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From cat fights to clicks: Dynasty’s 45-year-old legacy is still bringing the drama. Known for its shoulder pads, lavish furs, electric blue eyeliner, and backhanded slaps, Dynasty was the epitome of 1980s television. Launched on Jan. 12, 1981, this prime-time soap opera ran for nine seasons and later inspired a 1991 reunion and a reboot that aired from 2017 to 2022. The show revolved around the luxurious, ruthless lives of rival oil baron families, the Carringtons and the Colbys, in Denver.
The Dynasty’s Female-Driven Allure
The appeal of Dynasty lies in its female-driven cast and characters. Blake Carrington and his new wife, Krystle (John Forsythe and Linda Evans), Blake’s business-savvy ex-wife and rival CEO, Alexis Colby (Joan Collins), his secret half-sister, Dominique Deveraux (Diahann Carroll), and scheming daughter-in-law, Sammy Jo Reece (Heather Locklear) embodied the excess of the Reaganomics-era. They were so aspirational that Blake and Krystle even launched their own his-and-hers fragrances.
Dynasty’s Popularity and Legacy
By 1985, Dynasty became the highest-rated drama in the United States. Its depiction of black-tie parties, power plays, and luxury goods became standard, setting the stage for today’s opulent aesthetics. Today, Dynasty’s influence continues to be felt, particularly online, where fans continue to engage with and celebrate the show.
Online Fan Engagement
Lance Fontaine, a Melbourne-based soap superfan, runs the Dynasty Chronicles, a Facebook page, Instagram account, and blog, which attract more than 3,000 new followers a month. He’s not alone – Dynasty also has a strong presence on Reddit and several Instagram accounts dedicated to iconic photos and clips from the show. Joan Collins’s character, Alexis, remains a fan favorite due to her snappy insults and epic cat fights.
Dynasty’s Influence on Fashion
Instagram is a treasure trove for fans of Dynasty’s fashion. Accounts like What Alexis Wore and Nolan Miller Collector showcase hundreds of Joan Collins looks and pay homage to the show’s costume designer. The show’s fashion, characterized by its silk and taffeta gowns and oversized jewelry, is considered emblematic of the decadent decade. Even today, Dynasty’s drama and structured shoulders find echoes in contemporary designer collections.
Dynasty’s Continued Relevance
Despite the passage of time, Dynasty continues to fascinate, and its influence can be seen in modern fashion and pop culture. Toronto-based author Diane Bracuk believes Alexis enthralled audiences by doing and wearing what she pleased, often outmaneuvering the old boys’ club that Blake represents. Dynasty also had a significant impact on workwear, popularizing structured suits, heavy makeup, and jewels just as women were making strides in corporate life.
Dynasty’s Impact on the Drag and Queer Communities
Canada’s Drag Race season-three runner-up, Jada Shada Hudson, notes that Dynasty’s legacy lives on in drag and queer communities. Its pioneering storylines – featuring gay characters, HIV/AIDS narratives, female CEOs, women over 40, and wealthy Black matriarchs as leads – continue to inform Emmy-winning shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race and Succession. The flamboyant styles and bold performances of Alexis, Dominique and Krystle continue to inspire drag queens today.
On TikTok, users celebrate Dominique’s legendary one-liners. Clips of her rejecting Alexis’s champagne and caviar have inspired memes, mugs, and T-shirts. For Hudson, Dynasty resonates because it models selfhood in a world that pressures assimilation. She notes that the show has inspired her to create her own version of Dynasty and to pass its message of individuality and boldness onto the newer generation of performers.
