The Great Gatsby – Art Deco & Flapper dresses
I just finished watching the trailer for The Great Gatsby which comes out this Christmas and I’m falling of my perch in excitement to see this film for all the 1920′s art deco styled costumes. I love all the mirrored surfaces, dazzling sparkles and heavy embellishments of the iconic flapper dresses that women wore when they went out to party.
The film stars one of my favourite leading actors Leonardo Decaprio along side the very beautiful Carey Mulligan and is directed by Australian Director Baz Luhrmann who also did Moulin Rouge. It’s an adaptation of the original Great Gatsby novel by Author’s F. Scott Fitzgerald set in the ‘roaring twenties’ in 1922.
These roaring twenties were times without war and so most of the world’s major cities were going through periods of sustained economic wealth. Jazz music was at a high and art deco style was popular in all aspects of life – namely architecture (most famous today being the Chrysler building in New York), furniture, decor and of course fashion. It was all about geometric shapes, symmetrical lines, embellishment, feathers, and fringe which reflected the decadence and exuberance of the times.
What most importantly needs to be mentioned is that, in America, they completely banned the sale and manufacturing of alcohol. This crazy ban than went on to make millionaires out of all the boot leggers who started smuggling alcohol into the USA. This is the foundation of The Great Gatsby story line. I think it would have been such an awesome time to live in, surrounded by such glamorous style and probably amazing underground parties with lots of illegal alcohol which would have made it that much more sweeter.
Designers this Spring / Summer season sent many amazing frocks down the catwalk inspired by the release of this film. Top left to bottom right, I love…
Etro – The exposure of the collar bones and the strong architectural art deco motifs
Gucci – The shimmer of bold gold and black on this classic flapper dress silhouette
RalphLauren – The elegance of the delicate fabric, feminine florals teamed pearls
Marchesa – The sassy sheer shoulders and loose-fitting jazzy fringe
Etro – How the earrings, dress and shoes work as the one art deco facade
Alberta Ferretti – The sexy sheer panels of nude between the white art deco cut outs
Here are some Great Gatsby flapper dresses I found online which are mid-range priced. I always try to find clothes from Australian online shops but I never find anything as good compared to what I can find overseas. All the dresses are from websites which offer international delivery to Australia. You just have to convert the currencies to Aussie dollars. Top left to bottom right, I love…
1. House of Fraser, True Decadence Art Deco Flapper Dress £60, international delivery £10
2. River Island Light pink design forum sequin flapper dress £150, international delivery £10
3. Parker flapper dress from Far Fetch US$322, international delivery US$20
4. Tokyo Doll Black and Purple Fringed Dipdye Flapper Dress £34.99, international delivery £9
5. Ted Baker Jacquard Knitted Dress in black £119.20, international delivery £25
6. Phase Eight Tina Tassel Dress in Black & Gold £150, international delivery £25
I can’t wait for the movie too. I agree that this fashion era was very inspiring and I really love Art Deco style.
The Movie finally comes out this month! Yippy! Thanks for stopping by Annielka Magazine XO