Nikhil Thampi argues in favour of 80s outré glamour while Rina Singh of label Eka makes a case for the sporty 90s...
80s: Nikhil Thampi
If there is one word to describe 80’s style it would be ‘bold’. From prominent shoulder pads to bright colours and oversized silhouettes, there was nothing about the decade’s fashion that wasn’t in-your-face. With fashion icons ranging from Madonna, Boy George and Michael Jackson to Princess Diana and Joan Collins, the 80s definitely had a lot to offer in terms of fashion inspiration, even today. One of the main reasons why the decade proved to be such an important milestone in fashion was definitely the fact that there were absolutely no rules. Performers like Boy George, Prince and David Bowie created huge waves as they blurred the lines between male and female, providing abundant inspiration to fashion designers for years to follow. On the other hand, Princess Diana, with her classic, elegant but definitively 80’s style, won hearts around the world. Some of the most important trends of which have endured till today include crop tops, power suits (a personal favourite), power shoulders (as seen at Balmain), fanny packs (as seen at Chanel and Alexander Wang lately), off-shoulder dresses and tops. As someone who grew up during this time, the decade definitely has had a profound impact on my style sensibilities. Sharp tailoring, glamour, metallic fabrics, wide belts and cinched waists are all an important part of my style DNA and I have the 80s to thank for that!
90s: Rina Singh
Compared to the extravagant fashion of the 80s, the 90s was much more somber and epitomised casual chic. Grunge and minimalism were the main trends of the decade. The 80s were excessive, rebellious (if you may) while the 90s was more democratic and accessible fashion. With designers like Helmut lang, Calvin Klein and Jil Sander pioneering the minimal movement, clothing became more functional and essential, the advertising more so, like a Calvin Klein mono colour basic shirt, falling off shoulders and showing bare skin through the unbuttoned top. Or a slip dress with thin spaghetti strap on skinny waif-like supermodel Kate Moss. The voyeuristic advertising campaigns would leave the customer wanting to see and get more. Everyone wanted to emulate Moss’s “too cool to care” style, and fashion was infused with this attitude. Luxury was expressed quietly, stars like Gwyneth Paltrow, Winona Ryder, Drew Barrymore and Nicole Kidman were the idols of cool. I was drawn towards baggy trousers and comfy trenchcoats, which were a far cry from the form-fitted vision of the 80s. This alchemy of masculine silhouettes and lightweight women’s fabrics, which wasn’t contoured influenced my core aesthetic.
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 "Lifestyle, Fashion, Nikhil Thampi, Rina Singh, Label Ekta, diana,boy george,calvin klein,kate moss,chanel,david bowie,drew barry")
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