ACCEPTABLE IN THE EIGHTIES
Acceptable
in the
80s
words Sharon McKinley
I
t was the decade in which Madonna made her debut in a pink wig on Top of And fashion wasn’t the only area for bold
the Pops, the Ferguson VideoStar was cutting edge in home entertainment statements in the eighties. Ian Fulton,
technology, everybody wondered who shot JR and nurseries were packed full of manager at Taylor Ferguson Hairdressing,
little Kylie and Jasons. It was also the decade of shamelessly experimental fashion, has worked as a hairstylist in Glasgow
cringe-worthy dance crazes and catastrophic catchphrases. Remember Frankie for 27 years and has witnessed both the
Says…Relax? But, despite the disasters, it’s now become the decade we just can’t supercuts and the bad hair days of the
seem to get enough of. era. “The eighties was a great time to be
in Glasgow because it was in the eighties
Eighties revival nights have never been more popular, eighties style is bang on trend
that Glasgow decided to become stylish
and acts of the era including Rick Astley, Bananarama, Paul Young and Curiosity Killed
and the whole city seemed to erupt in
the Cat are selling-out venues on the Here and Now Tour.
this Avant Garde, New Romantic frenzy.
We’re also set to see a host of eighties movie classics return to the big screen next After all, you couldn’t have a big frilly
year. Eddie Murphy will be back as Beverley Hills Cop, a brand new Ghostbusters film shirt and baggy trousers and a plain
is in the pipeline and if Patrick Swayze recovers well from his cancer treatment it’s old simple haircut. You had to have
rumoured he’ll once more take to the floor as Dirty Dancing’s Johnny Castle. something dramatic.
But what is it about the eighties that keeps us coming back for more? “Asymmetric cuts, enormous quiffs and
sweeping fringes were what everybody
Spencer Railton, one of the city’s most established fashion designers, remembers the
wanted to achieve. And, as ridiculous
eighties as an era that was hugely experimental and nowhere was this more apparent
as they were, there are still remnants of
than in Glasgow. It was also the beginning of the city’s notorious love affair with
these styles around today, albeit much
fashion as Glaswegians took their place as trendsetters in the style stakes. “Glasgow
softer, more manageable versions.”
really came into it’s own in the eighties. It was a very exciting time in fashion and
Glaswegians weren’t afraid to embrace that.” Mailin Haddow (mvmakeup.co.uk) is a
freelance makeup artist in the city and
Spencer also remembers some of the highs and lows of an era defined by bold
a child of the eighties; a decade which
colours and unconventional materials and even admits to having considered
she remembers as one where people
resurrecting some of his eighties designs for the noughties. “These were the years
adopted a ‘more the merrier’ attitude to
when leg warmers, leggings and Ra Ra skirts were popular the first time round and
makeup. “People really went overboard
they’re back in demand and bigger than ever today. People loved that the clothing of
with makeup in the eighties: bold colours,
the eighties had an element of fun and that’s why people keep returning to the era
heavy eyeliner, chiselled cheekbones
for inspiration.”
and matte skin. Women wanted to
But Spencer also admits that some eighties fashion should be banished to the decade emulate the likes of The Bangles and
for good. “I remember putting three shoulder pads into each shoulder of a jacket for a Cindy Lauper who wore thick pan stick
client and it really looked absurd. They were too popular and too large and shouldn’t foundation, blue eye shadow right up to
be allowed to rear their heads in fashion again.” the eyebrow, blocks of blusher on their
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