Tuesday 22 May 2012

The Great Gatsby: A Movie History

Vintage fashion fans have been going crazy waiting for the Baz Luhrmann adaption of the 1925 novel by F Scott Fitzgerald...  and the trailer is finally here! His production is the fourth cinematic version of this classic American book. 


The original (silent) film adaption was released a year after the book was published.


A second adaption was filmed in 1949, with costumes designed by legendary Hollywood costumier Edith Head.


Gene Tierney was originally lined up to play the role of Daisy Buchanan, but was dropped from production when the studio decided her beauty would be a distraction from the plot. Here's the evidence:


In 1974 it was remade with the leading stars of the time, Robert Redford and Mia Farrow, from a screenplay written by Francis Ford Coppola (although Truman Capote was also lined up for the job). Despite the heavyweight names and sumptuous sets, the movie was not a success.


Here is the trailer for Lurhmann's new movie, starring Leonardo di Caprio, Carey Mulligan and Tobey Maguire. It looks fantastic and although the Jay-Z soundtrack won't sit well with everyone, Luhrmann made Fatboy Slim work for Moulin Rouge back in 2001. 



The movie's costume designer is award-winning Catherine Martin - Lurhmann's wife and longtime collaborator. The fashion in the film had a strong influence on the Spring Summer 2012 runway shows, in particular the Ralph Lauren collection. 

We have got our hands on an original 1920s ivory ostrich feather cape, in fantastic condition. The cape won't be online for a few weeks but if you want to make an appointment for our studio, please get in touch. To give an idea of what it looks like, it's almost identical to the one from Ralph Lauren's SS12 show: 


But ours would have been worn to all those Jazz Age parties... if clothes could talk! To quote the book: 'They looked back at me, remotely, possessed by intense life'. A beautiful piece of fashion history. 

UPDATE: the ostrich feather cape sold earlier this year. Here is a photograph of our model wearing it with this dress:

Wednesday 16 May 2012

Get the look: Lana del Rey at the Met Gala

Sultry chanteuse Lana del Rey was one of the best dressed at the Met Gala last week. The event has become the fashion Oscars and marked the opening night of the Schiaparelli & Prada exhibition


Lana wore a custom-made Joseph Altuzarra evening gown and cape. We have a silver sequin dress and dark violet velvet cape that are almost identical. 


This vintage sequin gown is in mint condition and available to buy here. We also have a vintage deep violet velvet cape in the boutique at the moment... 


The cape is fully lined in purple silk. To view in our online boutique, click here

Lana is no stranger to retro looks. Earlier this year she performed at the Mulberry dinner during London Fashion Week wearing a beautiful black dress with lace sleeves and sporting a serious beehive.


For a similar look, we have an original 1960s lace shift in our boutique at the moment. Click on this link to view online. 

Our new collection will be online very soon. To keep informed of flash sales and events, please sign up to our newsletter. 

Studio photography by Dani Riot 

Monday 7 May 2012

Welcome back!

Our boutique re-opened last Thursday. We have rails of amazing new stock which will be uploaded over the next couple of weeks... in the meantime, feel free to make an appointment to visit our studio in Bloomsbury to get first dibs!

Whilst we were away, stylist Charlie Anderson flew some Juno Says Hello dresses over to LA to use in a film noir-themed editorial for the debut issue of Summary Magazine



This original 1940s dress is available to buy here.


The editorial also featured an original 1950s silk chiffon dress, which we have since sold to a bride-to-be for her Spanish hilltop wedding. We photographed the dress in our studio last year:


The next studio sale will be on 24th May. Champagne, cake and discounts. Please get in touch if you would like to come along.