The 80s are a time of fun, excess, luxury and optimism. The 1980s top the seemingly unlimited economical growth of Italy and mark the apparent transformation from an agricultural country to an industrial and service oriented economy.
Italy in the early 1980s
In these years, Milan affirms itself as the social and economical capital of Italy. Designers, artists and fashion gurus open stores and galleries in the city. After a famous TV spot, the city becomes known as Milano da Bere, the Italian capital of the aperitif ritual.
These are the years in which “Made in Italy” becomes a true brand and Italian products and lifestyle start to get more and more attention abroad. This is evident in music and television. Many singers and bands are influenced by the new musical movements hailing from England, Germany and the USA. Music fans are inspired in their dress code and behavior from their pop idols, like Madonna, Wham, Duran Duran. Many pop bands, both original and copycats of British and USA bands start to appear throughout Italy.
These fascinating photos were taken by New York City-based photographer Meredith Jacobson Marciano that documented everyday life of Italy in the early 1980s.
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