A collection of quality 1980s hair sides Karina pink theme “new old stock”

CONDITION: good vintage condition with acceptable wear

APPROXIMATE DATE: 1980s

MATERIALS: celluloid, metal

DESCRIPTION:

Here is a collection of good quality hair accessories from the Karina brand. They date from the 1980s and are old/new stock having never been worn. They comprise one barrette, one ponytail holder and a comb. All are on their original cards and the barrettes have modern French spring clips which are functioning.

#1 bar shaped barrette measures ½ x 3 ½ ins (2.5 x 7.5 cm)

#2 ponytail holder measures 1½ x 2 ins (4 x 5 cm)

#3 combs measure 3 x 2 ins (7.5 x 5 cm)

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The Karina brand became part of the beauty industry in the 1980s, starting as a small family-owned business in Wayne, New Jersey. It featured a full line of fashion and high-end faux tortoise shell and other hair accessories that sold mainly in independent drug stores. By continually offering quality products and great service, the brand quickly expanded into beauty supply stores. The 1980s collections featured a large selection of French-designed hair accessories made with the highest quality acetate in innovative designs.

The costume jewellery industry flourished in the 1980s, and women experienced a new freedom and confidence to wear frankly fake fashion jewellery. In fact, the bigger and glitzier the better! The fashion hallmarks of the decade were big shoulders, big hair and co-ordinating costume jewellery. Hair was teased and ratted out, and this ‘big’ hair cried out to be balanced by glitzy jewellery in gilt settings with huge fake looking stones. Hair accessories of the period were certainly neither small nor delicate!

After languishing somewhat during the 1970s plastic jewellery again became fashionable in the 80s. The plastics used for jewellery and hair ornaments in the 1980s featured a wide range of colours and patterns to create a dazzling effect.

The final picture is taken from contemporary fashion illustrations and shows the hair accessories and hair dressing of the period.