Brooks Brothers Lends Authenticity to Great Gatsby's Male Leads

Jun 07, 2012 - by Lester Brathwaite

Baz Luhrmann's $125 million adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby will no doubt be the most stylish movie of the year thanks in large part to Oscar-winning costume designer Catherine Martin's collaboration with Fitzgerald's haberdasher of choice, Brooks Brothers

Whereas Ralph Lauren  outfitted Robert Redford  in the 1974 film version of the classic tale, Leonardo DiCaprio, who plays Jay Gatsby this time around, has the sartorial leg-up on his predecessor.

It was this most basic and fundamental connection that has made our collaboration so authentic, Martin said. Brooks Brothers is mentioned several times in Fitzgeralds writings as a representation of the ultimate gentlemans purveyor of fine clothing to the American man of distinction.

Martin dug deep into the Brooks Brothers archive, working with the nation's oldest retailer to re-create 500 day and evening looks that best reflected the time period.

Ah, the Roaring Twenties -- when hooch was banned, hemlines were high, jazz was hot and morals were loose. Who wants to Charleston?!

Anyhoo, all in all Martin put together some 1,700 pieces including neckwear, accessories and shoes for the film's cast and extras. While Brooks Brothers is the official men's  clothier of the film and Tiffany & Co is providing the bling, the women's designer is currently being kept on the QT by the studio.

The Great Gatsby hits theaters December 25 but for now check out some of the film's fashion fare, as well as some archival Brooks Bros., below. [WWD]

 

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