Toast: Luhrmann's Jazz Age

What would Daisy do? What wouldn't Daisy do is more like it. Inspired by her devil-may-care attitude. Left, Carey Mulligan channeling her Daisy Buchanan in Dior Haute Couture. Photographed by Mario Testino for Vogue. / Right,  A decadent dinner designed by Jordan Payne Events with Gold Leaf Stemware, Mottahedeh Charger, and Gold Leaf China.

It seems like we've been seeing a version of The Great Gatsby trailer for years now. We know, it takes time to transfer the literary genius of F. Scott Fitzgerald to the creative genuis of Baz Luhrmann. Still, it feels like they've been working on it forever. With May just around the corner, the premiere of what will undoubtedly be Oscar material is almost here. While you're sure to be familiar with the material, let us just wax poetic about the translation. We're talking about the Jazz Age meets 21st-century world director Baz Luhrmann and his wife, costume designer Catherine Martin have created for the Silver Screen. 
 

Director Baz Luhrmann on set with Carey Mulligan.

To get you up to speed, you should know Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge, Romeo + Juliet, Australia) creates a fusion of old worlds with an appeal to the contemporary age with an outstanding modern soundtrack. For Gatsby, we're talking Lana Del Ray, Jay-Z, Bryan Ferry, Jack White - and that's just for starters.There are chills just thinking about how good it will be! (If you don't believe how enrapturing this is, just rent Romeo + Juliet or listen to the soundtrack.) 

Just as phenomenal is Martin, who is not just Luhrmann's wife but every bit his equal. (Her own list of accomplishments, including Oscars, is just as long as the Mr.'s.) She not only adorned Carey Mulligan with Tiffany & Co. diamonds and Leonardo DiCaprio with custom Brooks Brothers, but she collaborated with Miuccia Prada on 40 cocktail and evening dresses reinterpreted from past Mui Mui and Prada for the film.

Catherine Martin's sketches for The Great Gatsby. Photos via Grazia/Prada.

There aren't enough exclamation points in the world to describe how much we are anticipating this film. To get you in the mood, we're sharing our favorite looks translated to tabletops and links from the cast. Here's to knowing it will hold up to the original. "Can't repeat the past?...Why of course you can!" - F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby.

"And I like large parties. They're so intimate. At small parties there isn't any privacy." - F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby. Left, Mulligan as Daisy caught on set. Right, A re-imagined Jazz Age. Get the look with Resource One Petal Linens (exclusively at P.O.S.H. Couture Rentals), Gold Radiance Charger, and Simply Ivory China.

 

"All I kept thinking about, over and over, was 'You can't live forever; you can't live forever." - F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby. Left, An ice blue setting for the Ice Queen. Get the look with Gold Glass Chargers, Royal Gold Glassware, and Gold Lyons Flatware. Right, Mulligan in Miu Miu dress embroidered with Swaroski Elements and Miu Miu heels. Photographed by Mario Testino for Vogue.

Get your fill of the Jazz Age and The Great Gatsby with these links.
The full trailer and soundtrack (finally!) here.
More on Miuccia Prada's Sketches here.
Read an interview with Tobey Maguire plus a behind the scenes look at the set design in Architectural Digest here.
A full fledged dinner party inspired by the Jazz Age (and featuring P.O.S.H.) here.
More of Carey Mulligan via Vogue here. 
An Afternoon with Leo via Esquire here.


 

Weekend To Do: Culture Club

One: Anthropologie's home collection, inspired by remote isles and sea, is the perfect addition to freshen up tablescapes and homes this season. It's the escapism that will get you from Spring to Summer.
Two: We can't event begin to cover how will feel about the genius of Baz Luhrmann in one blog post. While everyone is certainly looking forward to the release of The Great Gatsby, Architectural Digest is digging into the design and architecture of the set with Tobey Maguire. Read it here.
Three: Texas has officially named the pecan pie THE state pie. In a state known for sweets and Southern hospitality, this is no easy feat. Food & Wine shares the 1996 winning recipe for Bobby Lee's Texas State Fair pecan pie (judged by none other than Dean Fearing). Just add it as another source of Texas pride, along with BBQ, breakfast tacos, and sweet tea. Recipe here.
Four: The Dallas Art Fair (April 12-14) and The Dallas Film Festival (April 4-14) bring serious talent to our growing cultural mecca. Get your tickets and read about the art and film waiting to blow your mind this month.