Jazz Age aficionados look no further...

With Baz Lurhmann’s long awaited remake of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s quintessential Jazz Age novel, The Great Gatsby, due for release this year, the fashion world is preparing to go ga-ga over the glitz and glamour of the roaring twenties.  

The Great Gatsby follows the mysterious life of Jay Gatsby as he immerses himself in the sumptuous yet superficial world of 1920s New York, in an effort to rekindle romance with his childhood sweetheart Daisy Buchanan. 

Widely considered a classic “American Dream” novel of personal quest, materialistic excess and inevitable tragedy, Fitzgerald’s influence remains pertinent to this day, still oozing the inspirational charm of effortlessly elegant chic.

In a world of economic prosperity, alcohol bootlegging and lavish parties, Gatsby’s girls understood the paramount importance of nailing a look.  Finally, Long Island fashion is making a comeback, with the 2012 spring/summer catwalks giving a firm nod towards Daisy’s enviable wardrobe.

Ralph Lauren's 2012 Collection

Gucci showcased a shimmering array of black, white and gold sequinned flapper dresses with drop-waists and beaded fringing, while Ralph Lauren catered his collection for both day- think cloche hats, patterned headscarves and silky florals, and night- add some feathers and gold art deco jewellery.  

Riding on the riotous success of black and white silent film The Artist, footwear centres around classic takes on the curved “Louis” heel with girlish “Mary Jane” straps, while it’s all about the embellished purses and cigarette box clutch bags. 

Furthermore, if you’ve always fancied accessorising for a lazy summer picnic or garden party with a lacy parasol, your opportune moment has arisen.

Hope and promise, for Gatsby, take the symbolic form of Daisy’s green dock light; for Durham students, in this dark age of revision, minimal sleep and hourly Yum coffees, it hovers on the horizon in the form of hazy summer balls, boozy formals and that all-important buzzword among finalists, “graduation”.   

Already puzzling over what attire to indulge in? Palatinate Fashion is ready to assist, for soon we’ll be saying goodbye to exams and hello to diamonds, daiquiris and decadence…

Straight off the Catwalk

Here, as promised, are some photographs from the catwalks at London Fashion Week. The first four images are from the collection by Spijkers en Spijkers. Inspired by the Persian queen with distinct 1930s elements, the graphic stars, tassles and fringing are colourfully exciting and eye-catching.

The following three images are from the collection by Kiki Kamanu, showcased at The Strand Palace Hotel. The Nigerian American designer presented a vibrant, opulent display of her cultural roots, complete with striking make-up.

Link to the rest of my London Fashion Week set: www.flickr/com/jessdenham

In Search of Pretty Things at London Fashion Week

Yesterday I visited Somerset House, the central location for London Fashion Week, where I was given access to the designer exhibitions with a photography pass. Below are some images from the collection exhibited by Ada Zanditon in collaboration with jewellery designer Luca Romanyi.

This necklace was created from recycled plastic and contains shredded ten pound notes that look like decaying leaves. Disappointingly, no money was wildly torn up for the sake of art as the notes had been discontinued. However, its creation happened to coincide with the credit crunch, giving it extra, if unintended cool points. The metallic glint of the money gives the piece an autumnal shine and fits perfectly with the AW11 trend for bronzes, silvers and golds.

The above necklace and its counterpart bracelet below were inspired by seahorses. The wood used is from Romanyi's father's furniture making company. Simple, bold and eye-catching with a fun tribal twist.

Catwalk photos coming soon....!