THE 80s ARE BACK, WHAT TO BUY?  by Nicole La Bay

(Rena Lange, David Hayes, Carolina Herrera, Sacha, I-Magnin)

You will find Nicole La Bay Antique & Vintage Treasures here:

Everyone was so relieved to leave the noisy 80s behind, and move to smoother times, but guess what? They're back, and as loud as ever!

So you can sort out the true spirit of the 80s, here's a little guide featuring the main characteristics of that roaring decade.

1. The return of Pop

Warhol's "Factory" is still active, but already connects with a young NYC generation that reads comics, and starts experimenting on the computer.

As a result the 80s are Pop, but contrary to the 60s, they're a screen-oriented Pop, with streamlined shapes in primary colors, mostly set against a black background. (Pic Jean Paul Gaultier)

2. The explosion of design

Everything that used to be just functional or family oriented, now gets "designed", that is strongly structured, with a minimal palette of colors, and the visibility of a signal.

From Bauhaus coffee bags, to women's jackets with exponential shoulders, everything in the 80s gets a shape lift! (Pic Donna Gray)

3. Rise of the international scene

Helped by prosperous economics and a desire to leave the Post War times, an amazing generation of Japanese Designers is born : Miyake, Kenzo, Matsuda, Yamamoto, Comme des Garcons, who turn garments into Modern sculptures.

Versace and Armani in Italy, Ann Demeulemeester in Belgium, complement this Fashion tsunami with mass produced luxury products.
New York turns Soho warehouses into trendy stores for the new princes of Fashion.

In France, major names open Pret a Porter boutiques next or inside their own Couture houses. Cartier imposes the "must", Chanel reigns, and a few adventurers like Cardin, inundate the international market with products often far below their original line.. (Pic Yamamoto)

4. The omnipresence of the Logo

The traditional Couturiers who were catering to a small, exclusive clientele, where everyone knew everyone, had a simple, chic label inside their garments.Their craftsmanship and style went "without saying".

However, with the rise of the "yuppies", where no one knew anyone, and new Designers appearing everyday, came confusion, and every name needed to be "said", even shouted.

Which explains the omnipresent Logo.

From the beginning of the 80s, the Logo inflates itself like the frog who wanted to look like the bull! Bigger and bigger, louder and louder, reproducing itself  like crazy cells, in plaques, rings, chains, zippers, embossed surfaces, until purses become booths of dangling fetishes! (Pic Hanae Mori)

SO, WHAT TO BUY?

1. Strong, sculptural shapes:

ultra cropped jackets, minis, oversized shoulders

2. Over-contrasted color palettes:

Dayglo pinks, yellows or greens outlined with very wide black trims

3. Streamlined jewelry with colored rhinestones. 

Geometric or primitive shapes set with unpronged jumbo jewels

4. Pop Imagery

Gaudy Comics cut outs, oversized Photos or closeups applied on industrial fabrics 

And basically anything in vivid colors that stands out against a black or dark gray background, and flashes like a road sign.

A road sign that would say: 80s!

You will find Nicole La Bay Antique & Vintage Treasures here:

(c) Nicole La Bay 2006