If you want to see what eighties fashion REALLY looked like, as worn by the hip downtown crowd in Manhattan, dash over to the Stephen Cohen Gallery on Beverly Boulevard. What a rush of memories! See the big versions of the brilliant Amy Arbus photographs included in her book “On the Street 1980-1990.” You’ll be transported to this fabulous period of time. Thrift shop clothes were mixed with designer pieces, punk, S&M, rockabilly, mountainous sprayed Flock of Seagulls hairdos- it’s all there. Along with some of the great characters of the era, nonchalantly wearing the styles – Madonna, Joey Arias, Katy K, and John Sex, to name a few. Young Madonna in her stained men’s overcoat and peculiar shoes with a jaunty scarf- we loved her then. These classic photos are a great investment – at the very least get the book.
That coat looks like she pulled it out of a garbage can, but she looks cute.
SHE PROBABLY DID…MADONNA PAID HER DUES…IT’S JUST THAT SHE
HAS A SHORT MEMORY.
What a reminder of the early 1980s. Madonna sure looked young then compared to the hag she’s become. Remember when she used to emphasize her mole? Where did it go?
“They” are trying to bring all this stuff back into fashion, the shoes, leggings are already back.
NYC in the 80’s was full of flavor. There were a lot of problems in NYC back then but it was interesting Today we still have problems and it’s not as interesting.
Madonna moved to NYC with a few hundred dollars in the late 70’s. Kids today can’t do stuff like that- the economics will deny you this opportunity.
Hey, don’t knock that stuff at Goodwill and Salvation Army. When a person dies what do you do with their things, besides burn them? You stick all your old junk out besides their collection box beside the road.
Or sell it on ebay.
Good times.
Thta was when NYC was alot less expensive to live in…I hear…not having lived there. Madoona burned off her mole. My ex boyfriend knew her and her family…He says she was a floozy even back in high school. Too bad her photo is in this exhibit.!!!:P
i have a soft spot for eighties fashion…even though it was kinda tacky at its extreme, it was creative, playful, bright and fun.
GOOD FOR AMY ARBUS…GREAT
GIRL..HOPE THE BOOK DOES WELL..
I was thinking while looking at
the photograph, Just how very
interesting looking Madonna was.
Too bad she Botoxed and injected
it all away ( and God only
knows what else)….
oh my goodness I absolutely love this look on madonna and yes, she was stunning without being particularly beautiful. she sold her soul to versace and the rest is ugly history.
She probably mugged a homeless person for that dirty old coat. She’s gross, always was, always will be.
The 80’s were great….I sure do miss them !