1980’S

Priyanka Ghosh-21Priyum Tikmani-22Richa Malkani-25

Many Yuppies felt a need to display their wealth, so "dress for success" fashion

became a form of self advertisement and self-promotion, both for those who had

made it and those who hoped someday they would. The street-style looks of the young and penniless were swept aside in favor of an opulent look and the fashion designer

quickly became a superstar. Even the couture and its $30,000 dress was

pronounced cool.The fashion pack has been whispering

abouta 1980s revival for several years now, but for- most of the 1990s, the 1980s look was just too painfully fresh in our minds so nothing really materialized. Lately though, some of the edgier, youth-oriented fashions have shown 1980s inspired designs, along with

1980s originals.

THE YUPPIES

Timeline• 1980

_ • ‘Je suis mod’ dress, showing the influence of the punk aesthetic, designed by Australian designer Jenny Bannister.

– • Rubik’s Cube launched by Ideal Toys (May)

• 1981 • Elizabethan 80s-style evening gown designed by

English Fashion designer Zandra Rhodes

– • ‘Bran cusi’ mini dress designed by Katie Pye in Sydney

– • Royal wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer is watched by millions around the world; in Australia the wedding is televised on ABC and every commercial television station (29 July)

• 1982– • ‘Opal Passion’ outfit designed by Australian

designers Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson– • The Trivial Pursuit board game is released and

quickly becomes an 80s fad

• 1983– • Japanese fashion designer Rei Kawakubo

champions black as a colour for both day and night, challenging traditional notions of glamour in designs for the Comme des Garcons label

– • Karl Lagerfeld uses Australian designer Jenny Kee’s black opal print as feature fabric in his collection for Chanel

– • The Swatch watch, known as ‘fashion that ticks’, is introduced into the market

– • My Little Pony, a line of colorful toy ponies, is launched

•1984• The must-have party frock of the 80s designed by Sydney-based fashion label Studebaker Hawk• Stripes and flowers women’s outfit designed by Australian designer Stuart Membery • Stonewashed jeans first introduced

•1985• Gold and black gown designed by French designer Thierry Mugler• YSL evening gown designed by Yves St Laurent in 1985 • American singer, Madonna, named by The Edge as woman of the decade (February)

•1986• Mouse shoes designed by Japanese shoe designer Tokyo Kumagai

•1987• ‘Aboriginal Paisley’ cotton jersey designed by Bronwyn Bancroft, one of the most successful Aboriginal artists and designers in Australia.

•1988• Hammer pants worn by RAT Party organizer Jac Vidgen

•1989• ‘New Age Business Suit’ designed by Australian designer Peter Tully

Key features of this period

• 1980s fashion tended to be 1980s fashion tended to be rebellious, colorful, and crazyrebellious, colorful, and crazy

• People used fashion to People used fashion to express themselvesexpress themselves

• Clothes often did not matchClothes often did not match• No conservative fashion was No conservative fashion was

followed.followed.• Leggings, legwarmers, and Leggings, legwarmers, and

anything brightly colored was anything brightly colored was in stylein style

Power dressing was a high-maintenance, ultra groomed look so makeup became

heavier and more dramatic. Big, regularly coiffure hair a la Dallas and Dynasty, plus

carefully manicured feet and nails, testified to the existence of lots of dis posable

income, more than enough to finance fre quent and regular visits to top salons.

Hair and makeup Body art

Silhouette : Mid-thigh-Length (mini) skirts, tailored jackets with wide shoulders.Bodice :Fitted, square shoulders.Neckline: Low round, slashed, boat-

shaped, tailored collars and reverseSleeves: Inset, dolman, raglan,

kimono; all worn with padsSkirt : Short clinging mid-thigh-Length

(mini), some mid-calf-lengthFabric : Wool and silk jersey, Lycra,

fine cotton lawn (maxi).Trimmings: Embroidery and appliqué.Color: Bright, vibrant, clashing color

schemes.Accessories : Pull-on hats, berets,

boaters, shoes with stiletto heels and pointed toes, flat pumps

1980 -1984

Couture wear Bridal wear

leisure wear Day wear

Silhouette: Wide padded shoulders, mid-thigh-Length and shorter skirts.Bodice: Fitted, body-hugging, no foundation garment.Neckline: High round, slashed, deep V-shaped, tailored collars.Sleeves: Inset, raglan, dolman, kimono; all worn with padsSkirt: Various, knee-length to upper-thigh-Length, tight, clingingFabric: Wool and silk jersey, Lycra, stretch satin, stretch velvet, linen.Trimmings: Appliqué embroidery, beading, top-stitching, quiltingColor: Bright, electric, off-beat combinations.Accessories: Pull-on hats, outsized jewelry, shoes with stiletto heels and pointed toes, flat pumps, ankle boots.

1985 -1990

Couture wearBridal wear

leisure wear Day wear

Bibliography