Carnival 2022: 80s-90s pop icons

After Christmas, New Year's Eve, the Sanremo Festival and, simultaneously with MFW, the next big event of the year has arrived, the one where we can all play with make-up and costumes, pretending to be someone else, if only for a few hours. No, it's not October 31st yet. And no, I'm not talking about Halloween, but Carnival. Do you remember Venice invaded by tourists in fancy dress, the battle of the oranges in Ivrea or the allegorical floats in Viareggio? The period between February and December when confetti and streamers are thrown, when we stuff ourselves with castagnole, frittelle, galani (aka chiacchiere, crostoli, frappe,...) or any other fried dessert. Of course, once we grow up, the appeal is probably not the same as it was when we were in primary school and they made us cut out colourful (non-sanitary) masks to hang on the windows, but if there is still a bit of magic in our way of approaching the world, Carnival may hold some surprises in store or, at least, give us the opportunity to enjoy lightness and play. The secret is to let ourselves go, let our imagination run free and transform ourselves into our favorite alter egos. No ideas? G-Club suggests 8 iconic women from the 80s and 90s to dress up as for Carnival.

Cher in the 1980s

Tight, sheer catsuits, eccentric dresses full of sequins, fringes and cut-outs, metallic knit tops, fetish bodysuits and high boots. No, these are not Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner's essentials, but they are some of the signature items in Cher's wardrobe. She was the first to play with fashion, always hovering between sexy, kitsch and cool, always pushing the style boundaries. Like in 1989 when she scandalized the entire US Navy with a single outfit designed by Robert Mackie. For the video of If I Could Turn Back Time, she was expected to sing the single on the deck of the battleship USS Missouri, docked in Long Beach for the occasion, in front of 200 real sailors. Cher came on board in a sheer catsuit that looked like a guepiere at the bottom, with a V-shaped strip of black fabric covering her breasts and privates. Accessories? Perfecto, chain belt, maxi earrings and a voluminous cascade of curls. The result was a blowout: the navy was flooded with complaints about the star's alleged outrage and MTV decided to censor the video, airing it only after 9pm to protect viewers' sensibilities. Cher, on the other hand, decided to add that jumpsuit, in several variations, to her diva wardrobe, sporting it several times over the following decades. So if you decide to choose it for this Carnival, remember to wear it with confidence, pride, attitude and if someone, ignoring the charm of the timeless Cher, doesn't understand who you're dressing up as, look at him with disapproval and answer "Dua Lipa". Have you seen the Mugler outfits of her last tour?

Jane Fonda in the 1980s

Jane Fonda has lived a thousand different lives in one. She has been a model; Barbarella, the iconic space traveler; the muse of important filmmakers; prominent civil rights and anti-Vietnam War activist and, in recent seasons, she co-starred in the delightful Netflix TV series Grace and Frankie. During the 1980s, however, the actress made history as the aerobics guru. It all started in 1982, with the release of a VHS entitled Jane Fonda's Workout, released in the wake of her New York Times bestseller Jane Fonda's Workout Book, in which she wiggled to the music and taught a host of ordinary women (normally excluded from gyms, which at the time were male kingdoms for bodybuilders and boxers) how to take care of their bodies and their health. The effect was so disruptive that the tape (the first in a series that included cassettes, LPs and books) sold over 17 million copies worldwide, becoming one of the most popular of all time and helping to make both Fonda and the Reebok Freestyle she always wore on her feet even more iconic. Her other look essentials? Leotards, leggings, leg warmers and a terry cloth headband. Preferably in vitamin-rich colours and worn while moving with energetic grace, with impeccable make-up (blush is the real must-have) and hairstyle. Remember: the true gurus of the 80s workout doesn't sweat, always smiles and repeats every now and then phrases like "Feel the burn!" and "No pain, no gain".

