Fashion Savvy Films #2

The Great Gatsby (2013)

I absolutely love Baz Luhrmann's take on “The Great Gatsby” that I actually made an analysis reviewing this film for one of my assignments. Yesss that crazy love! “The Great Gatsby” is originally a novel written by F.Scott Fitzgerald back in 1925. Fitzgerald illustrates the Jazz Age and is widely regarded as one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century.

This film won two Academy Awards for “Best Costume Design”. Catherine Martin is the lady behind all those glitz and glamorous outfits, props seen in the film. Catherine is also the set designer, producer and Baz Lurhmann’s wife. The party scene in the film had close to 300 extras on set and each one outfitted in his or her own unique costume designed by Catherine Martin. Brooks Brothers supplied 1,200 in total on the men's side meanwhile Miuccia Prada, Italian Fashion Designer who founded Prada & Miu Miu, helped out on the women's side, designing 40 background dresses.

According to The Atlantic Daily, “The Great Gatsby's Fabulous Betrayal of 1920s Fashion: The details of the new film's wardrobe aren't historically accurate, but its costumes successfully convey the glamour and decadence of the era for a 21st-century audience.”

Miucci Prada who designed Leornardo DiCaprio's wedding suit in Luhrmann’s updated and modern version of Shakespeare's famous play, “Romeo + Juliet” back in 1996 and is one of Luhrmann's closest friend who shared the same challenging and artistic passion towards literature. Martin also collaborated with Tifanny & Co for all the jewelleries in the film. Daisy Buchanan’s iconic savoy diamond headpiece caught viewers’ attention as it screams “The Roaring Twenties”.

I don’t specifically have a favourite look but if I were to choose a few characters, my favourite would be Jay Gatsby, Jordan Baker

and Daisy Buchanan.

Fun Fact: The first Gatsby film was made in the year 1926 and there are in total of six film adaptations of “The Great Gatsby” and it is certainly one of the greatest American novels.

Jay Gatsby played by Leonardo DiCaprio *heart eyes emoji* is a fabulously wealthy businessman living in a Gothic mansion in West Egg, who is famous for his parties and drugstore business. Gatsby suits are mostly in brighter colours like white, cream and brown. The famous pink suit that Gatsby wore in the Plaza scene stood out and describes his character perfectly; a gangster, bootlegger

and Oxford man.

Jordan Baker played by Elizabeth Debicki, Daisy’s athlete friend. A competitive golfer, Jordan represents one of the “new women” of the 1920s: cynical, boyish, mysterious and self-centred. My favourite look of hers is during the luncheon she had at the Buchanan’s – cream flapper cape dress top with cloche hat inspires the sophisticated sports-luxe element to twenties style, indicates freedom and indulgence that were key to the post-war era in fashion and in lifestyle.

Daisy Buchanan played by Carey Mulligan is considered the golden girl and is also portrayed as “the beautiful fool” because of her extremely materialistic lifestyle. This is only because the role of women in 1920's made them totally dependent on their husbands and unable to work but live a life of luxury. This represents how women were marginalized by their position in 1920's American society. Daisy's sequined, beaded flapper dress top with a diamond headpiece and furry cape, the one she wore during Gatsby’s party, is definitely my favourite piece.

The film soundtrack has subsequently been the subject of much debate by film critics due to its modern Jazz, Hip Hop, R&B, Baroque Pop & Alternative Rock music elements. Executive Producer, Jay Z produced music for the film and its album while most of the songs were performed by Kanye West, Lana Del Ray, Beyonce and the XX.

In my opinion, the music in this film did translate the Jazz Age sensibility of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel into the musical equivalents of our own times, through the blending of hip-hop, traditional jazz and other contemporary musical textures which I personally think is an impressive feat for younger generations.

Luhrmann’s Great Gatsby is truly a visual feast and I am still blown away by it though I’ve seen it a million times. The film felt like I was transported back in the 20’s (imagining it would be like Owen Wilson in Midnight in Paris!) and it did give us a vigorous glimpse about

the glorious era. Overall, this film inspired me and it is yet the best adaption of The Great Gatsby.

Till then. Auf Wiedersehen!