I don't know WHY I can't fathom why I feel such a loving, tender connection to the eighties. Yes, I was born in 1992 and grew up well after the eighties, but let's get real- the reason I feel the eighties just as much as any early-thirty something or mid-twenty something is all down to one tall, tan and blonde influence who always stood on tip-toe and had no belly-button: BARBIE.
Yes, Ol' Barb and all her peers were a big influence in my life back in the day (alright so 'the day' only reaches back about five years to when I was twelve, so what?) I ran a commune of about twenty-five, with five men at it's peak, though I always aspired to ultimate equality (I hated the unrealistic, slightly polygamist aspect of having a majority female community, but the girls were so much more fun to buy and dress up). There was, of course, a lot of drama in that situation. The girls could get mean- especially when it came to a good man like Ken, or Aladin. However, at the end of the day, the ritual fashion show made everyone feel better, and they always realized just what a tight-knit and loving community they were, through the sharing of clothes.
It's a beautiful story, isn't it? I've always believed in the healing power of fashion.
Anyhoo, in a sporadic anniversary event, I grabbed my old favourites (now part of my sister's collection) and threw a wee eighties-inspired fashion shoot.
This is my neon style heritage you're viewing. Enjoy.
