In 1981, MTV (Music Television), a cable station, broadcast the first music video, introducing the U.S. public to visually portrayed music. Appropriately, the first video shown was The Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star.” Unlike radio stations, MTV did not limit the music videos to a certain style or genre. This open-programming format exposed a vast audience to a broad range of musical styles, and in this manner, music influenced dress in ways it had not been able to in the past. Fans could now see the musicians, and emulation of the bands’ appearance and dress became common.
The show, Yo! MTV Raps, debuted in 1988, and was hosted by Fab 5 Freddy. The show gave Rap/Hip Hop the cred many fans thought it deserved and helped jettison the genre, along with accompanying clothing and accessory lines, into billion-dollar industries. The weekday version of the show premiered in 1989 and featured Doctor Dr(not to be confused with Dr. Dre from NWA) and Ed Lover.
Also during the ‘80s, Madonna became a fashion icon for women by introducing several successful styles through her music videos and concert performances. She introduced corsets and other lingerie as outer garments; leggings under skirts with high-heeled shoes; and crucifixes and rosaries as jewelry. Later she became associated with the Designer Jean Paul Gaultier who designed Madonna’s infamous Cone Bra for her Blonde Ambition tour.
Other famous MTV’ers were New Wave/Alternative music artists such as Boy George and his group Culture Club, Duran Duran, and A Flock of Seagulls. Rappers LL Cool J and Run DMC appeared on MTV regularly as did the “Hair Bands” Motley Crew, Ratt, and Whitesnake. Metal Bands ranging from Van Halen and Aerosmith to Metallica were also guests, with the latter considered more “hard core” for the times. All of these artists were major influencers for the dress of their fans.
FAQs
It's real, it's catered to the personality and circ*mstances of each character and most importantly; it's fluid. Each season shows a shift in the aesthetic, as the fashion moves from 70s reinvention to full-on 80s excess. So, Fact Check. I give Stranger Things a 9/10.
How did MTV affect fashion? ›
The channel became a trendsetter, and the fashion industry followed suit. The fashion of the time was heavily influenced by the music videos that played on MTV. The channel helped popularize trends like ripped jeans, leather jackets, and neon colors.
How did MTV affect American culture in the 1980s? ›
MTV in the 1980s influenced American culture by popularizing rap music, creating new fashion trends, and showcasing artists through music videos. MTV had a significant impact on American culture in the 1980s: It made breakdancing and rap music popular among teens, helping to spread hip-hop music from cities to suburbs.
What was the new wave fashion in the 80s? ›
Think lots of eyeliner, spiked hair and statement clothing, from bondage-related wear right through to the romantic ruffles and pirate looks created by Vivienne Westwood (with lots of creative and colourful combinations in between!) 80s Jacques Vert white vinyl 1¼” wide belt with attractive gold-edged enamelled buckle.
Who is the most beautiful girl in Stranger Things? ›
Millie Bobby Brown (born 19 February 2004) is an English actress and model. She rose to prominence for her role as Eleven in the Netflix science fiction drama series Stranger Things (2016), for which she earned a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series at age 13.
Is Will wearing a wig in Stranger Things? ›
Fun fact: Over 150 wigs were used this season (even Detective Jim Hopper is wearing one!) as well as tons of extensions (including Will Byer's perfect bowl cut, believe it or not). In fact, two of the only characters not wearing fake hair are Steve Harrington and Eleven (yep, that's her natural curl, friends).
How did MTV impact the music industry? ›
MTV changed the game by pushing the music industry into the visual realm. It became a cultural powerhouse that shaped not just the music industry, but fashion, film, and TV.
How did 80s music influence fashion? ›
A time in music where new styles in both fashion and music began to emerge from different artists. Music had a massive influence on fashion and took over this time period. From bold outfits filled with animal print, studded boots, and leather to disco, sparkles, and neon… this decade turned lots of heads.
What era was MTV popular? ›
The MTV Generation refers to the adolescents and young adults of the 1980s to 1990s, a time when many were influenced by the television channel MTV, which launched in 1981.
Why was 80s fashion so colorful? ›
In the 1980s, color trends were more than just vintage color palettes, they were a way to express individuality. Additionally, the bright and vivid pop colors reflected the energetic and vibrant atmosphere of the decade.
If you've ever wondered, “What was popular in the 80s?” then know that neon colors, big hair, the Brat-Pack, iconic toys and games like Nintendo and Transformers, as well as Madonna, Duran Duran, and MTV videos helped define the decade.
How did girls dress in the 80s? ›
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, preppy fashions featured a lot of pastels, turtleneck sweaters for girls, knee high socks sometimes turned down or folded over at the top with above the knee length skirts and dresses and polo shirts with designer logos.
Is Stranger Things period accurate? ›
But the "accurate portrayal of the 80's" mostly comes from production design, set building, and props. The Duffers themselves were born in 1984, so the 1980s they're revisiting is what they've seen in the movies as kids. And there wasn't a lot of co*ke in pg/pg-13 movies by definition.
What is the controversy on Stranger Things? ›
Noah Schnapp faced severe backlash last year after a video of him distributing stickers with controversial slogans went viral. In the video, Schnapp was giving out stickers with phrases like “Zionism is Sexy” and “Hamas is Isis.”
Is Stranger Things an accurate representation of the 80s? ›
The crew behind the series puts in a crazy amount of work to make Stranger Things look as period-accurate as possible, including the Starcourt Mall where the kids hang out in Season 3, but sometimes anachronisms slip through.
Is Stranger Things as good as they say? ›
Stranger Things is absolutely as good as everyone says it is. When a show is as talked about about as much as this one has been it's hard to live up to expectations. Stranger Things has not only met those expectations but has surpassed them in every way.
