They were bright. They made a statement. They were leather. Or snakeskin. Or vinyl. It almost didn’t matter, as long as they were eye-catching. And now they’re back!
“Behind the Wheel” by Depeche Mode: Friday Video Pick
His major motion picture was #1 at the box office this past weekend, but Anton Corbijn’s achievements go beyond directing The American. An accomplished photographer and music video director, Corbijn directed many a video for Depeche Mode and other noteworthy groups such as Echo & the Bunnymen and U2. Check out the video for Depeche Mode’s “Behind […]
’80s Deco Ceramics
The angles, bold lines and graceful curves of the Art Deco movement returned in the 1980s, not only through art and graphic design, but in home décor as well. This Deco resurgence often appeared in the form of ceramics…
“Rip It Up” by Orange Juice: Friday Video Pick
For our first Friday Video Pick, check out this 1983 hit by Scottish post-punk band Orange Juice. Resist the temptation to break out the foil and cellophane. But even more interesting than the space age feel is the contrast between the video’s space ship setting and scenes of band members roaming the streets in ’80s Hawaiian shirts, white pants and Panama hats. And they pull it off. Quite well. This video has a little something for everyone…
’80s Flat-Beaded Necklaces
Coin beads. Lentil beads. Saucer beads. Call them what you will, these flat beads added a dash of colorful plastic to many an outfit of the 1980s. I’d all but forgotten about them until an Ebay search for ‘80s jewelry produced a flat-beaded necklace amidst a heap of selections, from toy-like charm necklaces to rubber bracelets.
’80s Decor That Stands the Test of Time
In our last post, expert vendor Bill Goodpasture from Austin’s Room Service Vintage helped us wade through some obstacles facing collectors of ‘80s furniture and home décor items.
While some 1980s pieces are made of less than sturdy material and feature color combinations that people either love or hate, the relatively short time span separating the ‘80s from today may also be responsible for the fact that we are still hard-pressed to find many houses decked out wall to wall in 1980s décor.
An ’80s Interior Design Comeback?
So why go (back) there? Good question. One I’ve heard a lot lately. While a 1980s fashion revival has been well established, an official ’80s comeback has yet to hit the world of interior design. Furniture from the 1950s and ’60s is white hot at vintage shops and antique malls. Even pieces from the ’70s have their appeal, at times for their look and at times for their kitsch.
Why ’80s Design?, Why Now?
Welcome to Mirror 80, a design blog with a focus on 1980s fashion and interiors! This first post is part reflection, part looking ahead…
