Some of the top fashion models of the 1980s were Brooke Shields, Christie Brinkley, Gia Carangi, Joan Severance, Kim Alexis, Carol Alt, Yasmin Le Bon, Renée Simonsen, Kelly Emberg, Inès de La Fressange, Tatjana Patitz, Elle Macpherson, and Paulina Porizkova.
Couture fashion was back in the spotlight in the 80s as the American economy boomed, with Gianni Versace was just beginning to make his mark in the industry and Christian Lacroix was creating inspiring, opulent gowns.
Paulina Porizkova
A $6,000,000 contract with Estée Lauder solidified Paulina Porizkova's dominance in the fashion industry. It was the highest sum paid to a model at the time, but having appeared on numerous photo spreads and strutting on every major designer catwalk, those zeros were well deserved.
Linda Evangelista was first scouted by Elite Model Management in 1981. By the end of the decade, she was one of the highest-paid supermodels and one of the most recognizable faces in the world. She once famously said that "I don't get out of bed for less than $10,000 a day."
Danish model Renée Simonsen rose to prominence after winning the "Face of the Eighties" competition in 1982. She graced the covers of top publications like Vogue and Sports Illustrated and became the face of major beauty brands such as Clarins, Covergirl, and Maybelline.
The eighties were among the most experimental decades in fashion history due to legendary fashion icons like Princess Diana, Madonna, Joan Collins, and Boy George. Here are some of the best fashion icons from the 1980s that will always be in our hearts.
The 1980s have been called “the decade of decadence,” and one of the era's most notable movie characters, Wall Street's Gordon Gekko, famously declared that “greed is… good.” But the decade was about more than just excess. It was a period marked by defining events that continue to resonate.
Number ones
Michael Jackson had the highest number of top hits at the Billboard Hot 100 chart during the 1980s (9 songs). In addition, Jackson remained the longest at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart during the 1980s (27 weeks).
The Presidency. Ronald Reagan was elected President of the United States on November 4, 1980. His triumph capped the rise of the new right/conservative wing of the Republican Party and ushered in a new era of governing. Reagan served as arguably the first true conservative U.S. president in over 50 years.
Recreating the look of a famous icon is a popular choice for many attending an 80s themed party. Baywatch, Ghostbusters, Madonna, Prince and Pulp Fiction to name but a few.
1980s fashions for the young consisted of a series of trends that were often defined by the wearer's musical tastes. Videos on Much Music and MTV popularized every look, from hair band rocker chic and New Wave to Pop and Rap.
Popular artists from the 1980s include Michael Jackson, Prince, Madonna, Whitney Houston, U2, Bruce Springsteen, George Michael, and the Police.
Along with 1970s fashion, 1980s fashion was one of the most experimental periods in style history thanks to enduring style icons from Princess Diana to Madonna, Joan Collins to Boy George. Clothes were used to define personalities and make big statements.
Video games saw a huge rise in the 1980s, with standup machines like “Centipede” and, “Pac Man” (both released in 1980) and “Street Fighter” (released in 1988) sending kids and teens to mall arcades in droves.
The 1980s was a decade of excess, and fashion was no exception. Women's 80s fashion was characterized by bold colors, oversized silhouettes, and a fearless attitude towards mixing patterns and textures. It was a time when bigger was better, and subtlety took a back seat to statement-making ensembles.
The decade, characterized by eye-straining fabric colors and patterns, acid wash jeans, shoulder pads, massive, dramatic earrings, pearls, and big hair, had people confidently expressing themselves with their Style.
Coco Chanel: A Pioneer of Modern Elegance
No list of style icons is complete without mentioning Coco Chanel. The founder of the iconic Chanel brand, she revolutionised women's fashion by introducing comfortable and practical clothing without sacrificing elegance.
The 1980s, often remembered for its materialism and consumerism, also saw the rise of the "yuppie," an explosion of blockbuster movies and the emergence of cable networks like CNN and MTV, which introduced the music video and launched the careers of many iconic artists.
From new '80s babies like Cindy Crawford and Brooke Shields, to already established beauties like Jerry Hall and Gia Carangi, we put together a list of the top models of this decade.
Revolutionizing Music in the 80s
From Michael Jackson's infectious pop tunes, to the anthemic rock tracks of bands like U2 and Guns N' Roses, the decade really embraced an eclectic mix of sounds.
Since at least the late 1980s, face! has been short for the dismissive exclamation in your face!, issued after a comeback or sick burn. Since at least the early 2000s, face has been a slang verb for inhaling something quickly or greedily, such as food, alcohol, or drugs, e.g., He faced that burrito.