Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina, said to be “the greatest novel ever written,” has been interpreted by numerous film directors in the past, however this time the tragic love story is told not only through film, but through fashion.
hen English film director, Joe Wright, decided to take on Anna Karenina, he brought with him Academy Award for costume design winner Jacqueline Durran. Together, they embarked on a creative challenge bringing to life a Russian love story without involving any Russian experts. A film created to focus on the spirit of the characters; it is no surprise that fashion rose to center stage while historical accuracy faltered. Durran comments that Wright didn’t want to, “Get constricted by the period,” and
[quote align=”center” color=”#b64736″]“came up with the idea of tweaking it a bit and using the heyday of couture from the 1950s to emphasise Anna’s modern streak.”[/quote]While such diversions from the story may cause critics and historians to chastise the film, Wright and Durran are ready with conviction to argue that in a plot such as this, it is fashion that makes Anna Karenina come alive.
It is then no wonder then that Banana Republic’s creative director Simon Kneen and Jacqueline Durran came together to collaborate on Banana Republic’s newest capsule collection, which strongly recalls the fashion palette of Anna Karenina. Calling it a natural fit, Kneen was already looking to Russian romanticism for the collection, admitting to a love for imperial Russia, “It was very dangerous- but oh my god, the clothes, the champagne, the vodka!” The time period that Kneen and Durran imitate in the collection brings back memories of vintage Lanvin and Christian Dior circa 1950s. The collection is filled with sumptuous jewellery and fur, mixed with the romantic fabrics of dark lace and velvet. This seductive 76 -piece collection for men and women in the spirit of luxury and Anna Karenina is now available in store and online at Banana Republic.
By CheRima Manayan
