Setting off on holidays to Ibiza, (I know very 90's), I noticed our boarding gate had a definite neon colour scheme going on and more than the usual amount of the 3 strips. It was this spark that got me thinking of the 80's style influence emerging across a broad spectrum of culture. In a recent Guardian article, "How to...be retro", Guy Brown wrote "Retro is the new old. Interestingly, retro is becoming younger and younger. The 1980s are back when they've scarcely left".
So after further investigation on the net, I had no trouble coming across a colourful selection of flashbacks to a style of neons, shiny metallics and lightning strike edges. Some of my favourite examples: www.retrotogo.com - Showcases the new application available on the iPhone, non other that a Commodore 64 emulator - "the golden age of gameplay?"
www.grooveeffect.com/w-style/062007-keshwear-customized-colorful.php Of course fashion will always be the launch-pad to the mainstream. One clever little Miss headlining this genre in the rag-trade is rad emerging fashion designer named Kesh. "Keshwear is a fusion of old school vintage 80's fashion and new school neon rave accents. You'll see 80's inspired gold chain necklaces with big gold hoop earrings, printed leggings, short body hugging dresses, and funky graphic tees."
www.designfeedr.com www.goodmorningstranger.com – Within the Graphics / Illustration circles there is no shortage of 80's influence either. Sticky sweet neons drips from the illustration of Genaro de Sia Coppola, Alex Trochut & Marta Cerda Alimbau create high gloss shine typography and no end of prism lighting effects and rainbow colours can be viewed on designfeedr.com - Over 45 Excellent Examples of Retro Typography, Design and Illustration.
www.chrisjudge.com - Irish Illustrator Chris Judge sees his work in the new Rowntree's Fruit Pastilles advertising campaign. "Big Colourdy fun!".
Oh and on my return to work today I noticed a crowd gather off Baggot Street to examine the Dublin Bikes. With it's chunky low-maintenance design (theoretically less attractive to bicycle thieves) these cute little bicyclettes could be said to be almost, well, Retro...
Posted in space hoopers, shiny metallics, rubix cubes, neons, Marta Cerda Alimbau, Kesh, iphone applications, Genaro de Sia Coppola, Fruit Pastilles, dublin bikes, Chris Judge, Alex Trochut, adidas, 80's graphic design, 80's fashion, 80's design influence
