1984; named by Rolling Stone Magazine as “Pop’s Greatest Year” and for extremely good reason. It was a year of iconic popular culture moments. Many of which endure, 40 years on…
It was the year that George Orwell predicted there to be “no art, no literature, no science… there will be no curiosity, no enjoyment of the process of life” but in reality, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
1984 was a year of creativity, ingenuity and imagination. So much of the art and culture of 1984 has endured to this day.
It was the year Prince’s Purple Rain was released.
Virgin Atlantic Airways made their maiden flight.
Cadbury’s Twirl first went on sale.
Iconic video game TETRIS was invented
Malcolm Morley won the first ever Turner Prize
MTV Music video awards was launched – featuring Madonna’s infamous performance of Like A Virgin
And the original Apple Macintosh P.C. went on sale, accompanied by a controversial Orwellian-inspired advertising campaign directed by Ridley Scott.
Let’s take a closer look at the Grey St. Gang’s favourites from 1984:
Frederike
Did you know that Frederike is a chess enthusiast? “Grand Chess” was invented in 1984 by Dutch Games designer Christian Freeling.
Legend – The Greatest Hits of Bob Marley and The Wailers
Nic
It was a tough call for Nic, but he decided on Beverly Hills Cop. The buddy action comedy, starring Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley, w was the highest grossing film of the year.
Air Jordans – so iconic that this year they made a film about their invention!
Rachel
Rach’s favourite film of 1984 is Ron Howard’s Splash. “I 100% wanted to be a mermaid!”
Track – Bruce Springsteen’s Dancing in the Dark. Who could forget that video?
Fran
The Karate Kid! The legendary and extremely quotable martial arts film has since spawned a remake and a TV series. But nothing can beat the original!
Runaway Bon Jovi
Laura
It has to be Neverending Story! Equal parts enchanting and traumatising – what more could you want from a kid’s film!?
Together In Electric Dreams by Giorgio Moroder and Phil Oakey – just an incredible and enduring track!
Anne et Valentin
We can all agree that the year 1984 was a significant year for the world of art and culture. It was also an iconic year for the world 
of eyewear.
It was in 1984 that a creative and enterprising young couple designed their first spectacle frames, and the brand we now know as “Anne et Valentin” was born. 40 years on, they remain one of eyewear’s most influential and inspiring brands.
To view their latest collection, join us for a special event
Anne et Valentin: From France With Love.