Rendering №11

The article “Great Gatsby film is cue for elegance in tough times” was published on March 16, 2013 in “The Guardian”. It discusses that remake of The Great Gatsby takes the prestigious opening slot at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival in May, style-watchers are predicting a visual feast that will turn many back on to the 1920s. The author Karen Kay mentions that every few years, a film comes along that proves to be a source of sartorial inspiration: from Audrey Hepburn's gamine princess in Roman Holiday and Diane Keaton's androgynous style in Annie Hall, to the colonial style that swept the catwalks in the mid-80s, heavily influenced by Karen Blixen's cinematic safari in Out of Africa. It is clear that anticipation of the sixth film adaptation of F Scott Fitzgerald's novel has meant Art Deco style has already been filtering into our consciousness as designers and retailers anticipate audiences eager to mimic the opulent elegance of the "Roaring Twenties". The correspondent tells that those who envisage themselves as true Gatsby girls will be able to adorn themselves with accessories such as sequinned headbands, strings of pearls and satin elbow-length gloves.

It is an open secret that jewellers are reporting renewed interest in pearls, while Mary Jane shoes, and cocoon-shaped coats are being interpreted for contemporary customers. The UK's leading specialist fashion auctioneer, Kerry Taylor, is witnessing increasing demand for vintage pieces from the era, especially in the US where wealthy socialites are snapping up original designs to wear at cocktail parties. Using a similar approach to juxtapose contemporary style with period authenticity, Luhrmann's wife and collaborator, Catherine Martin, enlisted the help of Miuccia Prada to dress the film's leading lady, Carey Mulligan, as Daisy Buchanan, reprising a role made famous by Mia Farrow in Jack Clayton's 1974 film with Robert Redford as Jay Gatsby, now played by Leonardo DiCaprio. It is pointed out that Costume designer Theoni Aldredge won an Oscar four decades ago for her work with the then little-known designer Ralph Lauren, creating a much-admired wardrobe for Redford as the elegant millionaire. Despite middling reviews, the 1974 film was a financial success.

The author concludes the article telling that we have several big Jazz Age auctions around the film's release which will include ceramics, Lalique glassware, and furnishings of the kind you'd see in Jay Gatsby's home. She mentions that she has rarely seen such a fine realisation of the Art Deco style that so typified the affluent world of The Great Gatsby. As for me, I think this interpretation of the book will be really good though because of the costumes, decorations and accessories which are used. Great Gatsby helps to return old fashion and forces people to buy things used there.