The Great Gatsby Fashion

Everyone has heard of The Great Gatsby whether you have read the book, seen the original movie, or seen previews for the remake that premieres in May 2013. The Great Gatsby is written by F.Scott Fitzgerald and covers the Roaring Twenties in Long Island, New York. The 1920’s fashion has been a huge influence on current fashion trends. From shorter skirts to looser boyish silhouettes women and men have really grown to love the 1920’s style.

The 1920’s was a time of liberation and wealth with jazz dancing, fast cars, and sex.  The flapper fashion was all about being modern and stylish. The main identification of the 1920’s fashion for women was the short sleek hair like this one below:

 As you can tell, the hair was short and soft with curls rounding the face and with a deep part. Most women sported this hairdo as it was a declaration of women’s freedom.  Secondly, the hemline became much shorter on dresses and skirts. The hemline prior was closer to the ankles and in the wake of the Roaring Twenties, the hemline had risen to a little above the knee. Along with the shorter skirts came the masculine silhouettes. After the first world war, the woman had a bigger impact in family lifestyle as the woman had to step in as a father figure as the men were away at war. This stuck through the roaring twenties as female clothing became less fitted with the waist disappearing and the broadening of the shoulders.  This silhouette emphasized a flat chest with narrow hips. Below are a couple pictures of outfits women wore:

 One of the most famous designers made the 1920’s fashion such a big impact on future collections. This woman goes by the name of Coco Chanel. She promoted styles in neutral colors like beige, cream, and navy in fluid jersey fabrics with simple shapes that didn’t hug to the body. All women in the twenties praised her work for the clothes were comfortable, easy, and modern.

Men:

After the first world war, mean began to discard their suits with broad shoulders and go for a more athletic look with suits that were skinnier and had no padding. Men’s suit pants were given a complete 180 with creases in the front, cuffs at the bottom, and belts to accentuate the waist. Pastel colors were worn under the suits with silk ties. To top of the look bowler hats were usually worn on a day to day basis. Below are a couple pictures of men’s fashion in the 1920’s.

The Great Gatsby movie and remake:

The Great Gatsby was made into a movie in 1974 with Robert Redford as Gatsby, Mia Farrow as Daisy Buchanan, and Sam Waterston as Nick Carraway. According to Entertainment Weekly’s March 2000 issue the writers described the movies costumes as what “everyone was talking about…even before the movie released. Its old-money look was, from the white suits and impeccable tuxes worn by Robert Redford as Gatsby to the flapper dresses and beaded skullcaps worn by Mia Farrow as Daisy Buchanan. “"Women's Wear Daily adopted it as the look of the year,"” claims Bob Evans, a production executive at Paramount at the time. It became more fashion than film.” (Pener, Degen) The Great Gatsby really made the fashion industry go wild with bringing back the bowler hats, the front pleats for men, and the flapper dresses for woman. In May 2013, the remake of the Great Gatsby featuring Leonardo DIcaprio as Gatsby, Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan, and Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway will screen. It is already being talked about in the fashion industry as some of those great styles being incorporated in designer’s collections. The costumes designed by Miuccia Prada who is the Italian designer behind Miu Miu and Prada and American designer Catherine Martin are already buzzing.  Here are a couple sneak peeks of the costumes below:

The Great Gatsby was a huge inspiration to designers for the past Spring/Summer 2012 Collections. Ralph Lauren recreated these looks with drop waists, floral dresses, and slip dresses. Marc Jacobs inspired his collection off the jazz age of the 1920’s with many cabaret looks. Gucci’s designs were also inspired by the jazz age with bold art deco motifs. And Marchesa’s collection consisted of many flapper fringe dresses. With bringing these great styles back to the 21^st century allowed the designers to put their own twist to the classic 1920’s look.(Sunny day in LA) Below are some pictures of the Spring/Summer 2012 collections inspired by The Great Gatsby:

I personally can’t wait to see the remake of The Great Gatsby just to watch the remarkable fashion. I already see many of the 1920’s in collections right now so men and women, better pull out your 1920’s inspired clothing! Until next time…

Xoxo,

Alexa

  

References:

"The Great Gatsby." IMDb. IMDb.com, n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2012.

Pener, Degen. "All That Jazz From Flapper Dresses to Swanky Suits, Mia Farrow and Robert Redford Turned '20s Fashions into '70s Chic with THE GREAT GATSBY." Academic Search Complete. EBSCO, Mar. 2000. Web. 11 Dec. 2012.

