On the 11th of November 1981, Joan Collins walked onto American screens in Dynasty and proceeded to own the decade.

To mark the occasion, Art & Hue presents four new stylish pop art prints of the film and TV icon, available in 22 colour options and three sizes, available individually and as a group.

Throughout the 1980s, Dynasty’s high ratings were attributed to the British actress whose portrayal of Alexis (Morell Carrington Colby Dexter Rowan) inspired and amused viewers around the world.

The high-powered business woman, wearing increasingly over-the-top outfits by Nolan Miller, showed a woman in charge and inspired others to don shoulder-pads as the power-dressing uniform of the decade.

Before Joan ruled the 1980s, she had a long career in film from the 1950s onwards, appearing in British films by Rank and then signed to the Hollywood Studio system with a contract at 20th Century Fox.

2019 marks 44 years since the release of the “Alfie” sequel “Alfie Darling”.

 

Sexually confident and always glamourous (even with a towel wrapped around her head), Joan’s character in Alfie Darling could well have been Alexis Morell Carrington post-divorce – the hair, the make-up, the masterful use of a phone handset, and the off-the-shoulder dress (although it was only asymmetric as Alfie was trying to undress her).

From forks to cigarettes, Joan used props to punctuate a scene and had an expert knack of accessorising with a telephone, in Dynasty as well as Alfie Darling. Two of the new pop art prints feature the actress brandishing a handset like only she can.

Whether she’s working a receiver, having Cinzano spilt on her by Rigsby, or being followed through an airport by paparazzi and 14 pieces of Louis Vuitton luggage, Joan has defined her own unique and timeless style.

Post-Dynasty, Joan continues to work hard, writing books and acting in projects by Kenneth Branagh and Steven Berkoff, as well as a comical role in Benidorm and making a cameo in Absolutely Fabulous: the Movie with Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley & June Whitfield.

Whatever she appears in, Joan is a screen icon whose impact cannot be denied – a prolific actress who’s not afraid to shed the make-up when the part demands it, she will forever be associated with glamour.

An official collaboration with Studiocanal, this Art & Hue pop art collection is printed on archival matte card of 310gsm, made from 100% cotton, using fine art pigment inks to ensure longevity.