May, 26th, 2012

Fashion Gr andiose | The Great Gatsby

From the uniquely imaginative mind of writer/producer/direc tor Baz Luhrmann comes the new big screen adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby. The filmmaker will create his own distinctive visual interpretation of the classic s tory, bringing the period to life in a way that has never been seen before, in a film starring Leonar do DiCaprio in the title role. “The Great Gatsby” follows Fitzgerald-like, would-be writer Nick Carraway as he leaves the Midwest and comes to New York City in the spring of 1922, an era of loosening morals, glittering jazz and bootleg kings. Chasing his own American Dream, Nick l ands next door to a mysterious, party-giving millionaire, Jay Gatsby, and across the bay from his cousin, Daisy, and her phil andering, blue-blooded husb and, Tom Buchanan. It is thus that Nick is drawn in to the captivating world of the super-rich, their illusions, loves and deceits. As Nick bears witness, within and without the world he inhabits, he pens a tale of impossible love, incorruptible dreams and high-octane tragedy, and holds a mirror to our own modern times and struggles.

© Copyright 2012 Warner Bros. In Theaters: December 25th, 2012

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Fashion is not a garrulous cast in this drama. Especially, from the gents and Mister Leonar do di Caprio perspective. All have been costumed by Catherine Martin, direc tor Baz Luhrmann’s wife, whom did a fantastic cinematic integration of couture. But is that new?

Catherine Martin, who is also the film’s production designer, is a two time Academy Award winner (Moulin Rouge) and Tony Award winner for the set design of Broadway’s La Boehme. “CM” has her own line of rugs, paints and wallpapers. Many of the sparrow and vine designs are inspired by her native Australia, where the Sydney set was .. set, as well as Asian designs and traditional lace. She doubled duties with costume and production design, with brio, from our excitement enjoying the trailer.

Sparkle is of the essence. Diligence is of the essence.

On the later, Jacqueline WayneGuite, a fashion his torian, assesses that the costumes are too stylized, trop moderne, as she weights on accuracy on the 1920’s in her blog The Hourglass Files:

“To be clear, I can tell from the trailer that these costumes are not period accurate. They all look like contemporary fashion interpreting 1920s Halloween costumes. The hair and makeup look like they’re from the present day. The architecture and interior design look much too contemporary to even pretend to be from the 20s. The colors are a bit too bright and the sparkle is a bit too computer generated.”

Yet, it remains a senses treat for fashion and manners enthusiasts!

L’Édi tor