A still from the hit series Miami Vice featuring the Ferrari Testarossa
This past weekend I saw Drive, Nicolas Winding Refn’s action thriller that has been called Neon Noir, or at the very least, noted as reminiscent of the seedy yet stylish action flicks of the ’80s. Think Michael Mann’s Thief, Brian de Palma’s Body Double or William Friedkin’s To Live and Die in L.A. On the small screen, Neon Noir emerged as Miami Vice, the hit series that ran on NBC from 1984-1989. It’s no coincidence that Michael Mann was its executive producer.
This week Mirror80 navigates the back alleys of ’80s crime dramas and the glory that is Neon Noir. The style has grabbed us. Does it make sense that the underbelly of city life would be rolling in designer clothes and interiors? Not necessarily. But the edgy, even masculine look evoked by glass block, neon lighting and Italian sport coats can’t help but be alluring. This look is spotlighted in our Pic Fix images of the week.
Take Miami Vice, which inspired a line of dinner jackets by After Six, signature shoes by Kenneth Cole, and a special clothes section in the Macy’s young men’s department. There was even an electric razor called the Stubble Device, which helped its users create Don Johnson’s “designer stubble” look. In the Miami Vice still below, note the glass block windows, as well as the attire worn by Don Johnson (a.k.a. Crockett, the driver of the Ferrari Testarossa you see above). He appears to be sporting a teal silk blouse. Essential streetwear for the overextended detective:
Edward James Olmos and Don Johnson in a still from Miami Vice
It’s going to be a neon week here at Mirror80. We’ll spotlight Neon Noir and take a look back at some ’80s style essentials, while noting their lasting impact. Oh those opening credits from Drive…
A still from the opening credits of Drive, thanks to the magic of You Tube
In fact, a collection of Miami Vice night driving edits set to the music of Kavinsky, who created the tune featured in the opening credits of Drive, has already been posted to You Tube. Coincidence? We don’t think so!
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