Gatsby’s world has always been one of extravagance and excess, and if there’s one thing that a glimpse of Miuccia Prada’s newly released costume sketches for the film tell us – so too will be the nature of the outfits. Prada worked with costume designer Catherine Martin to create over 40 looks for the new Baz Luhrmann epic, each inspired by styles from the Prada and Miu Miu archive. Martin explains the genius of the Prada/Lurhmann pairing lies in the parallels between the way they both work. “I said to Baz, you’re looking at the past through modern glasses and she looks to the future through historical glasses.”
The unveiled sketches show an orange organza dress, scaled with sequined embroidery; a pearl, stone and sequined embellished seafoam green bustier dress; a stripy blue sequin number (inspired by the house’s SS 2011 collection); and a knee-length octane-coloured tulle dress, lined with silk cady and done up with Swarovski crystals.
A connection between Prada and Lurhmann was central to the portrayal of fashion as a central theme to the world of Gatsby and how that concept is explored on the big screen. “Baz and Miuccia have always connected on their shared fascination with finding modern ways of releasing classic and historical references from the shackles of past,” explains Martin. “This connection is central to our relationship with Miuccia Prada on The Great Gatsby, and has connected our vision with hers. In the same way Nick Carraway reflects on a world that he is within and without, we have tried to create an environment that the audience will be subconsciously familiar with, yet separated from.”
The glamour of the costumes extends right through to accessories as Tiffany and Co served as fine jeweler to the film, aiming to dazzle audiences with their selection of dramatic period jewelry. Martin worked with the brand to create a collection of platinum-set diamonds and pearls. The company’s executive vice presidant, Jon King said of the collaboration: “This collaboration is natural for us. Our archives contain spectacular jewels from the 1920s that are the basis of the one-of-a-kind designs we have created for this iconic American story.”
The fringed dress, pearls, diamonds and sequined gowns, will all be properly unveiled when The Great Gatsby opens in Australia on May 30.
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