Fashion Savvy Films #3

I still can't get over Sing Street since I first saw it and I can now quote the entire film, literally. The title of the movie is inspired by John Carney's Christian Brothers School located at Synge Street, Dublin Ireland. The film portrays both the music and fashion of the 80's.

1. Riddle of the Model

Inspired by Duran Duran’s Rio and Michael Jackson’s Thriller, this was the first song the band “Sing Street” recorded and because this is 1985, it's also about that new-fangled, mind-blowing innovation of the 80's; the music video. Since they were still developing their own image, the band wore an assortment of comical costumes with wild colours. The verdict of the music video is hilariously eccentric.

I love the androgynous gender bending makeup look and styles inspired by 80’s pop icons like Boy George from The Culture Club & David Bowie’s, Ziggy Stardust.

“I’m a futurist, no nostalgia” says Cosmo. 2. A Beautiful Sea

Another favourite part of the movie is the bittersweet, “happy-sad” drama that follows after Cosmo (played by Ferdia Walsh Peelo) started listening to The Cure and Joe Jackson. The band develops, from a synth-pop sound, to a New Wave-ish aesthetic, as they try to figure out who they are and the track, “A Beautiful Sea” is to exhibit the existence of 80’s post punk genre and new wave movements from bands like Joy Division, The Smiths and Depeche Mode. The band’s gothic look was to showcase their “happy sad” emotions and the inexplicable complications in life.

3. Drive it like you stole it

As the film progresses, their music videos become more ambitious. Mutating into a dreamscape of Back to the Future's American High School/50’s Prom setting, sets the tone for Sing Street’s own fabulous finale. “Drive it Like You Stole” neatly echoes the bass riff from Hall & Oates’s, Maneater to finger-popping effect while the band’s dress sense changes from punk to jazzy, blue-eyed soul ala Spandau Ballet look.

"Rock and roll is a risk, you risk being ridicule."

Meanwhile Raphina's character (played by Lucy Boynton) represent teenage girls of the 80's. The neon that made 1980s fashion so famous had yet to become the norm. Clothing such as acid wash jeans, silk blouses and leg warmers were popular back then. Icons like Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, Stevie Nicks and Cher were inspiration especially for outfits ideas. Bold makeup like bright colour eyeshadow, blue mascara, thick eyeliner and big hairs were the major trend for both genders.

Many of the biggest fashion trends of the 80s were unisex. Eamon (played by Mark McKenna) is another favourite character I adore. Active wear was a popular choice for men and boys alike. Matching sweatpants and sweatshirts flew off the shelves for the entire decade and same goes to pegged pants, denim jacket, cartoon shirt and mullet hair.

There are so many memorable moments in the film and overall, the film represents adolescence, coming-of-age and how kids develop their characters and try on different identities adjusting to the times. Sing Street is a brilliant portrayal of the 80’s, namely in music, fashion and the impact towards us today. The film is a musical fantasy that unleashes a profound emotion, something we felt throughout as youths but never underlined or spoken quite like this before.

Auf Wiedersehen!