F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby is
unequivocally one of the best literary works of the twentieth century. ‘In my
younger and more vulnerable years’ (to quote the opening lines of the novel’s realistically
flawed narrator, Nick Carraway), I was introduced to the text at school and was
instantly smitten.
It follows the tale of one enigmatic
man’s unquenchable sense of hope as he tirelessly strives to win back a love that
slipped through his fingers years before, all amid the corruption and decadence
of Jazz Age New York. Though evocative of its era, it is a timeless story that resonates as strongly today as it did then, and with gorgeous prose and short,
pacey chapters, The Great Gatsby is a
must-read you’ll devour in no time at all and be left wanting more.
As the excitement grows for the
release of Baz Luhrmann’s latest bold new film adaption starring Carey Mulligan
and Leonardo Dicaprio, it seems that Gatsby mania has taken hold.
Francis Cugat’s
poignant artwork for the original edition of The Great Gatsby (right) so impressed F. Scott Fitzgerald that he decided
to reference it in the book itself: ‘I had no girl whose disembodied face
floated along the dark cornices and blinding signs’. As well as new editions of
this cover, many others are now being released. In particular, Penguin has
created a sumptuous new set of Fitzgerald’s stories with beautiful, shimmering Art
Deco covers (Below).
Perhaps most
influenced of all by the renewed interest in all things 20s is, however, the
fashion world, as seen in Sue Wong’s new collection of elegant evening gowns dripping
with glittering jewels and embroidered beading. And it’s no small wonder, with
Prada having designed the dazzling array of costumes for the film’s actresses,
mixing vintage styles with some of its more recent lines to create some strikingly
beautiful and daring new pieces (below).
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| Four sketches released by Prada for their The Great Gatsby costume designs |
Along with hit
series such as Mad Men and Boardwalk Empire, The Great Gatsby is also prompting men to look to the iconic styles
of the past in favour of sleek tailoring, tie pins and luxurious fabrics. Being
an advocate of classic men’s attire, I couldn’t be more thrilled.
In a bid to
remain faithful to the look of the period, Catherine Martin, the film’s Academy
Awarding-winning Production Designer, approached Brooks Brothers (the clothing company
that the author Fitzgerald himself used) to design the clothes for the film’s leading
actors as well as all the male extras. To tie in with the film’s release,
Brooks Brothers have released a collection based on the garments used in the
film, even including their trademark straw boater hats (see below).
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| Brooks Brothers new Gatsby collection based on the garments they created for Luhrmann's new film. |
Fitzgerald
was also a patron of iconic jewellers Tiffany & Co. with whom Martin also collaborated
for the film. Tiffany created signature pieces, such as Gatsby’s daisy-themed
signet ring (below), as well as allowed costume
designers access to their extensive archives in order to recreate jewellery
contemporary to the period, like the
exquisite tiara band (below) sported by actress Carey Mulligan at one of Gatsby’s
extravagant parties. What’s more, the jewellers has released its Jazz Age Glamour Collection, decorating
the flagship Fifth Avenue store with window displays inspired by the film (below). To show their appreciation for the original book, Tiffany has even granted
Orion Books permission to use a design from their archives to create a new book
cover.
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| Some of Tiffany's deco Jazz Age Glamour Collection window displays, New York |
The film will be in cinemas on 10th May, and I not only hope
it is able to live up to the hype surrounding it, but that it also does justice
to Fitzgerald’s masterpiece. If nothing else, Luhrmann’s adaption has made us appreciate
once more all the beautiful artistic triumphs of a bygone era. I leave you with the words of Jay Gatsby himself: “‘Can’t repeat the past?’ he cried incredulously. ‘Why of course you
can!’”
