Fashion Focus: Jazz Age-inspired fashion for Spring/Summer 2012

Ranya Mordanova & Janice Seinen Alida Vogue Turkey, March ’12

The Roaring Twenties, was definitely the time of a new woman – free, self-confident and extravagant vixen releasing from the tight rules and corsets. The woman who finally could abolish the old-fashioned vision of a home-hidden woman with career centered ambitions and liberty of mind. The Jazz Age was some kind of a fresh breeze of opulence that allowed women to experiment with a new fashion – flapper silhouettes with androgyny twist, Orient style and headwear detailing, swinging fringe embellishments, sharp knife pleats, sensual transparency and fluidity of silk. The decade was unfortunately placed between cruelty of First World War and upcoming Great Depression that deemed the self-esteem of the 1920s.

Daga Ziober in Vogue Germany, January 2012

The style of Jazz Age with all the lavish attributes like golden embellishments, sharp pleats, vivid graphic prints, feathers and ostrich hair detailing together with fringed hems is also ever returning fashion trend initialized by Ralph Lauren. That is because the designer was responsible for costume project for “Great Gatsby”, the movie adaptation from 1974 with Robert Redford and Mia Farrow as the protagonists.

“Great Gatsby” (1974) Mia Farrow and Robert Redford

The great revival of The Roaring Twenties on the Spring/Summer 2012 catwalks results from the remake of the “Great Gatsby” movie adaptation by the director Baz Luhrmann that is going to be released in late 2012. The silhouettes of low waist flapper dresses, loose pants, feminine beanies and wrap headwear, glamour evening wear were the most sophisticated yet common images on Gucci, Etro, Ralph Lauren, Chloe, Christian Dior any many renowned fashion houses and brands.

TheGreatGatsbyFashion — First offical image from "Great Gatsby" 2012

Along with the bold graphics and Art Deco inspirations on the clothing the beauty on the catwalks focused the factors typical for Jazz Age – heavy makeup of the eyes – forming Cleopatra signature or short bob hairstyles with baby fringe styling, Interesting aspect is shown by the fashion editorials as well. There are numerous interpretations depicting Jazz Age bliss infusing the ultramodern approach with the splendor and timelessness of the bygone 20s.