Trend Watch: Eighties Eclectic Eccentricity

- Jodi Lawler

Nostalgia swept through this season’s catwalks as designers from D & G to Balmain to Louis Vuitton transported us back to an era of fun, clashing colour and wild excess. The 80’s was revived with a bang for A/W ‘09 as the era that brought us Dynasty and disco fever was reworked and remodelled for a contemporary youth.                                                                                                                  

For many, the 80’s was a time that fashion forgot, full of garish, clashing clothing, bad make up and even worse hair styles. Yet, for others, this decade brought with it a sense of freedom, frivolity and ‘fuck it’ attitude which summed up, for them, what fashion was all about. What better way to express creativity than multicoloured, crimped hair doused in glitter, vivid make up and neon spandex?! And the decade which brought us such ‘faux pas’ also instilled in our fashion vocabulary such current  wardrobe staples as oversize tees, leggings and crop tops.                                                                                                 

The return of the eighties to our style radar brings with it OTT and flamboyant looks a-plenty, with enough chutzpah to dazzle away any mention of a recession or gloomy economic times. Marc Jacobs welcomed in the new season with neon brights, clashing prints and vivid hosiery whilst Louis Vuitton and Dolce and Gabbana welcomed back the statement shoulder. Fabrics perfect for the look include lame, leather and brocade and adornments to complete the look include bows, pearls and puffs.

The bold shoulder is THE key silhouette for the season and can be worked for day or night for a powerful, on-trend look. Power, puffed or sequinned, however you wear yours: keep it fierce! Head to Topshop, ASOS and French Connection for a chic, high-street take on this season’s most coveted silhouette. For an equally on-trend tailored look, the slouchy and oversized blazer provides a wearable and sexy update to any day or night ensemble to bring you bang up to date with the retro feel. Channel colour and texture and think ‘power dressing’ to perfectly capture that 80’s Dynasty vibe.                                                                                  

For an effortlessly stylish evening look with just the right amount of ‘disco’, consider body con dresses in vivid shades and prints, sequinned and glitter dresses and statement accessories. Mix patterns and clash colours to channel the Marc Jacobs retro look, and accessorize with big make-up and even bigger hair. For a cheap take on the look, add bright or patterned tights to a simple dress or oversized top and hang on to your summer staple tulip skirt and peplums which perfectly transcend the seasonal barrier. For the perfect ‘Frankie Say Relax’ day look, think crop tops, oversized denim shirts and loose luxe for the perfect thrown together look. 

However you wear the look this season, make a bold statement and team with plenty of attitude. Totally Rad!

Mary Queen of the Shops: Queen of my Heart!

- Thomas Vincent NewmanMary

Portas has been hailed the ultimate diva and self professed queen of fashion and retail. I am tempted to agree and, believe me, I have met some queens in my time! What she doesn’t know about the world of fashion isn’t worth knowing. Prior to breaking onto our screens with her cult show ‘Mary Queen of the Shops’ she had already transformed Harvey Nic’s into the fashion powerhouse it is today. Mary’s abrupt and ‘say it how it is’ approach to saving independent high street boutiques always proved fruitful and always  entertaining.

Most recently, her new series ‘Mary Queen of the Charity Shops’ was an interesting insight into 3 areas: the current economic climate, the potential in transforming second hand clothes into current high street trends and, lastly and most interestingly, the business model that charity shops could use to their advantage to appeal to a younger and more vibrant consumer base. One of the most interesting points was the clash of Mary’s brutal business ideas with the volunteer’s outdated views on fashion and running a shop. When I think of charity shops I am always reminded of the Little Britain sketch where the lady picks up an item of clothing and asks the shop assistant ‘Excuse me do you know if anyone died in this?’ However, behind the jokes there is a serious point: public perception of charity shops is vital to their future success, a key issue tackled in the series. Frustratingly, I know myself there is always a bargain to be had and some great fashion to be found so why don’t more people use charity shops?! I digress…

The thrill of second hand shopping and making old clothes on-trend and of the moment is nothing new but turning a charity shop into a business comparable to Topman and Topshop in terms of maximising sales is something revolutionary and very exciting. Mary’s unique restyle of the shop, training of the volunteers and direct address of basic housekeeping issues turned the failing Save the Children charity shop in Orpington into a financial success and has convinced the charity to introduce such a scheme nationwide.

Her latest book ‘How to Shop with Mary Queen of the Shops’ is the insider’s guide to everything you need to know and would make a great gift for friends bonkers about fashion. We wait in joyful anticipation for the next coming of Mary Queen of our Hearts. Who knows over which realm of this glorious nation she will wave her entrepreneurial wand!