Cyndi Lauper in the 1980s

We all remember the Madonna of the 80s, with her cross earrings, cropped mesh top, tutu and lace gloves, but the first to sport that look or a more colorful and fun version of it was Cyndi Lauper. Her sound and, above all, her style helped to shape the pop culture of the eighties: artfully disheveled hats dyed bright red or neon yellow; corsets; three-quarter length leggings with frou-frou miniskirts full of flounces, bows and tulle; animal print cropped jackets; a mix'n match of different prints and colors; a shower of necklaces, bracelets and maxi earrings. The focus is on the make-up, a vitaminic explosion of eye shadows, glitter, graphics, an exaggerated, almost cartoonish use of blush and matte lipsticks. Cindy's inspiration was the punk icon Soo Catwoman, but her attitude was fundamental, a joyful and empowering approach to life-based on the motto "Be creative and be yourself". The same catchy mood was behind Girls Just Want To Have Fun, her most famous hit, a feminist anthem defending women's right to have fun with the same freedom as men.

Debbie Harry in the 1980s

Few artists of the 1980s were as cool and iconic as Debbie Harry. The Blondie singer was the archetype of a new female rock star: she was charismatic as hell, an eclectic performer and explosively beautiful, with her trademark bleached blonde bob, red lipstick and a style that mixed old Hollywood glamour with the gritty, DIY attitude of late 70s punk rock. No one could resist her, neither the legions of fans nor the iconic artists who wanted her as their muse. Any names? Andy Warhol, Stephen Sprouse, Robert Mapplethorpe and Richard Avedon. To replicate one of her most popular outfits, just opt for cut-out mini-dresses, one-shoulder catsuits, vintage band t-shirts, distressed jeans, animal prints and leather jackets.

Michelle Pfeiffer in "Scarface"

Scarface is a 1980s cult movie. Everyone knows the plot: the rise and fall of Tony Montana in Miami crime. The female lead is a young and beautiful Michelle Pfeiffer who plays Elvira Hancock, Tony's boss's wife, with whom the Cuban-born would-be boss falls madly in love. Her look, created by Patricia Norris, was inspired by 1930s Hollywood glamour, made up of sensual slip dresses with minimal lines, immaculate jacket-skirt suits, large hats and oversized sunglasses. Emphasizing the wow effect is Michelle's perfect face, framed by a blonde long bob with fringes and sculpted by smokey eyes, blush and orange lipstick. So who do you think Bella Hadid paid homage to when she walked the red carpet at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival wearing a red Alexandre Vauthier Couture dress with a deep slit?

Lisa Bonet in the 1990s

If Zoë Kravitz is now an it-girl, it's partly thanks to her parents, uber-cool Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet. A teen star who rose to fame in the 1980s on the hugely popular sitcom The Cosby Show, Lisa found her soul mate in the following decade when she met a handsome and talented musician. Together, the two are the perfect boho couple, mixing elements from different eras: from 60s/70s hippie aesthetics to 80s glam metal and 90s grunge. The key to replicating the Bonet style (Beyoncé tried it a few Halloweens ago) is to wear caftans, vintage pieces, retro dresses, harem pants, distressed jeans, cowboy boots and dreadlocks with confidence.

Courtney Love in the 1990s

Doja Cat has just released a cover of her hit Celebrity Skin, Olivia Rodrigo (though she won't admit it) was clearly inspired by Hole's iconic Live Through This cover for her debut album Sour and Batsheva took a host of her clones down the runway for her FW19 collection. For many of Gen Z, Courtney Love is just Kurt Cobain's widow, but she is so much more. She is a talented musician, a Golden Globe-winning actress, a complicated woman who has survived a life of high points and chasms that could have swallowed her up forever. Her overflowing personality, sharp intelligence and many excesses have made her one of those people you either love or hate instinctively, but somehow still respect. Queen of the 90s and grunge, Courtney is also a fashion icon who has fully embodied the spirit of her era. Her style is one of the earliest mainstream examples of the kinderwhore aesthetic, consisting of vintage slip dresses, fishnet stockings with holes, babydoll minidresses with round collars and mary janes on the feet. A tiara in her hair, mascara and red lipstick, both a little smudged, complete the typical Love look. The Hole leader's refences were actress Frances Farmer, Old Hollywood glam and a free, shouty feminism typical of riot grrrl. To be Courtney, attitude is everything, repeating "I want to be the girl with the most cake" (as in the chorus of Doll Parts by Hole).

