They’re a group of friends pulled together by their interest in creating eclectic fashions, and they decide to create together, and put on shows.  Eventually, the shows morph into multi-disciplinary entertainment events that drew crowds in some swank venues.

It might sound like something you’ve heard about locally, centering around the likes of groups like prime.all and the Loyalty Conglomerate.

But it’s not.  It’s Friends of the Rag, and it’s a group of locals who formed in 1972.

Indian Owen put together a talk about the group on Jan. 9 at the Tacoma Shool of the Arts, illustrated by some examples from her 5,000-slide collection that illustrated the history of the group.  Initially, they banded together to put on street-wear shows in the traditional fashion, charging money for entry to the shows, and even optimistically pricing the clothing, intending to sell it.

They were not just creative with the clothing, they were creative with the events, which had names (and themes matching the names) like “Dynamite Dud,s” “Hung at the Henry,” the “Prodigal Rag Returns,” “Roller Rags,” and “In A Somewhat Random Fashion.”

At about 1976, the group became more interested in the costuming side of wearable art, and the performance side of showing the art.  They did one show at Bumbershoot, “As the Rag Turns.”

“Space Western Hoedown in a Martian Fashion” marked another point at which the group was really more about the ensemble performance than the individual items of clothing.

But the individual items of clothing kept evolving creatively, as well.  In 1988, when the group put together “Night of the Living Thread,” Owen put together a trio of pieces notable for their amazing bead work-helmets, with tubing (and tusks) marking them as not-quite human.  Their names, “Planet Clair,” “Hullabaloo,” and “Shindig” further emphasize the nature of the pieces. These three pieces were joined by those of Owens’ friend Corky.  My favorite was “Olive Oil” with pimiento-tipped green pumps and a T-shirt that proclaimed “Extra Virgin.”  This piece was for the event, “Cheesy Nights and Saucy Women,” and was joined by “Spaghetti Western” and a circle-dress featuring pizza.

As the evening progressed, I couldn’t help but feel the whole interconnected, “full circle” vibe.  These indie designers had done, 20-plus years ago, something vital, and fun, and not at all unlike what our talented and indie Tacoma designers are doing now.

That made me happy.

What made me kind of sad, was that those who most emulate the creative spirit of the Friends of the Rag weren’t present. â€" Jessica Corey-Butler