The eighties need to come back. Not the neon, leg warmers, teased hair that kids at my school really like for...some reason... I mean the the glamor and spirit of the 80's. I'm not really sure how, but the other day I got really obsessed with the 80's and have been frantically reading all of my fashion books to try to understand the era that everyone seems to love and hate in equal measure.
From what I understand, that was the decade fashion shows became SHOWS and models became MODELS and fashion became a celebration. It's sad that models now are hardly respected beyond "oooh pretty" (the same way some say "ooooh shiiinyyy"). They all look the same and are *young*. What made the "trinity" (Naomi, Linda, Christy) so amazing was that they each had their own distinct personality and look, making it impossible to choose which one is your favorite. Apples or oranges, right?
I love that spirit you see in the pictures of 80's runway shows. People were excited to be there, showing delight or contempt. It was like a big party. My mom says that's because everyone was on drugs, but I think Mugler waists can make anyone just as high.
It's frustrating that the party got busted by the economy; after that happened fashion became the BUSINESS it is now. I'm sick of it. It's what drives geniuses like John Galliano to freak out, Christian Lacroix to go under, and probably added to Alexander McQueen's stress. It's why every season people at the shows are seen saying "This collection was fun. We need more fun in fashion." This is said every season. Where's the fun?!
We can bring this back at the beginning of the new decade. I'm not saying that we can stop caring about the bottom line, or forget that money is (hate saying this) actually necessary to the fashion industry for creating, selling, putting on shows, and running magazines. What I'm saying is that we can keep that and add something else, a little childlike joy in the party that is fashion, the royal ball that comes every six months. Make, sell, report on, and buy clothes in a celebration of art and individuality and progress. In the meantime money will be made. Plus, doesn't everyone want to buy more when they are happy and when what they are buying makes them really feel good?
Maybe I'm being idealistic or naive, but I think it sounds possible. Isn't it what we all want? When there is a bigger model everyone proclaims their love of her individuality, saying she's a relief from the robot army. When there is a fun and dramatic runway show people decide we need more frivolity in fashion. What are we waiting for?
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| Claude Montana |
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| Thierry Mugler |
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