The Great Gatsby and a 20s Kimono Jacket: Lois Wilson's screen worn rhinestones

1920s Rhinestone Kimono, Lois Wilson. Sarara Vintage. Shary Connella images, rights reserved.

With yet another Great Gatsby film releasing soon in the cinemas, I am reminded of the allure of the novel and films. The first one was produced in 1926 and I hold out hope that a copy of the film will be found, as it is reported to be a lost film. There is only a snippet of the preview and some poster images.

Lois Wilson was cast as the iconic Daisy in 1926. The cast included Warner Baxter as Gatsby. This film is iconic for various reasons, but most interestingly to me because I recently acquired a garment which was said to have come from Lois's collection and to have been worn in the first film. It was overseas where two other of her items were sold to a private collector. Said collector also has a letter by Lois mentioning my garment here- as screen worn in the first Great Gatsby in 1926.  The evidence is encouraging and I hope to find more information about the collector/letter. The garment is marked inside with an AU  - letters which I have seen on other paramount pictures film wardrobe items.  There are also numbers and her last name as seen below, the numbers are as follows 989 AU 10.

Wilson tag. Sarara Vintage image.

The provenance is stated by the former owner and curator, as having come over in the 70s from England to Australia for a Sydney museum exhibit, but it was not displayed.  Arriving in England after Lois Wilson attended the British Empire Exposition and formed enduring relationships with UK officials. In 1988 a private collector acquired the dress and shoes, as well as a letter written by Lois which mentions our Kimono jacket as being screen worn.

1920s Rhinestone Kimono, Lois Wilson. Styled/direction by Sarara Vintage. Shary Connella images, rights reserved. 

1920s Rhinestone Kimono, Lois Wilson. Styled/direction by Sarara Vintage. Shary Connella images, rights reserved.

That said I am holding my breath for them to find the film, so I can see her dance across the screen in this jacket! Until then we have the history and current evidence. I hope you enjoy the images, I just couldn't resist styling up my model in a tribute The Great Gatsby. The rhinestone pattern is stunning! The large 1920s feather fans are from my archive. The jewelry is from sararavintagecouture.com. 

And as the film debuts yet again, in another incarnation, we can imagine Carey Mulligan wearing this in some fab spread like the new Vogue 20s Gatsby homage in the May 2013 issue.  You can see the Carey Mulligan shoot preview at vogue here and at this  link. 
Get the Gatsby style at Sarara Vintage's 1920s Accessories collection for sale here and at Sarara Vintage Couture. We have an amazing stock of glass beads owned by a woman who brought European glass necklaces over with her in the 20s: