What was the fascination with Pierrot in the 80s?

[Allnewtometoo]

I remember thus being on everything, there was bedding, wallpaper, note books, clothing, bags. Why was it so popular?? Where did it come from? Was there something on TV?

Peter Craig, Janet Fraser, great universal, that's the ones I remember, A lot were under the same umbrella company, different names but identical inside. I had quite a large agency through my workmates, but it was hard trying to get some of them to cough up the money. Does anyone remember the White Arrow man who picked up the returns? My dad called ours the Doorstep Romeo, he thought he was God's gift to women ( he wasn't) 🤣🤣

I wrote a 17 page declaration of love to Morten Harket on Pierrot notepaper, in a Pierrot envelope, aged about 12, and wondered why he didn't turn up at my door to reciprocate...

I didn’t have Pierrot but I did have Sarah Kay bedding and curtains.

Then when I got older it was all geometric designs (very 80s). Constance Carroll rollerball lipglosses and electric blue eyeliner.

Then it was Athena posters, Body Shop perfumes and double denim.

Did they get paid to do that?

A few friends had Pierrot notebooks or folders at school, but I never liked the look of them…

I quite liked Hollie Hobbie, but even as a child I felt a bit worried about her eyesight being inhibited by the oversized bonnet!

The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady book was actually rather beautiful - I didn’t know there was merchandise…

Willow Pattern! We had that too. My mum said that it depicted a story. The 2 figures on the bridge are forbidden lovers. They take their own lives, or are killed. We’re in the process of clearing out parents house as they’re both gone now 😢
I’m there at the weekend..I may rescue a cup and saucer for sentimental reasons, so thank you for the reminder ♥️

Was the blue Willow pattern?

Oh it was blue willow, Thankyou!!!

My mum loved buying complete collections of everything

That's reminded me of something I hadn't thought of in years - a small black plastic trinket box with a Pierrot print on the lid ... 🤗

I remember my mum wanting Eternal Beau for ages and then she was so proud when she got it. It was only used for visitors and special occasions. Anyone who dropped by was served tea with the teapot and cups and saucers.

Wasn't into Pierrot myself but did have a Holly Hobbie decorated room - wallpaper, duvet and curtains and had a Holly Hobbie doll.

Oh god, this takes me back! I remember Pierrot stuff that my friends had but I was never allowed it. I had a bedroom of that 80s orangey pine, I remember going to choose it from Habitat.

At my school the cool designs to have for your stationary was Bobby & Kate - I had this amazing desk set that had drawers with heart handles, it was great! Bobby & Kate were a Care Bear-esque puppy and kitten that held hands, all very twee.

Argh, just checked and a pencil case is going for £80 on eBay! Wish I’d kept it now…

i was going to mention this - mime was very big in the 70s so it may have sprung from this

Don't forget Narwals

@Vroomfondleswaistcoat were you of the age to remember Thelwell? All my pony mad friends loved those cartoons. 😅

The willow pattern, I'd forgotten that was everywhere . When I was in Brownies I got my poetry badge by reciting a poem about it.

Two pigeons flying high
Chinese vessel sailing by
Weeping willow hanging o'er
Bridge with three men, if not four
Chinese mansion, here it stands
Seems to cover all the land
An apple tree with apples on
A pretty fence to hang my song

The thing I remember is that either 3 or 4 people is more valuable but I can't remember which

But Willow Pattern is not just an 80s thing I believe. Wasn't it popular for a long time, since Victorian times at least? So it's classic really.

Not like, say, Eternal Beau.

I had this exact notebook.
Also a "velvet art" picture, possibly that I coloured in myself with felt tips, which I can't find a pic of

I remember a friend's mum collecting Cornish ware.

Anyone recall this

I had that too!

I remember watching a TV programme, I can't remember any but it was about people writing wedding present lists. One couple's entire list was Eternal Beau: plates, cups, mats, curtains everything.

I do remember Thelwell, although I have to admit that I didn't always 'get the joke'.I think some of his terminology was getting a bit dated by the time I got into ponies. Besides, I was more into 'real' images of horses than the cartoon ones (my wallpaper was a thing of beauty, I'm just glad that my parents would only let me have it on one wall because if I'd been allowed it on all walls it would have been less of a bedroom and more of a shrine).

I thought the Pierrot thing was really creepy. Those eyes!

I also remember a scary film called "Harlequin" which was out in the 80s. It starred the actor who was in " Jesus of Nazareth".He was like a Rasputin character. I think that put me off thd Harlequin/Perrot thing as well

Half Man Half Biscuit are so underrated! I think they nailed a lot of 80s tropes at the time. Dickie Davies Eyes still makes me laugh — “God I could murder a Cadbury’s Flake… their adverts promote oral sex” 😂

I had lots of Pierrot stuff, I still have an empty perfume container and 3 clay models I made and painted as a teenager.