“Putting on her costume completely changes how I carry myself”
BY EMMALYN BRUCE, IMAGE BY ART BY SOTO
When people think of the 1980s, they often picture bright colours, shoulder pads, leather jackets, and big hair. But fashion in the 80s was about much more than looking good. For many people, especially within the LGBTQIA+ community, it became a way to express who they were. It was a way to be seen. To challenge expectations. And to celebrate identity in a world that didn’t always accept it.
The rise of club culture gave people the freedom to experiment with fashion and gender expression. Nightclubs became safe spaces where people could wear what they wanted without worrying about fitting into society’s rules. Leather, sequins, oversized jackets, bold makeup, and androgynous styles all became symbols of confidence and individuality. Fashion wasn’t about blending in. It was about standing out and showing people exactly who you were.
Music played a huge part too. Artists like Madonna, Boy George, and Prince challenged ideas about gender and style every time they stepped on stage. They inspired people to be themselves and showed that fashion could be creative, fearless, and personal.
But by 1989, there was another side to life. The Aids crisis had taken thousands of lives and brought fear, grief, and discrimination to LGBTQIA+ communities. Even so, people refused to disappear. Fashion and performance became acts of resistance. Dressing boldly and performing proudly was a way of saying, “We’re still here.” It was a way to honour those who had been lost and to keep fighting for equality and human rights.
Learning about this time has been even more meaningful because I’m performing in Antigone: 1989, which premieres this August at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The show is set during the Aids crisis, and being part of it has helped me connect with the history in a way I never could through research alone.
My character is strong, tough, and doesn’t back down. She wears chunky boots, chains, and clothes that are impossible to ignore. Her style is loud because she is loud. She speaks up. She fights for human rights. She refuses to stay quiet when people around her are being treated unfairly. Putting on her costume completely changes how I carry myself. It reminds me that fashion isn’t just about what you wear. It tells people something about who you are and what you believe.
Playing this role has made me think differently about self-expression. Those bold outfits aren’t just there because they look cool. They represent confidence, courage, and resilience. During such a difficult time, clothing became another way for people to say, “This is who I am, and I’m not hiding.”
The 1980s left behind more than unforgettable fashion trends. They left a legacy of people who used style and performance to challenge prejudice, build community, and express themselves without apology. Looking back now, it’s clear that fashion wasn’t just part of the culture. It helped shape it. And performing in Antigone: 1989 has shown me just how powerful that can be.
You can see Antigone 1989: A Town Hall Musical at the Gilded Balloon: Patter House – The Other Yin from 5-29 August (not 17 or 24) at 3.05 pm.
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