The Rebirth of the 1920s

Posted by tray lowy on June 20, 2013 · Leave a Comment

Those of you who haven’t had the pleasure of seeing Baz Lurhmann’s rendition of ‘The Great Gatsby’ should be running to the theatres or downloading it online ASAP. I saw the film the week it premiered and to my surprise, I really appreciated the rendition. I was one of those people who read the book in high school and wanted a refresher. So I read the book and had it fresh in my memory when going to see the movie. The hype of the entertainment industry did not just excite the premiere; it also sparked a revival of history in the fashion industry. Suddenly we began to see 1920s fashion, hairstyles, jewelry, even makeup, spreading like wild fire on designers’ runways and in storefronts. Articles in magazines read, “Get the Gatsby Look” and stores promoted “Gatsby Inspired Trends”. It is no question that the roaring 20s have inspired not only Lurhmann, but also Miu Miu, Prada, Tiffany & Co, Brooks Brothers, and of course many mainstream fashion designs. From crystallized and sequin dresses, worn often by Carrey Mulligan in the film, to pearl headpieces, the traditions and artistry of the craftsmanship helped authenticate the importance of collaborating old and new beauty. The elegance that danced across the screen was a flash of contemporary relevance that subsided in its historical basis. Overall, I think this rebirth of 1920s fashion proves that with the inspiration of film and fashion today, designers and filmmakers are able to bring almost any time period to life. It’s all about paying extremely close attention to detail and incorporating the history of the era.