A wave of nostalgia has taken over social media as users turn ordinary photographs into AI-generated portraits inspired by the fashion, hairstyles and photography styles of the 1980s. The trend, often associated with AI-generated 80s photographs, has now attracted attention from Indian politicians as well, with several sharing digitally created images featuring distinctly retro aesthetics.
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal joined the trend by sharing an AI-generated image styled as a vintage portrait. In the photograph, Goyal appears in a tailored grey suit, white shirt and aviator sunglasses. The image uses sepia tones, film grain and a faded texture, giving it the appearance of an old studio photograph. Goyal accompanied the post with the caption, "Vibing to the 80s trend."
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also participated in the trend with his own retro-inspired image. He appears wearing sunglasses, a blazer and an open shirt while posing beside a car, with the styling designed to evoke the visual character of the decade. Rijiju accompanied the photograph with a light-hearted reference to the renewed interest in 1980s nostalgia.
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Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also joined the trend, sharing an AI-generated throwback-style photograph. He referenced the nostalgic appeal of the trend while presenting his own take on the 1980s-inspired imagery. The participation of political figures has added another dimension to a trend that initially gained traction among social media users, influencers and celebrities.
The AI trend involves using image-generation tools to recreate a person's appearance as though the photograph had been taken several decades ago. Users can provide prompts asking the tool to retain recognisable facial features while changing clothing, hairstyles, accessories, poses, surroundings and lighting. The resulting photographs can be styled as family albums, studio portraits, magazine photographs or Bollywood-inspired publicity images.
The Indian 1980s aesthetic commonly draws on colourful sarees, statement jewellery, voluminous hairstyles, wide-collared shirts, high-waisted trousers and retro sunglasses. Vintage studio settings, warm lighting, soft focus, faded tones and analogue-style film grain are also frequently used to strengthen the period look. The trend reflects how AI image-generation tools are being used not only for visual experimentation but also to recreate familiar styles and memories from popular culture.
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