The Great Gatsby: A Review and Outfit Set

By now the buzz has worn down over Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby. As soon as the movie hit theatres, it received lukewarm reviews from critics around the world. Lurhmann's vision of the Roaring 20's, one of over-dramatic glitz and glamour, gold and silver, liquor and parties, capitalism and prosperity, are brought in a dizzying array of eloquently crafted scenes each worthy of perfection in their own rights. However, that being said, it is in this same frame that the film can be seen as nothing more than eye candy.

Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan
Source: Grazia Daily

The whole movie reeks of elegance and opulence key to Luhrmann's direction but in focusing on the high visual appeal, I feel that some amount of character development was sacrificed. That's not to say that the actors were two-dimensional; if anything Joel Edgerton as Tom Buchanan makes the strongest case for brilliant acting in the whole film. If you've read the book, you'll find that the movie in its attempts to truly grasp at deeper motivations and symbols, glazes over them like skaters on a rink with stylistic 3D text and anachronistic music.

Lana Del Ray was one of the greatest songs on the soundtrack and it's definitely worth a listen

However, taking all of this into account, I still enjoyed the film very, very much. Leonardo DiCaprio was great and charming. I believed in him not as an actor but as Jay Gatsby. He fit so easily into that role that it was hard to pry him away from his character. In addition, the rest of the cast was stellar and boy, oh boy was the art direction and design stunning. I'd definitely recommend it, even if you just watch it to see its beauty.

And now onto the set! The Roaring 20's a la Luhrmann is all about the ritzy gold and the sleek nightly black mingling in anachronistic pleasure with one another. These elements lend an interesting and unique aspect through which glamour, charm, and intrigue can be felt and lived through.

Source: Polyvore

Have you seen The Great Gatsby? What did you think?

Metal Leggings and the Rise of Robotic Runways

These days I feel like I'm wasting the whole summer away. It hasn't even been a month yet and I'm ready for school to pick back up again. However, while idleness starts to get the best of me, the internet has proven once again to be a well of inspiration. Enter Balenciaga's SS '07 collection of sleek, metal leggings. The moment I saw them, I thought of Fritz Lang's stunning sci-fi film, Metropolis. 

Source:  Cinematoria

I love the appeal of the golden metallic sheen. While it isn't practical nor easy to simply wear something so lengthy and outlandish, who says it can't be done? But while there is a will, there is a way and as Balenciaga proves, there is much more elegance to metal than meets the eye.

Source: Augustine Wong

Balenciaga's beautifully robotic leggings retail for $100,000 USD! Holy moly, that's a lotta dough! 

Swimming in the Earl's Garden

Today's post is a short one dedicated to one thing: this flower blazer! The moment I saw it at Zara, I knew I had to have it. A few weeks later, here it is in my closet!

Blazer: Zara; Tank top: Rickies; Necklace: ?; Skirt: Three Belles Down; Socks

Perusing the Pages

Yesterday, there was a big book sale in my city. It was so great that I couldn't refuse to take a picture of one of my finds with a nice preppy outfit. Despite it being +25 C, I braved wool; the outfit wouldn't be complete without a thrifted tartan kilt! 

Shirt: Zara; Sweater: H&M; Blazer: Zara; Skirt: Thrifted

Oh, My Ophelia

Spring has finally arrived. The weather, a nice balmy nineteen degrees plus a wide blue sky, has finally captured my attention. Soon, the plants will grow rich and green again. However for now, we can turn to Vogue Korea for a stunning look into the summer heat in the editorial, Oh, My Ophelia.

Source: Jottings of a Fashionista