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DRESS THE PART
As literary legend suggests, F Scott Fitzgerald knew a thing or two about having a good time. A leading light of the social swirl of the Jazz Age, he and his wife, Zelda epitomised the dazzling glamour of the era — immortalised forever in the Great Gatsby.
And while their own story was mired with tragedy, their dedication to putting a fashion foot forward offers a lesson in the power of dressing for the occasion, a fact brought into focus at the Gate’s recent immersive Great Gatsby production.
Advised to come dressed for the night, you’re welcomed from the outset as a guest at the party. While throughout the performance, actors — dressed in stunning Peter O’Brien designs — move through the crowd, sharing stories or bringing audience-members through to other rooms to experience sub-plots in immersive 1920’s environments.
A good time for all, dressing the part in 1920’s garb for the occasion proved a hit with all in attendance the night I went — helping us all to feel perfectly at home in our roles as observant ‘guests’ at the Gate’s Gatsby party.
And after all, isn’t that the point of fashion? To offer us an accessible and transformative way to dress for the adventure ahead — whether a busy working day or a jaunt around town.
In fact, although it’s often dismissed as a frivolous pursuit, it’s an important tool when…
