Last week Mirror80 published Part 1 of our interview with the lovely Annabel Schofield, an author and producer who enjoyed an acting and international modeling career in the 1980s and 1990s. Ms. Schofield shared her thoughts on ’80s fashion, and she reflected on what it was like to act and model in the midst of the decade of decadence! Today, Annabel discusses her ’80s memories, as well as her serialized novel The Cherry Alignment, which semi-autobiographically explores the life of an actress in 1980s-90s Hollywood. Her blog of the same name is a wealth of information on 1980s fashion, film and music. Read on for more fabulous ’80s details…
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The ’80s Connection: Author, Actress and International Model Annabel Schofield
I’ve recently had the pleasure of corresponding with the lovely Annabel Schofield, an international fashion model of the ’80s who starred in ad campaigns for the likes of Revlon, Gianni Versace, Yves St. Laurent and Levi’s. And yes, you probably remember her from an iconic commercial in which she famously uttered: “Excuse me, are those Bugle Boy jeans you’re wearing?” But there’s much more to Ms. Schofield than meets the eye, including her serial novel The Cherry Alignment, which semi-autobiographically explores the life and times of an actress working in Hollywood in the ’80s and ’90s. In fact, this novel began as a screenplay, and there’s no doubt that it would make the perfect long-overdue HBO series with a focus on the decade of decadence!
Aquarium Plants Make an ’80s Statement
Why is it that I’ve always associated aquariums and sea life with the 1980s? Could it be movies like Jaws 3, with its wonderful ’80s Sea World setting? Or maybe it’s the plethora of dolphin figurines and other sea life-themed decor from that time period. Or the fact that my family had an aquarium as a kid, so I spent many an ’80s weekend picking out fish and accessories for the tank. Whatever it is, I am clearly preoccupied with aquarium plants. Yes, the fake kind. After viewing today’s selections from Petco, perhaps you’ll agree that faux foliage of the undersea nature can truly make an ’80s statement!
’80s Pastel Power
While researching pastel interior design for another article, I came across images of sky-themed wallpaper, flamingos and other ’80s-fabulous motifs. To my surprise, the source of origin for these pics was a 2010 article from The Guardian! And it seems some of the featured products are still available for purchase. Because when you combine a pink bird with a Memphis-Milano color palette, it just doesn’t get any better…
Are the ’80s the Next Mid-Century?
Today we travel back in time, but not to the ’80s… Our date of choice is May 13, 2007, when the New York Times published an article titled “The Next Mid-Century.” Guess which decade was the focus? You got it–the decade of decadence! In the article, writer David Colman discussed ’80s designers/decorators like Karl Springer, Angelo Donghia, Charles Hollis Jones and Michael Taylor. In fact, these designers often had pieces custom-made for their clients. And yes, it’s still out there, ready to be collected by a new set of design enthusiasts!
Friday Video Pick: “So Unreal” by LA Vampires Featuring Matrix Metals
Today’s Friday Video Pick is a new piece that’s exploding with ’80s motifs. Grids, LaserDiscs, Trapper Keeper-ish graphic design and references to artist Patrick Nagel are a few of the many 1980s flourishes packed into this six-minute style fest featuring LA Vampires. There’s even a plasma ball that may as well have been plucked from the shelves of The Sharper Image in all of its electrified glory.
Beauty Is Embarrassing
This weekend at the South by Southwest Film Festival I was lucky to see Neil Berkeley’s documentary Beauty Is Embarrassing. This film tells the engaging story of artist Wayne White, who designed sets and puppets for the hit ’80s children’s show Pee Wee’s Playhouse. But White’s work on this beloved series is just the beginning of his amazing career…
Friday Video Pick–DIY Makeover Edition: “Brand New Girl” by Julie Brown
Mirror80 wraps up DIY week with a makeover-themed music video from the movie Earth Girls Are Easy starring Geena Davis and Julie Brown. Stylistically, the film channels that magical blend of Mid-Century style and ’80s Modern flair. In the video for “Brand New Girl,” characters dance around a beauty shop that combines elements of 1950s decor and 1980s motifs a la Memphis-Milano design. Let the film’s sets inspire you and the makeover mood empower you to embrace DIY magic in the realms of interior design and fashion.
Friday Video Pick: The Secret of My Success Theatrical Trailer
Today we bring you the trailer from the 1987 film The Secret of My Success starring Michael J. Fox and Helen Slater. In this comedy, we see Michael J. Fox’s Brantley Foster go from Kansas farm boy to corporate executive. His methods are a bit unconventional, and that’s where the drama begins. While Michael J. Fox IS this movie, we can’t help but notice the shiny backdrops that gleam behind his center-stage antics. In fact, ’80s corporate life has never looked so luminous.
Pic Fix: Blade Runner
This week has been a long time coming… Those who’ve known me for awhile are well aware of my obsession with the 1982 film Blade Runner. Ridley Scott’s vision of the future was a cinematic breakthrough, and many agree that no film since has matched its layered, detailed depiction of a breathtaking, cluttered dystopia. This week at Mirror80, we’ll delve into the world of this sci-fi masterpiece, exploring its look, including the costume and set design (and ways to incorporate its style into fashion and interior design). Get ready to revel in the cyberpunk, tech noir wonder that is Blade Runner!
