THE RHYTHM OF FASHION: Gone with the Wind

Gone With the Wind is a 1939 American epic historial romance film adapted from Margaret Mitchell's Pulitzer-winning 1936 novel and produced by David O. Selznick, played by Vivien Leigh, and her romantic pursuit of Ashley Wilkes (Leslie Howard) who is married to his cousin, Melanie Hamilton (Olivia de Havilland), and her marriage to Rhett Butler (Clark Gable). Set against the backdrop of the American Civil War and Reconstrction era, the story is told from the perspective of white Southerners.

Green is an emotionally positive color, giving us the ability to love and nurture ourselves and others unconditionally. This powerful and universally appealing tone translates easily to fashion.

Scarlett O’Hara’s green velvet ‘curtain dress’ designed by Walter Plunkett for Gone with the Wind, also from 1939, tells us a great deal about Scarlett and her strength of will to survive the American Civil War. Supposed to have been made from the faded draperies in her house, the moss green velvet opened up to reveal a ‘chartreuse’ velvet underskirt, red being the colour of rebellion.

The drapery cords arranged with such panache added a unique touch.

It reflects that the girl wearing this extraordinary outfit is indeed very confident, sure of her own worth and a woman of all time. She is ready to do whatever it takes to save her beloved home of ‘Tara’ in the Southern states during the civil war in America. This includes walking into a den of enemies to seduce the man she believes can help her, Rhett Butler.

Velvet is all about luxury, wealth and power and by tearing down the curtains and dressing for success, Scarlett ultimately achieves her goal. Dressing to look successful was an important concept of the contemporary world actress Vivian Leigh lived in, and at a time when World War II was already happening over in Europe.

Anyway, we can’t stop loving those Walter Plunkett's style design even in today.