Fashion as an expression of power and individuality
The 1980s marked a revolutionary change in the fashion world. Power dressing with emphasised shoulders, figure-hugging skirts and eye-catching make-up dominated the aesthetic of the time. Women consciously used fashion to radiate strength and self-confidence, while designers such as Claude Montana and Gianni Versace set new standards with daring designs. David Bailey’s photographs show how fashion in this decade was not only style, but also a means of social emancipation. His images document the break with the romanticism of the 1970s and the dawn of an extroverted, often provocative era.
© David Bailey
Famous faces characterise an era
“David Baileys – Eighties” is a visual homage to the personalities who shaped the style of the 80s. Portraits of Tina Turner, Grace Jones and Jerry Hall show stars who not only wore fashion, but also set trends themselves and shaped cultural developments. The models and artists of this period were more than just symbols – they embodied a rebellious attitude and a new zeitgeist. Bailey succeeds in capturing their charisma and their influence on society and pop culture. Each photo provides an insight into the dazzling and dynamic world of this decade, which was characterised by creativity and courage.
Yves Saint Laurent; models: Yves SaintLaurent and Anette Stai, 1983.
© David Bailey
Bailey’s unmistakable style
The 1980s were a decade of contrasts, which are impressively reflected in Bailey’s photographs. Instead of limiting himself to glamour, he illuminates the tension between affluence and social change. His works show the entire spectrum of the time – from bright colours and extravagant poses to introspective black and white portraits that capture quiet moments. This versatility lends Bailey’s work an emotional depth that sheds new light on both the dynamics and contradictions of the time.
© David Bailey
A decade full of energy and creativity
“Eighties” is more than a retrospective – it is a snapshot of an era that epitomised opulence and sexual permissiveness, but which experienced a radical break with the emergence of the HIV virus and lost its carefree attitude. Bailey’s photographs show a world in which fashion, music and art were closely interwoven and created an aesthetic that redefined creativity and individuality. Bailey succeeds in capturing the contrast between hedonistic exuberance and social challenges. The book shows why the 1980s are still quoted stylistically today and invites us to scrutinise their cultural influence and the ruptures associated with them.
Data
| Original title | David Bailey – Eighties |
| Editor | David Bailey |
| Author | Grace Coddington |
| Publisher | Taschen Verlag |
| Cover | Hardcover |
| Pages | 296 pages, with numerous illustrations |
| Language | English |
| Dimensions | 28.4 x 36 cm |
| ISBN | 978-3-7544-0011-1 |
| Price | 100 € |
Further information
Further information on the book “David Bailey – Eighties” (advertising) can be found on the Taschen Verlag website.
Compliance
The book was kindly made available to us by the publisher. The presentation and rating of HYPERMADE remains independent of this and is based solely on the content of the book.
