom the Retro Kidz will be performing raps and dance moves with on this winter’s international Battle of the DJs tour. With major- label distribution in the woks, as well as several clothing lines, the group has earned props from rap legends like Big Daddy Kane, Doug E. Fresh, and Rakim for their nostalgic nod to the past.”
Tony Shellman, a founder of Parish, which includes hooded sweatshirts with ’80s motifs like turntables and Good Humor ice cream bars, immediately, adopted the Retro Kidz as inspiration when he met them at a Fashion Week party “They’re so energetic and creative,” he said. “People may look at them like they’re crazy, but they don’t care.” Pop Robinson, creative director of Pro Keds, had a similar reaction. Upon noticing them at a Parish party he wondered, “Had I been drinking too much?” But when he realized they were serious, he loved that they were “keeping it real.” The Retro Kidz are negotiating with Pro Keds to appear at special events and in an ad campaign. “They validate a brand like Pro Keds because we’re from the old school,” he said.
I n a world where the quest for the latest and greatest is all consuming, the Retro Kidz, who prefer to rummage through thrift-store bins and scour the Internet for their old-school looks, are an anomaly. While it’s common for white hipsters and fashionistas of all stripes to fill out their wardrobes with vintage finds, the hip-hop generation has looked askance at wearing somebody’s hand-me-downs. “Your typical hip-hop guy doesn’t like anything dusty on their bodies,” said June Ambrose, a stylist for artists like Jay-Z and the author of “Effortless Style: Make Looking Good Look Easy.” “They want everything crisp, fresh and spanking new.” And, she added: “A lot of these guys grew up in the inner city and they had to wear hand-me-downs. So when you can afford to buy your own clothes, the last thing you want to do is wear somebody else’s.” But that doesn’t mean rappers are immune to the ’80s revival, which in recent years has spurred many a fashion-minded woman to don leggings, shoulder-baring sweaters and high-waisted denim. Kanye West, Pharrell and Lil Wayne have appeared at events sporting the behemoth ’80s gold chains, known as dookie ropes. And Lil Jon, who said his iPod is chock-full of ’80s hits, such as MC Lyte’s “Cha Cha Cha,” is hunting for the perfect pair of gold Gazelles, early hip-hop’s answer to Jackie O’s signature oversize sunglasses. He can’t, however, see himself going as far as the Retro Kidz. Asked if he would trade his extra-large jeans for a form-fitting pair of Lee’s unearthed at a thrift store, he gave an emphatic “no.” Since most of the ’80s-loving kids were in diapers when dookie chains were all the rage, they’re giddily living out a fashion moment they mostly know from pictures. “We want to change the game and hit people with something different” says Sur fresh a lot “it’s gonna be about fun, like it was back then”