As we delve into the realm of fashion history, we’ll be revisiting a decade marked by boldness and extravagance. We’re taking a trip down memory lane to the 1980s, a vibrant era that gave birth to some of the most iconic fashion designers who have shaped the industry as we know it today.
To gain a better understanding of the influence of these 1980s fashion designers, let’s take a closer look at some key figures and their contributions:
- Giorgio Armani: Italian elegance personified. He was instrumental in redefining power dressing in the 80s.
- Vivienne Westwood: The punk rebellion queen. She challenged conventional norms with her avant-garde designs.
- Miuccia Prada: Architect of modern luxury. Her minimalist approach introduced new sophistication in fashion.
- Yves Saint Laurent: Advocate for diversity. He made significant strides in promoting inclusivity on the runway.
- Ralph Lauren: Embodiment of American style. His timeless pieces encapsulated classic U.S. aesthetics.
- Rei Kawakubo: The unconventional innovator. Her radical designs revolutionized style and perception of beauty.
The profound impact of these fashion designers throughout the 1980s era cannot be overstated.
A Journey through Fashion History
The 1980s were indeed a remarkable era within the fashion industry. These designers have left indelible marks, not only in terms of their innovative creations but also in shaping societal views and trends.
Through their groundbreaking work, they challenged traditional norms, promoted diversity, and influenced global fashion trends that continue to resonate today.
From Giorgio Armani’s elegant power suits to Vivienne Westwood’s punk revolution, the 1980s fashion scene was as varied as it was groundbreaking.
Overview of 1980s Fashion Era
The 1980s were transformative.
An empowered era, it echoed with the sounds of MTV tunes, the NYSE bell, and the mechanical clatter of computer keyboards.
Fashion took a revolutionary turn too, with Lycra highlighting curves and power suits coming into existence.
Power Dressing Takes Center Stage
‘Power Dressing,’ a term coined by Vogue in their October 1985 issue, encapsulated this era perfectly.
Women wore their ambition with pride, towering over men in their high fashion attire.
It was more than just dressing well; it was about being noticed and gaining control.
Born of the Power Suit
The previous pliable polyester suits gave way to stronger, angular versions in the ’80s.
Fueled by a desire for authority, women meant business and they dressed for it too.
Suits crafted by esteemed designers were more than clothes – they were armours of femininity.
The Emergence of Yuppie Fashion
The term ‘Yuppie’ emerged in 1980 through an article in Chicago magazine.
Representing young urban professionals, this style was reflective of capitalism while provoking thought more than sex appeal.
Japanese Influence on Fashion
The Japanese influence on fashion became hard to ignore in ’80s.
Their novel approach to dark, oversized clothes inspired many a conversation across the fashion industry.
They revolutionized the way layering and coloring was seen in fashion circles.
In all, the ’80s was a decade of transformation through the power of fashion.
Fashion mirrored the booming economy, progressing social changes, and cultural shifts.
When we look back, it is clear how significant this era was in shaping today’s fashion landscape.
Profile: Giorgio Armani
Born July 11, 1934, in Piacenza, Italy, Giorgio Armani stands as one of fashion’s most distinguished leaders. His interest in fashion sparked during a vacation in Milan between his military service and two years of medical studies. There, he got his first taste of the fashion industry at a department store.
Fast forward to the mid-1970s, Armani launched his eponymous brand which quickly shot to fame for its understated yet body-conscious clothing. Understanding that fashion doesn’t stop at clothes, he expanded his empire to include makeup, housewares, hotels and even restaurants.
- Birth Year: 1934
- Birth City: Piacenza
- Birth Country: Italy
- Nationality: Italian
- Astrological Sign: Cancer
Despite his success, Armani remains down-to-earth, viewing himself as “the stable boy” of this luxurious empire. Significant family members like his sister Rosanna and nieces Silvana and Roberta also contribute to the enterprise.
With over three decades in business, Armani sustains a longevity few designers have experienced. His status in fashion is often compared to industry greats like Coco Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent.
“I believed in getting rid of the artifice of clothing. I believed in neutral colors,” Armani asserted about his design philosophy. This vision enabled him to design timeless pieces that transcended fleeting trends.
The fashion maestro’s secret? Creating one perfect dress tailored to suit one customer. He believed in the liberating power of minimalist, yet elegant designs. And it’s this philosophy that continually cements his brand in the hearts of fashion enthusiasts globally.
Impact of Vivienne Westwood
Who was Vivienne Westwood?
