Gatsby Fashion

Some of the best designs and the ones that inspire new trends, are representations of a past era. The newest film rendition of The Great Gatsby is about to explode on the screen {see my last post on it here} and it is already creating a yearning for the opulence that was the 'roaring twenties'. 

The Great Gatsby movie is creating a design buzz with both the decor and fashion industry. It's easy to understand why weddings with a Gatsby theme are popular this year, design from this era offers sparkle and sexiness.

Deco inspirations include ....... Ladies with milky skin and striking ruby lips, short bob hair styles with pin curl fringed edges. Beaded headbands, netted trims sweeping the brow, earrings that sparkle and drape, layers of draped pearls, beaded trimmed dresses with a flirty swing to the hemline.
The 'boys' dressed as gentlemen in crisp dress shirts with French cuffs, tuxedo's for nights out and three piece suits for day, oxford dress shoes, suspenders on trousers, and the straw boater hat to top it all off.

Daisy Buchanan's beaded gown by Miuccia Prada

And while costumes are costumes, it is the inspiration of movies like Gatsby that helps to create the trickle-down effect to fashion. Much like the couture creations for the runway become paired down into the ready-to-wear market that intrigues the basic consumer each season.

The fashion trends that roared through the twenties are making a mark on the design scene again thanks to Gatsby. Let's take a look at some of the styles, fabrics, lines and designs in both garment and jewel fashions inspired by era.

Carey Mulligan plays Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gastby

I love this image above of Carey Mulligan {shot by Mario Testino for Vogue, Australia}. The soft blush pink satin halter style gown adorned with individual rose petals portrays the era perfectly. Jewels by Tiffany & Co {more on the special Gatsby collection later}. Looking at the soft pink set against the patina matte gold iron work it is easy to see why this is such a  popular decor colour combination.

Carey in Chanel couture chiffon, feather and tulle dress.

Carey wears a ice blue silk gown with black lace floral inserts by Nina Ricci - onyx and diamond earrings by Chanel, bracelet by Gray & Davis .

Carey as Daisy Buchanan - wearing a feathered night shawl and diamond headband with detachable broach. Jewels by Tiffany & Co. 

The Savoy Headpiece by Tiffany & Co.

The Savoy Headpiece crafted by Tiffany & Co. specifically for the character of Daisy Buchanan features a detachable brooch. The diamond and fresh water pearl feather designed brooch sits on the diamond and pearl headband, making it a 25.04 carat masterpiece. Contact Tiffany & Co to order privately.

Tiffany & Co. created an entire Jazz Collection of jewels inspired by the Ziegfeld era. The Art Deco Drop earrings above feature brilliant round, baguette, and pear-shaped diamonds set in platinum with a total weight of over 16 carats. Price $140,000.  In the roaring twenties it was common for people of a certain level of wealth to display their status with the jewels they wore, Tiffany's was one of the main jewelers of choice. 

F. Scott Fitzgerald, author of The Great Gatsby, was a client of both Tiffany's and Brooks Bros. during the twenties. It was a natural style fit for the film to work with the brands and became integral part of the design building for set/costume designer Catherine Martin. Both Tiffany and Brooks Bros. developed Gatsby inspired retails collections for 2013.

Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby wearing a Brooks Bros. suit. source Andy Anthineos

Brooks Bros.

Suspenders - Brooks Bros.

Straw Boaters Hat - Brooks Bros.

The fashion runway showed the influence that Gastby brought to several design houses ......

Emporio Armani - Fall 2013

Armani                                              source : Yannis Viamos

Jil Sanders

Ralph Lauren's collection. Lauren designed the costumes for the 1974 Great Gatsby film.

Ralph Lauren - The blush pink three-piece suit for her.

Gatsby inspiration - white with silver beaded dresses. source : unknown

One of the top wedding trends for 2013 is the Gatsby themed soiree. If you are planning a wedding or attending a themed wedding as a guest here are a few examples of fashion and accents to help create the look.

via : Bella Eventi blog

Getting the 'do' right is crucial. Charlize Theron wears a headband with soft waves tucked into a bob style. Christina Aguilera's look combines soft push waves and pin curls. Christina's platinum blonde colour, smokey doe-eye and raspberry lips create a sexy roaring twenties look. Her beaded neutral toned dress and diamond necklace in layers is a classic deco era look.

Get the crystal headband look. source : theprancingfox on etsy

Beaded and fringed handbags will complete the look. source : Armani

Kate Moss wore one of the most romantic bridal gown and veil which is a nod to  the 1920's.

This crystal bandeaux by Jennifer Behr is elegant when paired with simple veiling.

If you are attending a Gatsby themed event, whether it is a wedding or party, getting the look is simple. Although it was a time of opulence avoid looking like you are wearing a costume by keeping the details toned down. Don't wear it 'all' at the same time and no matter what - don't wear patterned knee high stockings with your shoes - it's a look that only leggy models can achieve.

This is the look that most brides will be striving to achieve for their Gatsby inspired weddings. Elegantly traditional with a hint of the roaring twenties era will bring the romance to a wedding. source : Sarah Yates.

I'm off to see the movie on the big screen next week. Somehow I feel that the popcorn concession should be serving up champagne in crystal flutes to movie goers.