 Sowry, Bibby. "Miuccia Prada Designs Costumes for The Great Gatsby." - Telegraph. Telegraph UK, 22 Aug. 2012. Web. 11 Dec. 2012.

"A Sunny Day in L.A." A Sunny Day in LA. N.p., 18 Oct. 2011. Web. 11 Dec. 2012.

#10 Alexander Wang to take over Balenciaga

For all the fashion readers who haven't heard, Alexander Wang has been set to be appointed creative director of Balenciaga this coming week. This is quite possibly one of the biggest stories in the fashion industry to hit in awhile. Alexander Wang is only 29 years old who presented his first collection in 2007. His predecessor Nicolas Ghesquiere who designed Balenciaga for 15 years was known for his experimental fashion-forward couture. However, Wang's aesthetic is a tough, strong urban sensibility with sportswear touches. Bringing in Wang will most definitely shake up the French house. Balenciaga was first founded by Spanish born Cristobol Balenciaga in his first Paris fashion show collection in 1937.  Due to failed international fame,  Balenciaga closed down his couture house in 1968. The only thing left of his business was the licensed fragrances. Four years later, Cristobol died leaving the Balenciaga French label vacant until Ghesquire came in to rebuild the company in 1997.  Many believe having Wang as the new face of Balenciaga will open the couture house to a more broad audience with his youthfulness and sportswear approach. However, Wang is walking into big shoes to fill with Ghesquire stint praised among many influential retailers with his cutting edge fashion. But will 29 year old Wang be able to handle the pressure of designing for two labels: his own and Balenciaga? Only time will tell for that.....welcome to the big leagues Alexander Wang and good luck. 

Until next time....

Xoxo,

Alexa

#9 The Evolvement of Fashion Shows!

Throughout the years, fashion shows have grown to not only present collections to buyers but now to celebrities, bloggers, and students. Each season, designers take a fashion show to the next level whether it is presenting the line on a airport runway or on a carousel like Chanel. With these evolutions also came the use of technology with fashion shows. Victoria's Secret used the television to their advantage as they were one of the first retailers to broadcast a fashion show to the world in 1995. This allowed lingerie to become mainstream entertainment for both men and woman. Victoria's Secret also was one of the first to stream a fashion show in 1999. By 2000, they had over 2 million viewers watching the annual Victoria's Secret Angels strut their stuff. Because of Victoria's Secret creativity with including technology, many retailers have adopted T.V. and Internet to allow as many people to view their recent collection. Victoria's Secret annual fashion show is a world wide event that every man watches to see the perfect long-legged "Angels" show of the lingerie while the woman stops eating her chips and writes out her future workout schedule. Below is the video of the first ever Victoria's Secret Fashion Show broadcasted online compared to last year's show! Remember that the first show had a budget of only $120,000 compared to last year's budget of $12 million!

Make sure to check out this year's show featuring performances by Rihanna, Justin Bieber, and Bruno Mars, Dec 4th 10/9c on CBS! Until next time...

Xoxo,

Alexa

#8 Lookbooks

Most people have seen a lookbook without realizing that it was just that. In definition terms, a lookbook is a collection of photographs compiled to show off a model, photographer, clothing line, style, etc. From looking at a car model lookbook to a designer's collection, almost everyone has come across one. A lookbook is prominent in the fashion industry because this book is sent to buyers and merchants in hopes that these buyers/merchants will call the designer to either place an order, or visit the showroom if close by. Lookbooks are like mini magazines that are made structurally clean and to the point. So why are lookbooks so important in this industry? Well, when a buyer visits showrooms during market weeks they are able to see and feel the clothing but there are usually not models to show what the clothing looks on. This is where the lookbook comes in and the buyer validates whether he/she likes how the clothing hangs on a person. Working at a boutique in my hometown, the buyer would always bring back lookbooks from her market trips to show her employees what items would be coming in for the next season. Below I have some pictures of what a couple different lookbooks look like from the cover, inside pages, and back cover.

(Sauce Spring 2013)

(Sauce Spring 2013)

(Sauce Spring 2013)

(Sauce Spring 2013)

(Reese and Riley Spring 2013)

(Reese and Riley Spring 2013)

(Maloom Spring 2013)

(Maloom Spring 2013)

Over the past years online lookbooks have also become popular. Sites such as Lookbook.nu and Style.com give visitors the opportunity to make your own lookbook which I find creative and fun! Through these sites you can see lookbooks made from users all over the world varying from street style to runway looks. I visit lookbook.nu often as an inspiration of style and trends starting to develop worldwide. One of my favorite lookbooks is from Style.com called "A Season Of Love". This user chose his/her favorite looks from the Spring 2013 collections. So, let me know what are your favorite lookbooks?

