Catherine Martin’s costumes bring The Great Gatsby directed by her husband, Baz Luhrmann, to life. Although there is debate as to whether or not Martin stayed true enough to the styles of the era to be considered authentic, her interpretations are beautiful and will leave their mark on the fashion world. After all, The Great Gatsby is just as much about clothes as it is about wealth and power. Enter Ralph Lauren, the costume designer for the 1974 film The Great Gatsby starring Robert Redford and Mia Farrow. If ever there was a designer who could create contemporary fashions inspired by the 1920′s that speak elegance, power, and money; it is he, and that is exactly what he did it in his Spring 2012 RTW Collection.
A must-read for this summer is F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Regardless of whether it is a first-read or a re-read, becoming acquainted with the rich storyline and the complex characters will surely serve as a masterful backdrop for the much anticipated release this December of Baz Luhrmann’s film by the same name.
After watching the movie’s trailer, one senses just how influential the movie may be on fashion. Beautiful people wearing beautiful clothes from an over-the-top time in history — it just begs to be copied. Ralph Lauren, who did the costumes for the 1974 film The Great Gatsby which starred Robert Redford and Mia Farrow, drew inspiration once again from the movie/book for his Spring 2012 RTW collection. What an masterful example of pairing pieces together to evoke impressions of the 1920s! The added bonus is that by combining these same pieces with other separates, the resulting look will be more contemporary and timeless. Also, his use of accessories — hats, scarves, broaches — again illustrates how a trend can be enjoyed and adapted without going overboard.
