By: Jackie Hanna, Natazia Green, Nicole Leishman and Nicole

Dibenedetto

Historical Events and Discoveries!

• Ronald Reagan was elected president, after a landslide vote against Jimmy Carter. This time was referred to as the “Regan Revolution” because the economy completely turned around and the Soviet Union went from a superpower to a third rate power.

• The first woman, Sandra Day O’Connor was appointed to the Supreme Court.

• The aids epidemic affected many people especially the gay communities bringing prejudices against them.

• Michael Jackson came out with Thriller inspiring a new dance move and fashion.

• Cabbage Patch Kids become extremely popular and in high demand.

• New coke hits Markets and the public reacts negatively. Sales go down an eventually “Coca Cola Classic” came back.

The biggest impact on fashion in the 1980’s was music. People like Madonna and Michael Jackson were greatly influential on the trends that were made during this time. These trends included leggings, neon colors, lace, and many different accessories. Michael Jackson also popularized the “one hand glove” and the leather jacket like the ones he would wear in his music videos. Another big thing of the 80’s was extravagant make-up and big hair, usually dyed different colors.

Music’s Impact on 80’s Fashion

Nicole DiBenedetto

TRENDS OF THE 80’sMini Skirts:These were a major fashion trend during the 80’s. They were popular in leather and denim materials. This trend has come back recently in fashion.

Leg Warmers:Leg warmers were also a very popular trend

during this time. They were used as accessories to add more color to their outfits.

Stirrup Pants:Stirrup pants were used when people would go out and party. They went good with mini skirts and oversized tops.

Nicole DiBenedetto

TRENDS OF THE 80’sEarrings:Earrings were a big trend of the 80’s. Many of them were over the top and very large because the women of this decade loved to over-accessorize.

Members Only Jackets:These jackets were a huge trend in the

80’s because they were seen in Hollywood movies such as The Goonies.

Nicole DiBenedetto

TRENDS OF THE 80’sShoulderpads:Shoulder pads were a huge

trend in women to show empowerment and wealth.

This is power dressing to show that this was a time

when women were getting higher ranked in the work

force so they used shoulder pads for the assertion of power. These suits were known as “power suits”.

Nicole DiBenedetto

Calvin Klein

Calvin Klein was born on Novenmber, 19, 1942 in Bronx, New York. As a young boy, he had a passion for drawing fashion. He studied at the Fashions Institute of

Technology and then graduated in 1964 with a major in apparel. He later worked as an apprentice for a suit manufacturer. His life long friend and investor Barry

Schwartz, decided to set up a clothing company with Calvin Klein. In 1968, Calvin Klein opened his own company, inspired by the fresh style of the youth of New York. They hired a seamstress to make Klein’s illustrations and a sought out a department store buyer, who offered $50,000 for his clothes. His jeans became

very popular in the 70s and by the 80s his underwear collection became famous. It was made famous with its nearly naked, young models exotically posing in

lingerie. This was something never done before. Some models were made famous by these ads like Kate Moss, Mark Wahlberg and Christy Turlington. He has created a billion dollar business from putting his brand on pillows, perfume,

clothing, shoes and more. He won the CFDA Award twice in 1987 and 1993. Calvin is still working in the world of fashion and still releasing clothing collections .

By:Natazia Green

Calvin Klein

• Calvin Klein inspired many fragrances during the 1980s such as “obsession”. A warm, spicy, woody, powdery, amber sent.

• Calvin Klein jeans were the most popular jeans of the time. The jeans were Calvin Klein's signature, and the suggestive campaign featuring Brooke Shields saying “Nothing comes between me and my Calvin's” brought the jeans even more status and popularity. Everyone wanted to be Brooke Shields and the commercial aroused controversy especially in the south.

• Calvin Klein overlooked the production of a sexier line of underwear. The men wore almost no clothes and lower pants to advertise the product. This advertising trend to sell underwear was copied by companies like Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister.

• Calvin Klein is a minimalistic designer. He strips down his clothes to their most fundamental features making the beauty in the simplicity of the garment.

• Calvin Klein influenced women’s wear by creating a more sexier appeal to women’s jeans and lingerie during the 80s. He also created trendy simple sportswear for men and women.

Influence on Women’s Wear

Natazia Green

• Jackie Hanna

Ralph LaurenNicole DiBenedetto

Ralph Lauren Ralph Lauren was born October 14th, 1939 in the Bronx, NY. He grew up with very little knowledge about fashion at all. But, by the age of 12 he was the best dressed among all his friends, and was known for how he dressed. He would work after school so he could save money to buy expensive suits. He graduated from DeWitt Clinton High in 1957 along with Robert Klein, Colin Powell, and Stan Lee who also became very successful .He attended Baruch College as a Business major, and dropped out 2 years later. He then served in the Army but was discharged in 1968, and later that year he married Ricky Low-Beer. Ralph did not go to fashion school but he worked for Brooks Brothers as a salesperson. While working there he created the Polo label of neckties. He then bought that name from, Norman Hilton. He redid the Rhinelander Mansion for his first store for Polo Ralph Lauren. His fashion expanded drastically when he dressed the male actors of the Great Gatsby and Annie Hall. In 1983 he expanded in to the home décor department. Throughout his career he also won three Council of Fashion Designers of America awards, for lifetime achievement, womenswear designer of the year and menswear designer of the year.

Nicole Leishman

How Ralph Influence the 80’s• Ralph Lauren influenced the 80’s by focusing on sportswear which was simple and

comfortable. His clothing was mostly made for the upper class with a very preppy feel. Polo shirts were also a very popular item, because of him.

Nicole Leishman

Ralph Lauren TrendsRalph Lauren created a preppy style for young girls such as the tight top with jeans shorts, Polo Suits for men, American flag loafers and Nautical colors.

By: Nicole Leishman and Natazia Green

Ralph Lauren Fashions

Nicole DiBenedetto

Nicole DiBenedetto

Nicole DiBenedetto

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