Hey there all you ski bunnies! On a recent trip to Urban Outfitters I was stunned to see that this year’s hipster winter fashion is all about ’80s Southwestern-style motifs! While certain colors (hello mauve and teal) have been intentionally eliminated, the trend seems to revel in an outdoorsy, rugged vibe, complemented by earthy colors with a hint of turquoise.
Friday Video Picks: ’80s Teen Commercials
We conclude our week-long focus on products and advertisements targeting ’80s teens with two commercials that celebrate all things bright and distracting! Let’s start with the following clip, an ad for Magic Girl perfume. In a fruity whirlwind of confusion, this piece puts the competition to shame with images of spellbound, obsessed teens. And some pretty wicked ’80s fashion!
Crazy for Caboodles!
Ladies of the ’80s yearned for oodles of Caboodles. Or maybe just one good one to stylishly carry their grooming products. These beauty organizers by Caboodles of California were packed with storage options, including pull-out trays in a variety of configurations. And of course, each case had a built-in mirror, the ultimate primping essential.
1980s Album Cover Fashion
When it comes to ’80s fashion, it’s hard to beat the album cover art of Duran Duran’s 1982 release Rio and Heaven 17’s 1981 release Penthouse and Pavement. Using the artwork of Patrick Nagel, Duran Duran spotlights big hair, big ruffle and extra big earring trends that graced the fashion realm of the “more is more” decade. And how perfectly does Heaven 17 evoke the empty yet style-filled world of ’80s corporate life through the artwork of Ray Smith?
’80s Glam-Punk Picks
This week Mirror80 spotlights the style we call Glam-Punk, that striking combination of formality and rebelliousness that only the ’80s could pull off. The beauty of the look is in the way decadent fabrics were brought down to Earth by geometric accessories, jagged edges and playful motifs.
The World of Jem: So Glam, So Punk
Today Mirror80 profiles the world of Jem, a Hasbro/Marvel Productions/Sunbow Productions cartoon series that ran from 1985-1988. Japanese animation studio Toei Doga contributed the animation, while advertising agency Griffin-Bacall Advertising (who founded Sunbow Productions) created the series’ 65 episodes. And boy did they put their stamp on the look of the show!
Pic Fix: Jem and the Holograms
I remember the childhood Halloween I dressed up as a punk rocker. I had colorful plastic bracelets, black netted accents, and of course, purple hairspray from an aerosol can. It’s in this very spirit that Mirror80 takes a week to reflect on ’80s glam-punk. No, we’re not referring to the music genre also known as glitter punk. We’re talking about that ’80s visual/fashion-forward style that combines elements of punk style with ’80s glitz. It’s the reason why characters from the hit cartoon series Jem can wear ripped clothing and Kiss-reminiscent face paint while lounging in interior spaces that channel the set of Dynasty.
If You Like Neon Noir, Be Sure to Check Out…
This week Mirror80 spotlights the genre of Neon Noir. We kicked it all off Monday by connecting Neon Noir television and films of the ’80s with its recent revival courtesy of Nicolas Winding Refn’s Drive. Tuesday we explored elements of Neon Noir, from ’80s Deco style flourishes to repeated shots of city skylines. Yesterday we brought you Neon Noir decor, complete with the leather sofa and potted palm. Today we share with you our top picks for exploring the world on Neon Noir, from film and music to style statements:
Elements of Neon Noir
This week Mirror80 celebrates the seedy glam world that flourishes in the genre of Neon Noir. If you’ve ever watched an episode of Miami Vice or seen ’80s action films like Body Double and To Live and Die in L.A., you know what we’re talking about. And if you’re following the hype surrounding the recent theatrical release of Nicolas Winding Refn’s Drive, then you can understand many Neon Noir enthusiasts’ excitement over the revival of this visually rich genre. Today we delve into the crime-infested streets and designer-infested settings to pinpoint some key elements of Neon Noir.
Pic Fix: Drive, Miami Vice and Neon Noir
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.
