The 80's gave birth to many new fashion crazes which people were enthusiastically following - many of these could be worn all at once in a fun look. These included:
-Leg warmers (popular in clubs)
-Dancewear inspired attire, such as leotards
-Statement accessories such as ray-bans, swatches and headbands
- Crucifix necklaces and jelly shoes (Madonna's influence was strong)
- Miniskirts and skin-tight jeans
- 'Members Only' jackets (branded leather jackets with epaulets)
(Source: julep.com)
(Source: perfumesclub.co.uk) Michael Jackson was one of the many celebrities who took the Ray Ban Wayfarer to the forefront of fashion
Hairstyles were a very big part of the 80's - as a form of self expression and individuality. Perms dominated the female trends, and for men, mullets evolved into a more refined look with the use of hair products.
(Source: totalbeauty.com) Dirty Dancing star Jennifer Grey helped to popularise the perm haircut
(Source: wordpress) Billy Ray Cyrus probably doesn't want his mullet back today
By far the most high-profile style icon of the 80's was Princess Diana. Her wedding to Prince Charles was televised and watched by 750 Million - her dress was designed by David and Elizabeth Emmanuel and was the perfect balance between one of the most iconic wedding dresses in the world, but something which reflected Diana's personality. It was hugely secret and only revealed on the big day - a select few knew about the dress, and they were sworn to secrecy. It had a 25- Foot long train and I think it's so show-stopping and beautifully crafted.
(Source: guim.co.uk)
(Source: sheknows.com)
Diana herself was a style icon - she had a unique sense of fashion, and put new stylish twists on the conservative garments her advisers told her to wear; examples include a backless gown, her padded shoulders and when she war a choker the queen gave to her as a gift - on her head. She had so many quirks and seemed extremely down to earth - she truly was the 'People's Princess'.
(Source: dailymail.com)
(Source: myblackcherry.com) I love how quirky her style was, and that she was brave enough to channel it into her outfits given the strict rules the Royal Family imposes.
The Club craze was going strong in America and Europe - Britain in particular was home to many famous clubs - one of them being Taboo, owned by the influential and brilliant Leigh Bowery. Bowery was a performer through and through - he would live every day as if it was a performance, wearing his creations (he was a self-proclaimed fashion designer, but only designed for himself as he didn't want anyone else to be copies of the 'Bowery look').
(Source: bbook.com) I adore the attention to detail he put into his art - the stars under his eyes are so precise and completely finish the look, and the shimmering eyebrows are so painstakingly applied.
(Source: willyegang.tumblr) His influence remains quite strong - McQueen channelled his look into the makeup for his show 'The Horn of Plenty' and Lady Gaga who was very strongly influenced by this era often references some of his most famous looks.
(Source: ladygagaafter.tumblr)
Taboo was a hub for many new young designers, artists and musicians, such as David Holah and Stevie Stewart of Bodymap, and Boy George. The people who gathered in this place were nicknamed the 'Blitz Kids', as they were frequently featured in the youth-run magazine Blitz. For the Blitz Kids, every day was a show, and they'd frequently make costumes to wear out; fashion was fun, and they were spending their lives in an almost surrealist way.
(Source: fashionsmostwanted.blogspot) David Holah and Stevie Stewart of Bodymap - they created some of the most defining looks of the decade and helped to put Britain back on the fashion map. They reinvented the way we look at clothes and their androgynous shapes still remain strong today.
(Source: isyararchive.tv)
(Source: fashionfox.com) The Blitz Kids/bodymap family in Blitz magazine
In August of 1981 MTV was launched - this had a catapult effect on the way we listen to records and stars had huge success by creating accompanying works of art. A new breed of Pop artists had arrived, and acts such as Madonna, Duran Duran and Michael Jackson received huge success due to their iconic videos which matched their equally iconic music.
(Source: popeighties.com) the original MTV logo
Madonna was a huge deal in the 80's - she was one of, if not the most successful female musicians of that decade, and her career has lasted right up until modern day now. She stormed the music scene with the ever iconic 'Holiday', and it became a popular hit for clubs and on the radio. She became a hugely influential style icon - she worked closely with Jean Paul Gaultier which resulted in her most shocking and infamous look - the conical bra corset. She had a very eclectic sense of style which transferred to many of the fashion trends in the 80's.