Cameron Diaz in "There's Something About Mary"

Years after their only date in high school, Ted (Ben Stiller) is determined to find Mary who he still has a crush on. This is more or less the beginning of There's something about Mary, the unforgettable 90s comedy starring Cameron Diaz. Costume designer Mary Zophres chose a series of basics for her: dresses by Jil Sander, micro cardigans by Agnes b, Helmut Lang jeans, skirts by Gucci and a black nylon mini bag by Kate Spade. In the most famous scene of the film, Mary/Cameron wears a simple salmon-pink jersey dress by Susan Lazar and a blonde bob with the tuft lifted by "a special gel". The must-have detail? A great dose of irony.

Gwen Stefani negli anni ‘90

Before she became a sort of American clone of Federica Panicucci, Gwen Stefani was one of the coolest girls in town. In the 90s, when she was the frontwoman of No Doubt, she set the standard with her styles that mixed vintage, streetstyle, ska, punk and pop, cargo trousers, worn with micro tops and brassieres, blonde fringes, pink hair and a clever use of face jewellery that makes the protagonists of Euphoria look like beginners. The key to being Gwen? The attitude, the determination to sell and the rebellious spirit, but a bit funny.

Britney Spears in the 1990s

The most iconic Britney Spears? The one from the early 90s, the one who winked at Baby One More Time in her school uniform, pleated mini-skirt, micro cardigan, white shirt tied at the waist and braids. She is the pop star with a sober face, the fake naive one who still had to go through a long process of empowerment, but also the one who remains in our hearts. The same one that Hailey Bieber tried to replicate in a recent Halloween and Emma and Francesca Michielin in Sanremo 2022. 

Spice Girls in the 1990s

When the video for Wannabe came out, the world fell in love with these five cheerful and slightly crazy girls, with their catchy hits and colorful outfits tailored to their individual characteristics. Geri, Mel B, Mel C, Emma and Victoria taught an entire generation about girl power in a fun and carefree way, combining grit and joy. All the girls had their bedrooms filled with posters of their faces, who, with their bold make-up, glitter, adidas tracksuit bottoms and micro tops, were the friends next door they wanted to talk about girls, go shopping and dance to the radio at high volume.

The Nanny

Who wouldn't want a nanny with Fran? With her hair always full of volume, lipstick that emphasized her lips and perfect mascara, The Nanny was a far cry from the idea of a babysitter that the cinema, from Mary Poppins onwards, had told us up until that point. So, inevitably, in the 90s (and the endless reruns) we fell in love with this over-the-top, fun-loving girl from Queens who gorged herself on sweets, had an unwieldy family and sported the coolest, sexiest and most colourful outfits of the decade. In the role that made her famous, Fran Drescher wore Moschino, Marc Jacobs, Azzedine Alaia, Ralph Lauren, John Galliano and more, creating a unique mix of mini-skirts, animal prints, ruffled shirts, striped waistcoats, skinny dresses and over-the-knee boots. Want to copy her look? Check out her Instagram account @whatfranwore.

Uma Thurman in "Pulp Fiction"

Quentin Tarantino gave Uma Thurman her two most iconic roles: the bride in Kill Bill and Mia Wallace in Pulp Fiction. No one has made movie history like the actress, sporting a black bob with fringes, a white shirt, a pair of black capri trousers, a trench coat and bare feet. And as we remember her like this, we hear the notes of You Never Can Tell in our heads.