Born on April 8, 1941, in Glossop, Derbyshire, England, Vivienne Westwood was a renowned British fashion designer.
She is famous for her daring and innovative clothing lines.
What was Vivienne’s contribution to the punk movement?
Vivienne, together with her partner Malcolm McLaren, played a significant role in extending the punk music wave into fashion.
Their designs were notorious for their rebellious antiestablishment messages.
What were some of their signature pieces?
Their customized T-shirts, ripped and filled with shocking slogans and graphics, became instantly popular.
The bondage trousers—black pants featuring straps inspired by sadomasochistic attire—were remarkably sought after as well.
What impact did Westwood have on Britain’s fashion landscape?
Their boutique—variously named Too Fast to Live, Too Young to Die; Sex; and finally Seditionaries—was a major hotspot for youth fashion.
Their erotically charged fashion image sparked outrage amongst Britain’s conservative press.
What inspired Westwood’s collections?
Westwood’s design took inspiration from classical sources such as the paintings of Jean-Honoré Fragonard, François Boucher, and Thomas Gainsborough.
In addition to historical British attire including the 19th-century bustle, which she incorporated under elaborate knitwear dresses and tartan miniskirts.
What were Vivienne’s later accomplishments?
Vivienne built an independent mini fashion empire and operated several boutiques.
In 2004, a retrospective dedicated to her creations, “Vivienne Westwood: 34 Years in Fashion,” was opened at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
What honors did Vivienne Westwood receive?
She was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1992 and advanced to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2006.
Miuccia Prada: Turning Heads
Renowned fashion designer, Miuccia Prada, has a complex relationship with the commercial aspects of her industry. Despite being inordinately successful, she often grapples with the business side of fashion.
Her base is an apartment in Milan where she was raised. It’s an interesting blend of tradition and modernity, much like the creator herself.
The residence stands out with its contemporary decor and love for art. Large, modern paintings create color blocks on the walls, cohabiting with jewel-toned upholstery.
A Damien Hirst vitrine filled with surgical instruments lives in the gallery area, revealing Prada’s intellectual edge.
The house vibrates with an aesthetic that speaks to a refined sense of style and a commendable taste in literature. Her current reads range from political fiction to philosophy.
| Activity | Influence | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Fashion Designing | Revolutionizing modern fashion | Prada Fashion House |
| Literature | The cabal of intellect and creativity | An immense collection of books |
| Art appreciation | Influences design and style aesthetics | The Prada Foundation, a platform for contemporary art education |
| Social awareness | Elevates work beyond mere design influence | Efforts to be more politically effective |
| Collaborations | Breathes fresh life into her creations | Successful partnership with Simons, Maroccan-born artist Meriem Bennani, etc. |
| Table 1: Miuccia Prada’s Diverse Influences and Contributions | ||
This chart offers an insight into the diverse influences and contributions of this multifaceted personality.
Prada admits to being very aware of her age but refuses to let it dampen her creative drive. Her collaborations, including her recent one with Simons, prove that she still is the trendsetter in the fashion world.
The fashion designer has proved that she’s more than just her sartorial elegance. The Prada Foundation serves as a testament to her intellectual curiosity and love for art.
Despite her golden reign in the fashion industry, Miuccia’s hunger for perfection remains unsatiated. She strives to be more than just ‘decent’—a testament to her unwavering commitment to excellence.
Embrace of Diversity: Yves Saint Laurent
In his time, Yves Saint Laurent was a beacon of diversity in the fashion world.
He tirelessly pushed the boundaries of societal norms and expectations through his innovative designs.
His collections often included pieces that blurred gender lines, providing an inclusive space for everyone.
- Androgynous Fashion: Yves Saint Laurent frequently incorporated elements of masculinity into his womenswear, challenging traditional gender norms.
- Cultural Appropriation: He was one of the first Western designers to openly borrow from non-European cultures, promoting multicultural appreciation within fashion.
- LGBTQ+ Representation: While there’s no explicit mention in the V&A museum, Laurent’s life as an openly gay man brought much-needed visibility to the LGBTQ+ community.
- Social Awareness: His designs often made bold political statements, urging society to embrace diversity and acceptance.
Rather than sticking to the status quo, Laurent chose to create an inclusive experience with his designs.
This fashion mogul not only welcomed diversity but also celebrated it through every stitch and pattern.
Ralph Lauren: Timeless American Style
Ralph Lauren’s philosophy is centered around producing items not just with enduring aesthetic appeal, but also a lasting impact.
