The Great Gatsby Version 2.0

This past weekend I went to see the new Baz Luhrmann directed film The Great Gatsby. I know that lots of people thought the original with Robert Redford and Mia Farrow was better, and some people hated the Jay-Z directed soundtrack, but I loved it! Luhrmann decided to use the modern music of Jay-Z, because he wanted the audience to feel like they were hearing something new for the first time, in a similar manner to how people in the twenties would have felt hearing jazz music. "We've got to get the audience to feel how it must have felt to hear jazz for the first time at a party, you need to feel how scintillating, extraordinary, new and dynamic these things were; there needs to be a frisson of the new for people to actually understand what it was really like to be there in the Twenties,"(Vogue.co.uk) he said. I think that I would have to see the original film again to really determine which one I prefer, but at this point I would say that they are very different, and each film offers it's own pros and cons. The point of this blog, however, is of course, to discuss the fashion, which was plentiful and amazing. Tiffany designed a special collection of 1920s inspired pieces for this film, and if you are a baller you can go right ahead and buy some for yourself! Catherine Martin was the costume designer for the film and she worked with Muiccia Prada and Brooks Brothers to bring the roaring twenties fashion to the big screen. The 1920s trend definitely came onto the fashion scene last spring, when the anticipation for the film first began to grow. We saw it last year at Gucci and Ralph Lauren to name a few, and this year the trend is still going strong, especially now that The Great Gatsby is in theatres.

Three 1920s-inspired looks from the Ralph Lauren s/s 2012 runway. Another look from this collection was worn by Camilla Belle to the Met Gala last year, and she took my number spot for best dressed! Check her out here: http://www.clairesversailles.blogspot.ca/2012/05/costume-institure-gala-at-met-2012.html

This one is for the boys! Because there is a car. This is Carey Mulligan in The Great Gatsby, wearing a gorgeous lace dress, hat and T-strap shoes. T-strap shoes or sandals are an excellent way to bring a little Jazz Age flair to your look this summer.

Gucci t-strap sandal s/s 2012

Runway to real life! Camilla Belle in Gucci s/s 2012 on the right. This gal looks greats in flapper styles! In fact, I think she looks significantly better than the model.

A freaking amazing Art Deco-inspired purse by Gucci.

One way to get two men to fight over you is to pair fur with copious amounts of jewels, as we see Daisy doing here. Also take note of the golden snake on the bannister: amazing.

 Daisy's approach to accessories is more is more. Sometimes I tend to agree! Coco Chanel said that you should always take one thing off before you leave the house, but Daisy had a different approach. I mean, she has diamonds, pears, a headband, and fur! Totally fab.

Carey Mulligan on set. I love her hat! I wish she was wearing it...

A closer look at the one Prada design worn by Daisy in the film. Many of the secondary characters wore designs by Prada. On the right is the original Prada design, which was reworked for the film. The chandelier gown features an interlocking web of drop crystals, and Daisy wears it to a big party at Gatsby's mansion.

 It takes a real man to pull off a pink suit!

 These are the Great Gatsby windows at the Tiffany flagship store in NYC. Just as a side note, those old fashioned champagne glasses were originally modeled after Marie Antoinette's breasts.

 

One of my favorite pieces from the Tiffany collection is this pearl necklace with a tassel pendant.

Don't worry, though, if you can't afford the diamonds and pearls, or you prefer to spend your money on shoes and clothes, this next segment is for you.

The Gigi fringed wedge from Charlotte Olympia. I have a dress that looks like this, which is maybe a more conventional way to wear fringe, but I think this shoe is awesome! And a totally modern interpretation of a classic flapper look. It can be all yours for only 725 pounds! Ha, I wish.

Charlotte Olympia's blue and pink Perfume clutches. Really, just go to her website if you want some modern day jazz-age accessories. But only if you like to dream or if you have a fat wallet.

For a more wallet-friendly bit of Jazz Age style try a Gatsby-esque boater hat. This one is Goorin Brothers and is $54 at www.goorin.com. I'm sure you could find one for less somewhere like H&M or the Bay.

Flat t-strap sandals from Zara. These are available on their website now for $49.99. Now, I'm pretty sure Daisy Buchanan would not have worn flats, but a modern day gal needs at least a couple pairs in her repertoire and they would look really cute with shorts.

