Fashion Inspirations from The Great Gatsby

Just the other morning I watched the trailer for the new "The Great Gatsby" movie coming out this Christmas season.  It's not surprising that I was immediately blown away by the costuming, as the director is Baz Luhrmann, of Romeo and Juliet and Moulin Rouge.  You can watch it here:

I vow I will re-read the novel once more before the movie just to refresh my mind.

Inspired by the dazzling costumes of The Great Gatsby and the glamour of the Roaring Twenties, I have compiled a few trends that make me want to get all dolled up (yes, that's a 1920's slang term).

Dropped waists

Dress, Zara

Dress, BCBG MaxAzria

Usually I am all about the high waists, and so you would think I wouldn't touch this trend, but I'm actually really into it this season!

Fringe

I love the texture and the movement that fringe creates on any item.  I recently bought a black leather fringed belt from BCBG and I'm in love with it.  I have worn it with several of my dresses and skirts and it just adds something special to an otherwise ordinary piece.

Necklace, Zara

Dress, Topshop

Clutch, Topshop

Top, BCBG MaxAzria

Scallops

Again, it's all about the texture that creates decadence and richness to an article of clothing or accessory.  The oxford look was all the rage in the 1920s and still looks good today.

T-strap pump, Town Shoes

Skirt, Zara

Sparkle

The opulence of the Roaring Twenties is impossible to ignore.  It was all about celebrating wealth and wearing it for all to see.  Sequins, jewels and chains galore!  

Heels, Town Shoes

T-Strap pump, Town Shoes

Dress, Zara

Earrings, Aldo

Necklace, Le Chateau

Barette, Le Chateau

Sequined shorts, Topshop

Headband, Topshop

Pump, Town Shoes

Skirt, BCBG MaxAzria

Now, I'm quite aware that I will literally look like I'm on my way to a New Year's Eve party if I go out decked head to toe in all this glitter and glam, so I urge you to break it up and dress down some of these trends if just heading out to the bar on a Saturday night.  See you at the speakeasy ;)

xo Amber

Summer 2011: Epilogue

I'm not going to comment on how long it's been since my last post.  It's extremely evident.  Moving forward, what an amazing summer that was!  Yes it went by quickly and yes I spent a lot of time indoors, hunched over my desk/my friend's dining room table working on what needed to be done, but wow...I seriously have a lot to show for it!

In the perfect culmination of everything I have been working toward, I had organized an amazing creative collaboration:  Grunge & Glamour at the Gladstone, held in Toronto at the Gladstone Hotel.  The event started with hip hop DJ Marko, followed by TO rock band The One-Look Donnybrook and ended with my swimwear runway show (accompanied by The OLD).  Visual artist Nick Sweetman covered the walls of the venue in his artwork.  It was so satisfying to see it finally come together...often we make plans or think of great ideas and they don't always materialize.  This is one of those ideas that not only came to be, but turned out even better than the original seed of thought.  The venue was perfect for the feel we were going for and the Gladstone staff were unbelievably amazing to work with the entire time.  We sold out the tickets and received so much positive feedback.  In the process, I was able to work with old friends, make new ones, and close a chapter on a part of my fashion design.  Also, the collection that I showed for the G & G event will be my last one that I made on my old sewing machine and likely will not be shown again.  The morning before the show, I drove to Newmarket to pick up my fresh new collection, which will be debuted at Ottawa Fashion Week at the end of this month!  So begins the next chapter...

Here's a shot of me with my models after the show.  I was lucky again to work with an amazing team.  The girls were so fun and had such great attitudes...the Green Room was a total party.  Hair was styled by the talented Kyle Hannaford from Head Candy Salon in Toronto.

Photo credit:  Santiago Ortega

For more photos from the runway show, click here or here.

Cheers to a new season!

xo Amber