Their commitment to timelessness extends beyond fashion, branching into social responsibility and sustainability.
Ralph Lauren empowers employees to uphold this credo, enabling them to make a difference in their communities through charitable endeavors.
“Timeless by Design is how we apply our Company’s Purpose to our approach to citizenship and sustainability.”
The brand recognizes the enriching contributions of Indigenous communities to American culture, which they honor through active cultivation of relationships with Native American and Indigenous organizations.
This respect for cultural diversity is further reflected in Ralph Lauren’s “Artist in Residence” program.
This initiative invites skilled artisans from diverse backgrounds to collaborate with Ralph Lauren’s design teams.
The project provides a dynamic platform for the sharing of skills, resources, and trade techniques.
The company’s commitment to sustainability is epitomized in the luxury Cashmere Sweater, a Cradle-to-Cradle-certified staple of their collection.
This iconic piece exemplifies true luxury: not just based on beauty or quality, but also sustainably created for enduring wear.
In partnership with Re-Verso, a leading textile production company, Ralph Lauren has also implemented an innovative recycling program for 100% cashmere.
The initiative enables consumers to easily return end-of-use cashmere items for recycling, upholding Ralph Lauren’s dedication to a more circular apparel industry.
Revolutionizing Style: Rei Kawakubo
Kawakubo is known for her avant-garde designs, renowned for challenging conventional beauty standards and fashion norms. This Japanese fashion designer innovatively blends the space between boundaries, creating a unique aesthetic.
The Costume Institute’s 2017 exhibition showcased around 140 examples of Kawakubo’s Comme des Garçons womenswear collections. Dated from the early 1980s to recent collections, this exhibition demonstrated Kawakubo’s revolutionary experiments in “in-betweenness”.
- Design/Not Design: This aspect explores Kawakubo’s intuitive and spontaneous approach to garment making.
- Fashion/Anti-Fashion: Here, we take a closer look at the designer’s early 1980s collections that garnered extreme reactions from critics.
- Self/Other: Kawakubo insists that her work deals with personal feelings and fears, creating deeply introspective narratives in her collection.
Kawakubo places great emphasis on originality and ‘newness’, two characteristics that define every subsequent collection. She moves past the norms, pushing cultural and traditional envelopes to create pieces never seen before.
Her approach takes advantage of abstract notions and spontaneous techniques, making her collections a mishmash of unconventional style statements. For instance, one time she presented a crumpled piece of paper to her patternmakers and requested a pattern capturing similar qualities.
Kawakubo’s storytelling abilities are highlighted via three linked collections: Lasovre Leon, Silent, and Broken Bride. These illustrate the designer’s ability to weave narratives through garments, blurring the line between reality and fantasy.
This motivation for ‘newness’ compelled Kawakubo to start from scratch in 1979. She sought to create something more powerful, directional, ushering in a new era of fashion design.
Azzedine Alaïa: Architect of Fashion
Renowned for his mastery in sculpting the female form, Azzedine Alaïa has left an indelible mark on fashion history. His dresses were a daring proclamation of his creativity and dedication to fashion.
Impeccable Artistry in Alaïa’s Designs
A journey through the archives unveils a treasure trove of iconic images. One can’t help but marvel at Gisele, captured in 2003, looking remarkable in smooth, flowing gowns and a crocodile-accented coat.
A testament to Alaïa’s influence, Gisele once asserted she would fly to any part of the globe just to work with him, even offering to do so without remuneration.
Supermodel Collaboration and Long-lasting Friendship
An image that particularly stands out features Naomi Campbell dancing in Alaïa’s 2007 campaign. Campbell, one of the designer’s closest friends and muses, demonstrated the joyful spirit imbued in each of his pieces.
Alaïa’s Enduring Influence
Looking through ELLE’s pages, you will observe Alaïa’s designs featuring prominently. His profound understanding of women’s bodies shaped his work, making it timeless and loved by many. For more on this topic, you can read this article from ELLE.
Alaïa’s works not only enhanced the wearer’s physical features but also highlighted their personalities – a true celebration of femininity at its finest.
Reviving Retro Styles
Sweeping through the vibrant, innovative fashion of the 1980s offers a captivating insight into the era’s unique aesthetic. Designers of this time pushed boundaries with daring silhouettes, bold colours, and eclectic patterns. This dive back into the decade allows us to appreciate these creative minds anew and inspires a nostalgic revival in current fashion trends.