The famous 'Like A Virgin' video.
(Source: fashioneditoratlarge.com) Jean Paul Gaultier's conical creation for Madonna - it's a look which is as well known as her name.
(Source: fanpop.com) Someone has kindly broken down the key elements of her 80's accessories
Another icon, perhaps the most iconic of all time, was Michael Jackson. Referred to the King of Pop, he took his performances to new heights with beautifully artistic and theatrical music videos; the most famous of them all being 'Thriller'
The full-length 14 minute spectacle that is Thriller.
(Source: mjworld.net) His style was influential and was copied all round the world
(Source: popeighties.com) Though I grew up in the 2000's, this band was one of the soundtracks to my childhood- Duran Duran were part of the British music invasion of the USA and had many themed albums which sold extremely well. They were considered part of the New Romantic scene along with those such as Spandeau Ballet.
Their video for the hit single 'Girls On Film' had to be censored due to the explicit images of women. There was a 'Day version', which was censored, and a 'night version', which was uncensored.
Spurred on by the individualism of the 70's, the 80's was a time of huge social change; people were dressing not only to impress, but also power dressing; to succeed in a world which had much competition and hardship.
(source: dailymail) People were really quite negative towards Margaret Thatcher but what they don't realise is that she wasn't the one who caused the problem
At the start of the 80's the world was in a recession; thanks to Baroness Thatcher, Britain was pulled out of it and thus began a period of inspiration and aspiration. Everyone became optimistic and wanted to spend their money in new ways, and so forms of leisure became greatly varied.
(Source: thedoctorwhobar.blogspot) Dr Who star Tom Baker relaxing on the beach
Technology was rapidly advancing - computers were starting to be used in business and some homes; this opened up the way we saw the world and worked.
(Source: fujitsu.com) computers in the 80's would be laughed at by some now but they were at the forefront of modern technology.
Arcade games were also extremely popular - having been developed in the 70's, games such as Pong, Space Invaders and Pacman were being played all round the world; most achieved iconic status and have made their way back into modern game play today.
http://www.freeinvaders.org You can play space invaders for free here!
(Source: wikimedia)
Just like Space Invaders, you can play Pacman online for free too http://www.freepacman.org/welcome.php
(Source: timgdigitalmarketingsolutions.com) He ain't afraid of no ghosts!
In the 1970's, Dian Von Furstenburg pioneered a new garment; the wrap dress. Inspired by her divorce, she wanted to create a dress which was classy but at the same time sexually liberating for women to wear; it was worn by icons such as the great Farrah Fawcett, and has remained a classic staple right up until modern day - even the First Lady Michelle Obama wears them!
The 70's was a pool of different music genres - pop and rock were the dominating genres, with clashing subcultures such as Disco (Abba), Glam Rock (Queen, David Bowie) and Hard Rock (Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath). Different areas influenced different styles and fashions; Bowie, one of the most influential musicians and style icons of all time, led forward a generation of dressing with flair and individuality right into the 80's. Queen's theatrics were embraced by the same groups, and so items such as jumpsuits became extremely popular, tying in well with the Disco subculture.
Abba's Dancing queen - jumpsuits were favoured in this band's look
Bowie performing on Top of The Pops - His glitzy style has stayed with many new pop stars such as Lady Gaga.
Queen's timeless Bohemian Rhapsody - it's such a genius song
The Hard Rock music of the time (predecessor to the Punk Revolution) was highly influential to the people more active in the Rocker years; as Rockers slowly developed into the Punk Subculture, bands such as Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin were creating heavier, more rebellious music, which in turn lead the new punks to be more rebellious with their fashion; mohawks and shaved heads were trending, along with the materials such as fishnet, leather and anything ripped; it was hanging off their bodies casually, and they had a tough look about them.
Black Sabbath's 70's hit 'Paranoid'
(Source: suandiamo.blogspot) The harsh look of the punks is very hard-hitting but at the same time key elements of their style has been incorporated into our modern time fashion.
