Thursday, October 14, 2010

A Gatsby Summer Afternoon

Photo courtesy Collectors Weekly
As a vintage dealer, I am often asked what my favorite era is. It is a difficult question to answer as there are so many variables that affect why I like certain times in history. It is not just a fashion look or style, but also a way of life, societal beliefs and morals, feminist constrictions or liberties, familial lifestyle .... many factors contribute to preferring one era over another.
But one in particular often stands out. That is the Art Deco era...or the style of F. Scott Fitzgerald, well-known for his novel, The Great Gatsby.

So it is fitting that the Art Deco Society of California takes us back to "The Gatsby Summer Afternoon" event every year. Held on the beautiful lawns of the Dunsmuir Hellman Historic Estate, it is a picnic re-creating elegant afternoons as Jay Gatsby or F. Scott and Zelda would have held. 

Photo courtesy Collectors Weekly
There are strict requirements for picnicking at this event and it is detailed in the "How to Gatsby Guide".  For example, no plastic or Styrofoam plates, no denim, miniskirts or sneakers. Ladies must wear hats, gloves and jewelery. Well, all I can say is "how wonderfully sophisticated"!

For more reading head over to Collector's Weekly and The Art Deco Society.




Some Art Deco items, now available.



2 comments:

Mick said...

I think that picnic is fantstic!

Stefanie Valentine said...

I would love to go to the Gatsby Summer Afternoon, it looks so amazing!