Back to the 80s

Canadian Punk Outfit, early 1980s

The punk movement that began in the late 1970s made shock chic. The conspicuously aggressive style of fashion included body piercings, torn jeans, and graffiti covered vintage leather jackets.

Clubwear Outfit made up from Vintage and Found Pieces including Corselette, Charm Bracelets, Bathroom Chain and Rosary, Canadian, c. 1984

Hippies may have invented vintage shopping in the 60s, but by the 80s, vintage had became a chic way to create unique looks.

Purple Velour Jumpsuit, by Betsy Johnson, New York, 1981

The neo-romantic movement was best exemplified by Vivienne Westwood’s 1981 pirate collection of puffed shirts and striped pants - a look copied by designers around the world.

Red Silk Suit with Jodhpurs, by Bern Conrad, New York, c. 1982

By the mid 1980s a romantic nostalgia aesthetic had gone mainstream as fashion borrowed styles from multiple pasts for contemporary looks.

Tartan Wool Jacket by Issey Miyake, with Satin Blouse by Rei Kawakuba, Japan, late 1980s

The Japanese designs were a bold suggestion for global design, aimed at abolishing the polarity between future and past, male and female, and East and West.

Cotton Dress by Kansai Yamamoto, Japan, mid 1980s

Oversized clothes were layered in deconstructed shapes that enveloped the wearer, abolishing form. The excessive space between the body and the textile was called ‘ma’, and the ideal colour palette was created by the “accumulation of shadow”.

Dress by Vivienne Westwood, England, 1983

Despite being accused of attempting to tear down fashion, these Japanese designers reinforced their work by legitimizing their collections on Paris runways. Their aesthetics influenced designers like Vivienne Westwood.

Blue, Black and Brown Aerobics Outfit, late 1980s

Sportswear fabrics, cotton jersey and polyester fleece, were comfortable and inexpensive materials for everyday dresses and tops, while Lycra became popular for sensually highlighting muscle-toned bodies and legs.

High Heeled Sneakers by Norma Kamali, American, 1983

Pairing close fitting with oversized garments to accentuate and hide body assets and faults reflected active wear styles. Similarly, accessories, from running shoe styled pumps to sweat band inspired evening bandeaus were in style.

Sweater Dress, by Marika Contompasis, American, mid 1980s

Print and knit patterned textiles inspired by distant places, or made from imported textiles were infused into fashion alongside accessories sourced from global marketplaces.

Appliqué and Patchwork Coat by Judith Roberts, Mexican, mid 1980s

Wearable Art had its roots with Hippie culture do-it-yourself crafts, but by the 1980s had transformed into a respected style.

Denim Dress by Santana, American, late 1980s

Denim was overhauled from its working class roots into designer clothing. Brooke Shields even declared in 1981 that nothing got between her and her ‘Calvins’. It didn't have to look new either -- it could be bleached, stone-washed, or frayed.

High Waisted Blue Jeans with Victorian Style Tartan Blouse, American, early 1980s

Videos on Much Music and MTV popularized every look, from hair band rocker chic and New Wave to Pop and Rap.

'Jellies' by Thierry Mugler, made in Brazil, 1985

Malls peaked as chain stores carried the most popular trendy brands: Esprit, Member’s Only, Jordache, Converse, Guess, Gloria Vanderbilt, Swatch, Calvin Klein, Wayfarer, Lacoste, Nautica, DKNY, Nike, Reebok, Benneton, Polo…

Sweater by Skovhuus, with design inspired by the Memphis Art Movement, Denmark, mid 1980s

Department stores, which anchored malls, were in decline as their own lines couldn’t compete with trendy brand names.

Black Suede Boots with puff paint design, by La Marca, Italian, c. 1984

The flat soled Pixie boot

Tweed Suit, by Christian Dior, France, early 1980s

Women were climbing the corporate ladder dressed in power suits that mixed masculine broad shouldered jackets, tailored shirts, and trousers, with bastions of femininity – lace, mini skirts, and stiletto heeled shoes.

Dress by Gianfranco Ferre, Italy, late 1980s

The shoulder-pad became the icon of 1980s fashion, creating a look of self-confidence and power. The broad shoulder line also helped to create a slimmer looking waist and curvaceous, hourglass figure.

Suede Pumps by Sacha London, late 1980s

Donna Karan founded her business in 1985 with the concept that every women only needed seven basic garments to dress for success: bodysuit, tights, jacket, skirt, trousers, tailored shirt, and sweater. The high heels brought the power...

Red Satin Suit by Cache, American, mid 1980s

Television played a significant role in promoting high fashion in the 1980s. Greed was good on soapy dramas like Dallas and Dynasty that dazzled viewers with glamorous lifestyles filled with designer clothes, glittering jewellery and sumptuous furs.

Black Taffeta Dress by Victor Costa, American, mid 1980s

Top couturiers like Thierry Mugler, Claude Montana and Valentino produced ‘bridge’ lines – luxury ready-to-wear that was less expensive than couture.

Evening Gown, Valentino couture, Italy, early 1980s

Karl Lagerfeld brought Chanel back from near obscurity in 1983, and in 1987 Christian Lacroix revived the art of frou-frou couture after he became the first haute couturier to open a Paris salon in fifteen years.