Known as simply The Beat outside of North America, The English Beat rose to popularity amidst Britain’s ska revival (alongside the mod revival)…So the ’60s-influenced fashions in the video for 1982’s “Save It for Later” shouldn’t be a surprise.
DIY Project: The ’80s Vanity
A little vanity never hurts… Watch a teen flick from the 1980s, and you just might catch a glimpse of a dressing table–or vanity–in the background, packed with knickknacks and collectibles. Mirror80 made a go of it using finds from Goodwill, Savers and a local antique mall. Total cost: roughly $25.
“No No No” by Nancy Nova: Friday Video Pick
I have my brother Andy to thank for this one! The video for British singer-songwriter Nancy Nova’s “No No No” features ’80s Deco accessories, a plethora of shadows created by mini-blinds, asymmetrical hair, and some of the most intense close-ups you may ever experience. A little ’80s glam for your Happy Friday…
The Ultimate ’80s Interior Design Guide
This ’80s-fabulous interior decorating book by Mary Gilliatt is the real thing–published in the ’80s, it authentically recommends ’80s decorating techniques! The result: an honest, edgy look at design conventions from this incomparable decade. Here are some of the bolder highlights:
“Wouldn’t It Be Good” by Nik Kershaw: Friday Video Pick
Nik Kershaw’s surprisingly sci-fi video from 1984 combines a 40s/50s retro feel with a glowing chroma key space suit. Add a humanoid alien with a hairdo that rivals Val Kilmer’s in Real Genius, plus visual and narrative elements that conjure memories of spacemen-themed flicks like 1976’s The Man Who Fell to Earth and 1984’s Starman, and you have this five- minute celebration of science and music.
Shiny ’80s Purses
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.
