Anyone who saw Zack Morris' return to TV on a June episode of 'Late Night with Jimmy Fallon' likely felt more than a hint of nostalgia for a certain class at Bayside High. In The Fash Pack's first instalment of a month-long series on first fashion influences, writer Ceda Xiong of This Is What Adults Wear shares why Zack's girlfriend, Kelly Kapowski, was the Kate Moss of the Aaron Spelling TV dynasty.
Here, Xiong explores the high points of Laura Ashley shorts and acid-wash denim, and tells why, as an immigrant to America, she took an instant liking to the girl who could land the leader of Zack Attack.
I grew up in China and was ignorantly fashion-free until my move to the US around the age of 8. After two solid years of soaking in American television, even I could discern that the ultimate cool girl was Kelly Kapowski from 'Saved by the Bell'.
Even though Jesse Spano was probably closer to my bookworm soul than the picture-perfect head of cheerleading, I disliked Jesse's menswear shirts and the way she was easily flustered by Slater. Lisa Turtle was definitely too fashion-forward for my pre-teen taste. The only approachable model seemed to be Kelly, and if my dream boyfriend was going to be Zack Morris, then it made perfect sense that dressing like Kelly was going to get results.
