American Style Season 1 Episode 3
American Style
Season 1

Ep 3. 1980s: Material World

  • TV-PG
  • January 20, 2019
  • 42 min

American Style is a television series that takes viewers on a journey through the fashion, music, and pop culture that defined American style throughout the decades. In season 1 episode 3, titled "1980s: Material World," viewers are transported into the extravagant and opulent decade of the 80s where material possessions were everything.

The episode starts by showcasing the defining characteristics of 1980s fashion. Oversized blazers with power shoulders, leather jackets, neon colors, and animal prints dominated the fashion scene. The episode highlights the trendsetters of the decade, including Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Princess Diana, whose style had a profound impact on popular culture. We see how fashion dominated every aspect of life in the 80s, with the workplace transforming into the catwalk and people striving to be fashionable at all times.

The episode then moves onto the rise of consumerism in the 80s and how it became a defining characteristic of the decade. We see how TV advertisements and brand endorsements by celebrities created a culture of materialism where people had to have the latest and greatest products. The episode showcases the popularity of luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Prada, and how owning these brands became a symbol of wealth and status.

As we delve deeper into the episode, we see how technology also played a significant role in 80s culture. The introduction of personal computers and video games revolutionized the way people interacted with technology. We see how iconic brands such as Apple and Atari captured the imagination of the public, and how the rise of home video revolutionized how people consumed entertainment.

The episode then takes viewers into the world of hip-hop and rap, showcasing how these genres of music exploded in popularity during the 80s. We see how artists such as Run-DMC and LL Cool J created an entirely new aesthetic through their music and fashion. The style of hip-hop artists, which included gold chains, oversized clothing, and sneaker culture, became a defining look of the 80s.

Finally, the episode ends by showing the political and cultural changes that happened during the decade. We see how the Reagan era defined American politics and how the Fall of the Berlin Wall captured the world's attention. The episode also shows how the widespread use of crack cocaine led to the rise of the War on Drugs and how the AIDS epidemic affected society as a whole.

Overall, "1980s: Material World" is a captivating episode that offers viewers an insight into the fashion, technology, and cultural changes that defined the decade. Through its detailed analysis of the era, the episode captures the essence of this extravagant and over-the-top era in American history. With its mix of archival footage and interviews with experts, "1980s: Material World" is an entertaining and informative episode that showcases the best and worst of the decade.

Description
Watch American Style - 1980s: Material World (s1 e3) Online - Watch online anytime: Buy, Rent
American Style, Season 1 Episode 3, is available to watch and stream on CNN. You can also buy, rent American Style on demand at Amazon, Vudu, Google Play, Apple TV online.
  • First Aired
    January 20, 2019
  • Content Rating
    TV-PG
  • Runtime
    42 min
  • Language
    English