The great gatsby style

Trends and styles influenced from the film

Eagerly awaited and set to influence fashion and interior trends in the coming months, is the release of the film remake of, The Great Gatsby. Australian director Baz Lurhmann's adaptation of the original F.Scott Fitzgerald novel, will open the Cannes Film Festival this year and was screened in glorious 3D on the first night of the Festival's schedule on May 15th.

The 1974 film version starred Robert Redford as Jay Gatsby and Mia Farrow as Daisy Buchanan, but was never acclaimed as a successful or accurate representation of the novel; something which Lurhmann hopes to change.

In his hands the production is set against a glitzy, flashy, period background and the adaptation is given a modern twist with an impressive and contemporary sound track which features music by the likes of Beyonce, Bryan Ferry, Jay Z and Florence and the Machine.

The Story

Set in New York City in the roaring 1920's, in an era of economic strength following World War I and during a time when parties were bigger, morals were looser, liquor was cheaper and stocks rocketed; Lurhmann's jazz age saga stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby, Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan and Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway.

The story follows Jay Gatsby's attempt to win back his lost love, Daisy Buchanan and the journey of wood-be writer Nick Carraway (who becomes Gatsby's confidant) as he leaves the Midwest and comes to New York in the spring of 1922.

Following his own American dream, Carraway lands in the States next to the mysterious, party-giving and high-living millionaire Jay Gatsby, across the bay from his cousin Daisy and her blue-blooded and philandering husband, Tom Buchanan (played by Joel Edgerton); where he finds himself drawn into the world of the super rich, their illusions, loose morals, loves and deceits.

The Styles of the Era

The prominent design style throughout the era was Art Deco. This was an influential design style which first appeared in France during the early 1920's and flourished internationally throughout the 30's and 40's until it waned post World War II. The style has seen numerous revivals and adaptations over the decades and is now set to see probably its most popular resurgence to date, with the release of this lavish period production.

Deco is a glamorous but eclectic style that combines tradition with technology. Traditional arts & crafts motifs were combined with machine age imagery, materials and production techniques. The style is characterized by bold geometric shapes, lavish ornamentation and rich colours such as black and gold.

The predecessor of this style was Art Nouveau. The two are often confused, but nouveau was a style which favoured more organic motifs, asymmetry, softer lines and flourishes, which gave the designs movement; in contrast to the more rigid and symmetrical geometry of deco designs.

Art Deco represented luxury, glamour, exuberance, and faith in social and technological advances. Historians refer to it as an assertively modern style that ran to symmetry rather than asymmetry, and to the rectilinear rather than the curvilinear. The design of this period responded to the demands of the machine, of new materials and the requirements of mass production.

As regards fashion, elegant drop waste flapper dresses were all the rage, accompanied by long pearl necklaces, cropped hair do's glamorised with Marcel Waving, skull cap hats and detailed hair bands.

Evening and wedding dresses were elegant and slim fitting to emphasise long lines and curves. This period of fashion was flattering, elegant and embellished.

Influence on Current Trends

So what trends can we expect to see emerging from this period inspiration? We all know by now that fashion follows interiors and interiors follow fashion and season on season, designers have to find their inspiration from somewhere.

The release of this eagerly awaited film was set to inspire everything style wise from fashion and fabrics, to shimmer and sequin, Gatsby inspired, hen nights at Claridge's even.

The hype surrounding this new period piece when its production was first announced last year fascinated fashionistas everywhere and had fashion houses throwing twenties references around with giddy abandon as they prepared for the catwalks and catalogues of spring 2012. Couture designers and mass retailers alike were releasing collections featuring 1920's style signature details, such as fringes, drop waists and sequins, inspired by the elegant flapper dresses which epitomised the era, geometric fabric and wallpaper designs and art deco inspired jewellery.

Some of the style influences that started to emerge last summer, from from dresses to bridal gowns, and lighting to jewellery. Even Katy Perry abandoned her extravagant and eccentric wardrobe of rainbow colours to don a slinky satin Nolan Miller gown, complete with the era's standard long pearl necklace, cropped do and detailed headband. (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)

However, the release was delayed, then delayed again and the Great Gatsby fashion wave lost a lot of its momentum. Some elements have survived the wait such as Art Deco jewellery, the chin-length bob and some interior styles details such as geometric motifs, clean lines and symmetry.

But... now that the film is actually due for release and the eagerly awaited opening night is actually upon us, we could very well see renewed interest in Gatsby style glamour and influence (or at the very least an acknowledged nod in the direction of this elegant design period again).

The film is certainly crammed with unbridled inspiration as the lavish production features scenery, costumes and jewellery, all accurately empathising with the era. The glamour and fashion of the 1920's is portrayed in this visual treat (with killer sound track let's not forget) through gorgeous dresses designed by Miuccia Prada, envy inducing gents outfits by Brook Bros (original tailors to F.Scott Fitzgerald himself) stunning Jewellery by Tiffany's and accurately reproduced interiors and exteriors of the age; all of which can surely only help to inspire a 1920's design resurgence.

Carey Mulligan (Daisy Buchanan) wearing Miuccia Prada's designs (in particular the chandelier dress) and some of Brook Bros outfits designed for DiCaprio and co-stars.

So we could still see 1920's style glamour take a starring role on our catwalks and in our interiors in the coming seasons. I personally think it would be a shame if we didn't. After all, with glittering, swinging, shift dresses, rhythmic jazz bands, glamorous supper clubs and an era of economic prosperity - what's not to like about the roaring 1920's?

So if you like 1920's style and glamour then read on for some inspirational images and affordable products to help you to get the look for less in your home.

Great Gatsby Style

To summarise what identified the era as regards style, it was glamour, glitz, wealth, diamonds, dinner jackets, flapper dresses, symmetrical geometry, clean lines, simplistic motifs and rich colours. It was an age of out and out opulence, decadence, luxury and high jinks.

Here is an example of a luxurious Art Deco Interior

So, as far as interiors go, how do you create this 'style' in your home in a way that nods authentically at the era but also fits in with an up to date home and a moderns lifestyle?

Aim for sumptuous with a touch of glamour with regards to soft furnishings. Consider beaded trims, fringes or tassels to echo those swishy flapper dresses, or look for wallpapers, prints and fabric with suitable motif designs. You don't have to be too accurate; you're not necessarily looking for a genuine 1920's reproduction, just something that pays homage to the linear, geometrical, clean lines of the 1920's iconic shapes and motifs.

Keep to simple, clean lines with minimal detail for furniture, particularly large pieces like sofas and add your theme with cushions, throws and accessories. This way, as trends and fashions change you are not left with the expensive task of changing your furniture to fit a new scheme.

As regards colours, black, white, silver and shades of yellow and gold are all good colours, which accurately represent the era. For ultra glitz and extra sumptuous glamour, throw in a splash of diamante or cut glass. You can achieve this with beaded or embroidered fabrics & scatter cushions or introduce some glass or mirrored accessories such as picture frames or crystal candle sticks. Maybe add a sparkling tiered chandelier - no Gatsby-esque room would be complete without one!

Above image are a style suggestion only

The stunning lifestyle shot above shows a brilliant example of how it can be done. The room has a very plain and neutral backdrop and a collection of carefully selected fabrics with relevant motif designs has been used to add colour, detail and style.

Note that the furniture, tables and lamp are quite modern, but because they are plain and simple, they suit the scheme and allow the theme to be added purely by the additional soft furnishings. A room like this could easily have a style change on a regular basis with little effort or expense.