Daisy would totally wear these, though. Also available at Zara for $89.90.




A fringe dress by Versace...this would be a lot more awesome if it didn't slightly remind me of human hair. I think if I could forget that, then I would love it.





A fringed dress from H & M's Conscious Collection for spring 2013. I feel like the really long fringe makes it more modern, since that is a little different than most fringe dresses you see. The dress is made from 100% recycled materials. As far as I can tell, though it is only available in the UK. It retails for 79.99 pounds, so maybe if you want it super badly, you could order it online.

So why not try some Jazz Age glamour at the next party you go to? A little fringe, a lot of pearls, feathers, a hat, or something Art Deco-inspired, perhaps. Just make sure you have fun, because we all know they sure did back in the twenties!

Cheers to that!

PUNK: Chaos to Couture The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala

This year's Met Gala studied the influence of punk culture on couture fashion. Punk's anti-establishment sensibilities and high-fashion seem at first to be complete opposites, but ever since punk first came on the scene in the 1970s, both ready-to-wear and couture fashion has been influenced by punk on varying levels. According to the Metropolitan Museum's website, the exhibit will be "focusing on the relationship between the punk concept of 'do-it-yourself' and the couture concept of 'made-to-measure,' the exhibition will be organized around the materials, techniques, and embellishments associated with the anti-establishment style."
I am somewhat embarrassed to admit that I had a "punk" phase in high school. I say that I am embarrassed because I was not a real punk by any stretch of the imagination. Tatoos and body piercings have always grossed me out (when I was a fully grown adult I chickened out of a nose piercing), I've never dyed my hair a weird colour, or tried cutting it myself, and I generally find an all-black ensemble boring at best and depressing at worst. I did, however listen to The Ramones, The Clash and The Sex Pistols. As for my fashion during this time, I think the most punk thing I have ever owned is a gross polyester tank top in dark red that had "punk" spelled out in a variety of studs across the front of it. No, I will not be providing any photographic evidence of this phase. Sorry. Anyway, let's see how the ladies on the red carpet at the Met Gala fared. I hope they went more couture than chaos, but still with a slightly punkish edge!

Since there are too many amazing and terrifying looks to discuss I am changing up the format this time. Rather a best and worst five, I will just be listing a bunch of looks and discussing.


Taylor Swift in J. Mendel.
Punk looks good on her! I love that she is looking a little edgier than usual. I swear if I see her looking cutesy and girly one more time, he is banned from my blog forever. I love all the geometric cut-outs, and the embellished neckline.

Jennifer Lawrence in Christian Dior.
I have a feeling that this looks better in person. I love how she added some punk touches to a classic New Look silhouette. The red lipstick, spiked Brian Atwood shoes (they actually have flowers with spikes in them on the heels), leather belt and black veil add some much needed edge to this look. Go J.Law!



Anja Rubik in Anthony Vaccarello.
Ok, this biatch needs to find a new favorite designer. If you read my post on last year's Met Gala, you might recall that she wore the same designer and was on the worst dressed list. All I can think of when I look at this is Michael Jackson in his Thriller video. Just to be clear, that is not a compliment. Oops, I just threw up in my mouth a little.

Stella Tennant in Christopher Kane.
WTF??? She looks like a tranny, and not in a good way. Hairy beast is happening on the top, and a severe case of camel toe is happening on the bottom. She's a freaking model, for goodness sake can't she find someone to lend her nice clothes? Or at the very least something from a women's collection?

Gisele Bundchen in Anthony Vaccarello.
Aha, so he can design something good! Who knew? I freaking love her shoes too! They are Stella Luna for Anthony Vaccarello. I like how she added some punk to her look with the hardware on her dress and the giant spikes on her shoes. The soft hair is a perfect contrast to a more edgy outfit.


Blake Lively in Gucci Premiere.
No fairsies! Since she is the current face of Gucci's latest scent she gets all the Gucci she could ever want...This gown is so beautiful, and I love the slightly shredded quality of the skirt, it adds that punk touch. I am glad that she kept her hair up and simple so as not to compete with the dress. The only think that bugs me a little bit is that her boobs look slightly smashed.


