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.
Friday Video Pick: “You Belong to the City” by Glenn Frey
When it came time to choose a song to culminate Mirror80’s week-long reflection on Neon Noir, we just couldn’t pass up a track with phrases like “You belong to the night,” “river of darkness” and “neon light.” Add a place on the Miami Vice soundtrack, and we knew we had our Friday Video Pick!
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:
Mid-Week Match-Up: Neon Noir Decor
For today’s Mid-Week Match-Up we continue to celebrate the world of Neon Noir, the genre that sparked films like To Live and Die in L.A. and television shows such as Miami Vice. Yesterday’s blog post explored the elements of Neon Noir. Today we put some of them to the test to create a room right out of the sleek, crime-filled world that the characters of Neon Noir features inhabit.
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.
Friday Video Pick: “Dracula’s Tango” by Toto Coelo
With Halloween rapidly approaching, there was no other choice for today’s Friday Video Pick. This hauntingly likable tune from British New Wave pop group Toto Coelo was not as popular as their first release, “I Eat Cannibals,” but it’s perfect for this time of the year!
An ’80s Interior Design Revival?
Are we headed for a full-fledged 1980s interior design revival? Mirror80’s opinion: Absolutely! And we’re not the only ones who think so. Click on the link below to view the article “Retro Riches” by Stephen Lacey–a piece that illuminates the excitement of an ’80s redux in the area of design and decor:
Mid-Week Match-Up: ’80s Deco Meets Modern Interior Design
Who says ’80s design is all about excess? For today’s Mid-Week Match-Up, we’ve combined an array of finds, both modern and vintage, to envision a sleek, Deco-inspired room with flourishes both ’80s and contemporary. Be on the lookout for a variety of upcoming posts on the inevitable ’80s interior design revival that is sure to hit in the near future, and for more ’80s meets ’30s fun, check out last week’s Mid-Week Match-Up!
Friday Video Picks: ’80s Junk Food Commercials Starring Jenny Lewis and Seth Green!
I was watching the above Skittles commercial from the late ’80s when I spotted child star Jenny Lewis (she’s the one in the glasses who asks “Is this the house that gives Skittles?” at the end of the piece). Surely you remember Jenny Lewis, who appeared in many an ’80s TV commercial, as well as films like The Wizard and Troop Beverly Hills.
