Computer Revolution.

By the 1980s a computer revolution had taken hold of America. Its influence on fashion and design was tremendous. From clothes to cars, computers were changing the kinds of designs produced, how they were produced, and how newly computer-literate Americans interacted with one another.

The Fashion Industry.

Increasing mechanization and advances in computer technology were major influences on the direction taken by fashion in the 1980s. For instance, clothing stores began to use computers for customer services, such as answering questions about merchandise. Computers were used to analyze buying trends and determine marketing strategies, which — to the relief of some customers and the annoyance of others — resulted in fewer salespeople on the floor. Salespeople began to use computers to allow potential customers to see themselves with a makeover, a new hairdo, or even a facelift.

Shift in Design.

In 1988 approximately...