It was my birthday last week and so to say goodbye to my 20s, what better way to celebrate than in the decadent style of the 1920s? Cocktails, glamour, dancing and general fabulousness...OKAY, there was a bit of stretching the truth there, I confess I actually left my 20s behind three years ago. AHEM. Know what though, I’m going to stop lying about my age now. I might even put a few years ON and then people will be really impressed with my youthfulness. [“I’m 45 you know – and I owe it all to moisturiser!”].
But anyway, back to the 1920s, that part was true. My friends and I attended the fantastic Prohibition club which takes place every few months speakeasy style at a secret location, set up by the people from Bourne & Hollingsworth, who have a great retro bar in Fitzrovia and are also responsible for Blitz Party, SS Atlantica and Belle Epoque parties (40s, 30s and turn of the century respectively). Authentic detail is paramount, with live music, cocktails in teacups, casino and dressing up being de rigeur. And EVERYBODY makes an effort.
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I’ve got a thing for the 1920s and Art deco in particular, partially thanks to The Shoe Queen by Anna Davis, Claridge's and the Ritz Bar, and even the decor of my own living room, so I really wanted my costume to be as authentic as possible. I decided to take my inspiration from bits I already had in my wardrobe, most importantly an awesome peacock feather cape I bought from Topshop several months ago and hadn’t had the opportunity to wear yet (when I bought it, HB’s first comment was “Um, Danny La Rue called. He wants his stage costume back.”).
Channelling one part Tallulah from Bugsy Malone, one part Erté print, and with a little help from the trusty internet I built my look. The evening wear of a typical flapper seems to have been a drop-waisted, tasselled or beaded dress. However I had to keep it plain, what with all that feathery action, plus all the dresses I have aren't cut for the flat-chested, boyish hipped bodies of the 20s girls. I didn’t want to have to spend much on something I knew wasn’t going to be particularly flattering, so I found an £8 knee-length slip in Primark which would do nicely [and could be worn under stuff when it gets colder – dear God, I really am showing my real age!] I got it in a size 16-18 so it would be loose, but I probably could have gone even bigger as it was still fairly clingy (I swear I didn’t have that much birthday cake, honest). Primark came up trumps again for some tights with faux stocking tops and a pair of turquoise patent mary jane shoes for £10. TEN POUNDS! I try not to think about the sweatshop issues, and instead think how these would also go with this season’s 60s trend and look a little bit Prada.
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A fascinator I made a couple of years ago out of a £1.99 alice band, UHU and 3 peacock feathers left over from my wedding invitations went perfectly. I was supposed to transform my hair into a finger-waved faux bob after watching a couple of great tutorials on YouTube using GHDs and Kirby grips. Of course, nothing is as simple as it seems and 15 mins before the taxi arrived I looked like Wurzel Gummidge and decided instead to improvise by slicking my hair down and pinning it into a low bun, and with a little help from my beautiful best friend (who was already looking like she’d stepped out of The Great Gatsby), draped a necklace across my forehead and pinned it at the sides. Voila! Instant deco chic.
Again, a bit of internet research helped me get the makeup right, with kohl-rimmed eyes, dark defined brows, and a dark red cupids-bow lip. Even my perfume was 1920s style - Penhaligon's Juniper Sling (my favourite birthday present) which smells rather like gin. (Very apt for me). Lastly, long black gloves (from my fancy-dress box) and a long string of pearls completed the look, with a black sequinned evening bag. And lashings of champagne of course!
Meanwhile I made sure HB was evoking Kevin Costner in the Untouchables rather than Al Capone (although he was Bugsy Malone in his school play, so has previous 20s style experience). He looked pretty yummy in a pinstriped brown and grey suit, waistcoat, slicked centre parted hair and a rather dapper trilby, which we picked up for £6 at the fancy dress shop. In fact, all the men looked great, it was definitely a decade for gentlemanly style. Swoooon.
So we all had a 'swell' time, plus coincidentally I noticed that during the last few weeks, 1920s/Art deco style is one of the themes emerging for SS 2012 (Etro, Gucci, Roberto Cavalli). Keep an eye on Prohibition’s website www.prohibition1920s.com for announcement of the next event, and maybe we’ll Charleston together on the dance floor... Meanwhile, let's check out some more Bugsy Malone eh?