Lookbook.nu 

http://www.style.com/community/lookbooks/ 

Until next time...

Xoxo,

Alexa

#7 Trunk Shows

Everyone loves being invited to a fashion show, from great music to models strutting the clothes, it is an all around fun experience. But, I find being invited to a trunk show to be more exclusive. Now for those who don't know what a trunk show is, in simple terms a designer will showcase his or her line at a specific retailer for a one night only "trunk show." Back in the day, a designer would pack all of their pieces in trunks and drive from retailer to retailer and showcase their new collection. Depending on the retailer, loyal customers and buyers will be invited to this glamourous event. Here the customer or buyer can view the line up close, feel the clothing, and even pre-order the clothes right there! Of course with champagne and hors d'oeuvres in your hand. I grew up always hearing that my mom would be hosting a trunk show at the stores she managed in Dallas,TX called The Gabezo and what later turned into Tootsies. Back in the day, major designers such as Michael Kors, Issac Mizrahi, Marc Jacobs, Lela Rose, and Nicole Miller would go to every one of their trunk shows. My mom got the pleasure of meeting and working with all these designers! Unfortunately, most now don't go to their own trunk shows unless they are a start-up designer trying to get his/her name out there in the industry. I find trunk shows to be more intimate and personable to the customer and buyer which is a benefit compared to a fashion show. Below I have a couple pictures of what trunk show invites look like.

One day I'll hopefully be invited to a trunk show! Have you ever been to one? Until next time...

Xoxo,
Alexa

#6: Louis Vuitton Spring '13 Fashion Show

We all know that when the month of September is over, every designer has showcased their Spring 2013 line to the world. Thanks to technology, I don't have to be in Paris, Milan, or London to know what these lines look like. Most designers will live stream their collection to the web and everyone around the world has the opportunity to watch the runway show just like they are sitting front row. I have to say out of all the shows I watched online my favorite was Louis Vuitton. Every season Louis Vuitton and Chanel fight for my heart on which show I like better. Louis Vuitton was extremely creative in using escalators to transport the models in pairs usually to the runway. Not only was the set a great area to see all the models but also the line in general was just pure genius! The way the fabrics brought about a shimmery pictorial look was what really drew me in. With the small top handle bags and head bands with bouffant hair, Marc Jacobs really captured the 60's mod era. If you all haven't already seen Louis Vuitton's Spring Collection, here is the line below.

(Via Youtube)

So if this collection didn't capture your eye, then tell me which show did! Until next time...

Xoxo,
Alexa

#5 Favorite Window Displays

Everyday I am lucky enough to roam the streets of the beautiful New York City    And the fact that I attend school right in the middle of the fashion district puts the cherry on top. During breaks in between classes there is one thing I enjoy besides working out. And that is window shopping. Of cours once you go off to college you become at one point the poor college kid. So yes at that moment that is where I am but that doesn't mean I can't go window shopping. Because then I can secretly plan my birthday and even Christmas list to send to the parentals. As I pass boutiques to Macy's to H&M one store's window displays always stand out to me. And this is American Apparel. It's funny because I rarely shop there since the prices are so high due to their clothing being made in the USA. But I always stop and look at their window displays. I always pass the American Apparel off of 30th and 7th Ave (Fashion). When I passed it this past week it really caught my eye. The separated their window displays into 3 different ones. Half was the women's apparel while the other half was split with children's and men's. the backdrop for the women's looked like a Saharan desert with a dusky blue sky and tan sand. The mannequins were either lounging,sitting,or standing. The outfits seemed to stay with the theme colors of tan, faded blue, and creme/white. The outfits seemed to really entice me to want to walk in and see what I could buy! 

On the opposite window display the children's seemed very cute. A chandelier was made of a variety of color scrunchies. They kept the mannequins simple with key colors yellow, faded blue, and tan. 

Right beside the children's was the men. Their backdrop involved a simple rack of casual sleep shirts. To the right and left of the 2 male mannequins was rows of backpacks and duffles in variations of blue. The men's kept it basic with sticking to the blue tones in their long cardigans and khakis. 

I applaud the visual merchandising team of that American Apparel because it seemed to me I wasn't the only person to stop and look at the window displays and eventually walk in. Window displays are one of the main reasons to convert typical bypassers into customers. So now that I've said my favorite window displays what are some of y'all's? Until next time...

Xoxo,

Alexa