I spent the evening of October 26th at Austin, Texas’ Scottish Rite Theatre, a historic site that manages to be grand yet intimate. Nearly every seat in the house was packed. To my right, a group of 10 women in their thirties squealed like school girls while passing around a picture of Duran Duran bassist John Taylor, who would be taking the stage within the next few minutes. Yes, it was a speaking engagement and book signing to celebrate the release of Taylor’s memoir In the Pleasure Groove: Love, Death & Duran Duran. As its title suggests, this book is as much about life as it is about John Taylor’s days with the band. And for me, the evening of October 26th was as much about reflecting on creativity and the passage of time as it was about seeing one of my childhood idols in person.
Pic Fix: Our Favorite Images
For today’s Pic Fix, we’ve grabbed our favorite images from past Mirror80 blog posts for a snapshot of 1980s style. From a colorful dessert to a celebration of album cover graphics, these pics reflect the vibrancy and geometry of ’80s design.
Happy Holidays from Mirror80!
However you celebrate the season, may your days be merry and bright. Spend some time with the people who are important to you, and set aside a moment or two to rejuvenate. Have a colorful Holiday!
Friday Video Pick: ’80s Space Toy Commercials
Ever owned a Care Bear, a Barbie, or a My Little Pony? What about a G.I. Joe action figure or a Transformer? These well-known, well-loved items are often the first that pop in our heads when we think of 1980 toys. Today’s post isn’t about these toys. Who here remembers the Moon Dreamers or the Silver Hawks? If “yes,” you’ll love this trip down memory lane. If “no,” get ready for some action…
Let’s Hear it for the Toy!: ’80s Toy Favorites
This week Mirror80 reflects on the captivating power of 1980s toys. They inspired piggy banks full of change (a.k.a. purchasing power) when we were young. Now that we’re older, they’re inspiring many a visit to Etsy and eBay, where we’re buying them back, in some cases for more money! Today we begin by taking a look at just how these relics of the past were so, well… rad. And I’m not just talking about the nostalgia factor–people who weren’t kids in the ’80s seek out these unforgettable items. We ask why!
Pic Fix: 1980s Toys
This week at Mirror80 we celebrate the plastic glory of 1980s toys. An overabundance of pastels and metallics populated this kiddie wonderland, as did a certain punk edge at times, no doubt overflowing from the world of MTV. From crucial pop culture staples to flash-in-the-pan products that were little more than copycats of established favorites, the offerings of ’80s toy aisles put their stamp on young minds and influenced child-friendly merchandise for years to come…
Mirror80 Wishes You a Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving from Mirror80! Today’s visuals are courtesy of Etsy shop VintageStickerLove. The perfect ’80s Thanksgiving statement (a bit of Autumn plus a bit of glitter), these vintage leaf stickers from Stickopotamus showcase a variety of Fall hues. I’m also a fan of the shop’s profile, which recalls the memory of a lost sticker collection and the joys of rebuilding it piece by piece today. Because it’s never too late to revel in the simple pleasures of youth…
Mid-Week Match-Up: ’80s Fall Moments
Fall is definitely in the air! For this week’s Mid-Week Match-Up, we’ve collected screen shots from ’80s films featuring Fall-fabulous moments. In fact, the season of Fall played a crucial role in all three featured films: Baby Boom, When Harry Met Sally, and St. Elmo’s Fire.
Mid-Week Match-Up: ’80s Campus Movies
Fall is in the air, and we’ve taken the lead from a plethora of ’80s comedies that sent audiences back to school. Yes, it’s time to revisit college! This week’s match-up is courtesy of three college campus comedies: Revenge of the Nerds (1984), Back to School (1986), and Campus Man (1987).
Kids Incorporated: The Best of the Musical Numbers
If you were a child in the ’80s, you will most likely remember the hit television show Kids Incorporated, which featured a cast of child and teen singers performing the pop hits of the time. But they weren’t just singing and dancing–musical numbers were integrated into an overarching story about the challenges and adventures of tweens and teens, such as making new friends and navigating that first crush. The show ran from 1984-1993 and was the star-making start of singers and actors like Martika, Fergie, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Mario Lopez.
