Olympia le Tan is riding on a trend and launching a Great Gatsby clutch to add to her renowned “You can’t judge a book by its cover” collection, launched in 2009.
At the crossroads of fashion and literature, you’ll find Olympia le Tan’s singular clutches. Her starting material? The covers of the original editions of iconic literary works. From her passion for embroidery that she learned alongside her grandmother are born unique creations with an old-fashioned charm. Enraptured by their vintage elegance, their “don’t make ‘em like they used to” nostalgia, and their retro brilliance, she’s bringing them back into style. They subtly accessorize designer outfits by adding a very 2nd degree trompe-l’oeil effect. “What is appealing in her fashion is the literary and ludic side” underlines Catherine Brémond, luxury buyer for French department store Galeries Lafayette, where you can find Olympia le Tan’s creations. It-bags had better hold on tight to their ground; a literary flood from this designer is coming! Her clutches are veritable little gems, handmade from start to finish.
From Moby Dick by Herman Melville to the scandalous Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov and even Heartsnatcher by Boris Vian, it’s now F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby’s turn to take up its deserved place in Olympia le Tan’s collection of literary masterpieces. The “Great Gatsby” clutch is made of polished brass, ornamented with a layer of embroidered cotton that shows off the original cover of this novel by the classic American writer. Its modesty clashes with the flamboyant universe of the book’s hero.
The character Gatsby who, speaking of his abode, “keep(s) it always full of interesting people, night and day. People who do interesting things. Celebrated people.” would be happy to learn that he will soon be strutting around on the arm of every star on the planet. While anachronisms do sometimes pop up in film, you won’t be seeing any clutches in the Baz Luhrmann-directed feature: they didn’t make an appearance until the mid 30s, while the movie takes place during the 20s. From the dim light of a nightstand to the blinding flashes of the red carpet, Olympia le Tan is giving these literary works an unexpected revamp!
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