Linda Evangelista in Marchesa.
Holy, evil stepmother! I never thought that I would see her looking her age, let alone this much older! This is one of the most beautiful supermodels ever, and she looks like one of Henry VIII's wives, except at least they wore corsets to give them some shape. I would definitely chop off her head for wearing this. Also, I am surprised that Marchesa would make something so totally unflattering.


Sienna Miller in Burberry Prorsum with an Eddie Borgo tiara.
Now, this is punk. And I kinda love it. She looks like she is wearing a really well-cut nightie and threw on her studded biker jacket over top. Totally perfect for the event.




Sarah Jessica Parker in Giles with Christian Louboutin boots and a Philip Treacy headpiece.
Ok, I am going to say it: You are not Carrie Bradshaw in real life! And also: you are old, please put your panties away. So, yes the tartan boots are punk, but they are also ugly. Good for her for trying to fit in with the punk theme, but this is ridiculous. Oh, and did she steal her hat from a Roman gladiator?


Katie Holmes in Calvin Klein Collection.
I love the simplicity of this gown and the ethereal feel it has. I would have liked if she had added a bracelet, though. Otherwise, it is perfection.




Gwenyth Paltrow in Valentino.
I love the colour but everything else is just weird. The random stripe of skin just ruins everything. If it didn't have that, and she added a badass necklace, this would be awesome.


Constance Jablonski in Wes Gordon.
Nope, I've never heard of her or the designer. Probably best that way. First of all, she should not be smiling in that outfit. If you are going to try and pull off a leather bondage corset/choker dont accessorize it with a sunny smile, it defeats the whole purpose and is so NOT punk. The wrinkly gold mess underneath looks like what happens to old people when they move to Florida, and trust me, that is nothing to smile about.


Beyonce in Givenchy Haute Couture.
This is one hot mess, which is sad because she started out with a pretty fierce gown. The train is stunning. The long gloves are terrible; I'm pretty sure prom queens don't even wear those anymore. The only person who has any right to be wearing gloves like that is Jessica Rabbit. The belt is way too much with this dress that already has a lot going on, but the worst part is those heinous boots! They are the ugliest boots I have seen in a long time. Bleeeech. I also don't love this neckline, it's not very flattering on her. Take away the boots, the gloves and the belt and this would be pretty amazing. Shame on you, Beyonce for ruining something so gorgeous.


Madonna in Givenchy Haute Couture and Casadei ankle-strap pumps.
So, this is definitely chaos, rather than couture despite the fact that it is, technically, couture. I would expect nothing less of Madonna, but maybe she could try shocking us like she used to back in the ninties, and I don't know, wear PANTS! I do love her shoes, though, but they really don't go with the rest of her outfit.




Cameron Diaz in Stella McCartney.
I love, love, love this! It reminds me a bit of the Tom Ford caped ensemble that Gwenyth Paltrow wore to the Oscars last year. The spiky belts adds the perfect touch of punk, and she just looks so elegant and cool at the same time. However, the tightly slicked back hair is doing her no favours, especially paired with such a severe dress. Also, she really needs to cool it with the Botox.


Mary-Kate Olsen (left) in a vintage Chanel gown a vintage Balmain jacket and Ashley Olsen (right) in a vintage Christian Dior Haute Couture gown.
Well, I didn't really expect anything better from these two, but they look like idiots. It's like they are only wearing it because it's rare vintage and they didn't notice how extremely unflattering it is. There is really nothing more to say.


Nicole Richie in Topshop Unique.
If you are famous amazing designers will lend you gowns, so please don't wear crap from Topshop. The dress is so-so, but the HAIR!!! WTF?!?! Is that her interpretation of punk? It's just way too creepy.

 Michelle Williams in Saint Laurent with an Olympia Le Tan clutch. I am loving her hair! Very Victoria Beckham circa 2006. And I am really into mullet dresses. Tres chic!

 Allison Williams in Altuzarra.
Very Morticia Addams, and not in a good way. Too sheer, too many cutouts, her hair totally doesn't go with the gown, and just yuuuuuck. Plus, it's too long, the train comes around to the front, and looks a mess.

After all that, I feel as though I must crown a winner. Aaaaaaaannnnnnd....its a tie! Gisele and Blake take the cake! Good job ladies.