Fashion's Love Affair With Gatsby
Marchesa (right) and Ralph Lauren (left)
As anticipation mounts around the new adaptation of The Great Gatsby, designers channel Prohibiton-era fashion for spring/summer 2012...
By Estella Shardlow on Thursday 12th January, 2012
Certain films catch the attention of the fashion world, and Baz Luhrmann’s adaptation of The Great Gatsby was bound to be one of them. Not only is it a mesmerisingly decadent story, with F. Scott Fitzgerald’s lyrical descriptions of parties, fast cars, cocktails and long lost love positively glittering off the page, but the flamboyant and opulent aesthetic that Luhrmann brings to all his films (Moulin Rouge; Romeo and Juliet) guarantees a real visual spectacle this time round.
It should come as no surprise, then, that the catwalks were awash with flappers and 1920s dandies as the elegiac tale of Jay and Daisy captured the imaginations of many fashion designers.
Ralph Lauren chose cloche hats, strands of pearls and feather boas to complement his silky, pastel separates. One can just picture Daisy and Jordan lounging in one of these ensembles whilst sipping a Mint Julep.
Alberta Ferretti’s whimsical take on the 1920s trend saw layers of fluttering tulle and beaded paneling, whereas lace and oversized sequins put a characteristically rocker twist on the classic at Roberto Cavalli. The theme continued at Etro with silky, tasselled Jazz Baby frocks. A slicker monochrome aesthetic at Emporio Armani was very Zelda Fitzgerald on the French Riviera, meanwhile. Marchesa gave us lavish fringed confections in shimmering silvers and white, and the femme fatale flappers at Gucci wore drop waist, sequin-encrusted gowns in black, cream and gold.
We predict that the demand for deco detailing will spread beyond fashion to encompass everything from fine jewellery to homewares – so now is the time to go for a spin in a yellow Rolls Royce, listen to 'Ain't We Got Fun?' on vinyl, shake up an illicit cocktail and enjoy...
