A hundred years after its debut at the 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris, Art Deco is experiencing a revival in various sectors, including decor and fashion. This revival is marked by a new generation that is not only recognizing the style’s lavish origins but also reimagining it for contemporary aesthetics.
Currently, the Museum of the City of New York is hosting an exhibition that delves into the influential style that shaped New York’s identity over a century ago, showcased in iconic structures such as the Chrysler Building, Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, and Radio City Music Hall. “Art Deco City: New York Postcards from the Leonard A. Lauder Collection” highlights historical ephemera, vintage clothing, and cinematic treasures from the Art Deco era.
Meanwhile, in London, the Victoria and Albert Museum features a scintillating collection of day and evening garments, jewelry, textiles, and costumes inspired by Les Ballets Russes, which played a pivotal role in shaping fashion during that time.
The essence of Art Deco as a recurring motif remains fluid; its definition can vary significantly among historians and design enthusiasts. According to design writer Arricca Elin Sansone, Art Deco is a chameleon of styles that finds expression in architecture, interior design, and fashion, signifying different meanings depending on context.
Emerging in the wake of World War I, the original Art Deco period encapsulated an ethos of creativity, liberation, and innovation. This vibrant style reached its zenith in the 1920s and early ’30s, an era often regarded as one of the most pivotal in the history of design. During those years, the Art Deco movement blossomed in cities worldwide, and places like Miami’s South Beach Art Deco District became visited sites that pay homage to this iconic style.
In Paris, as a nod to the 2024 Olympics, organizers released a series of Art Deco posters to commemorate both the upcoming games and the centennial anniversary of the 1924 Olympics. The colorful and flamboyant designs aim to celebrate Art Deco’s rich influence on the city’s visual landscape.
Globally, the architectural landscape transformed drastically during the Art Deco movement, shifting from low-rise structures to a skyline of towering skyscrapers. Both public and private spaces incorporated striking geometric patterns, luxurious materials, and an air of sophistication. The era was also characterized by advances in transportation, with faster cars and sleeker trains, mirrored by a vibrant nightlife fueled by jazz, where revelers came together to enjoy.
The flapper fashion of the time mirrored this cultural shift, moving away from restrictive clothing towards liberated silhouettes. The Roaring Twenties became synonymous with carefree vibrancy, as women’s roles evolved within society. Today, contemporary runways and red carpets are infused with the spirit of the Jazz Age, showcasing glittering gold-and-black gowns adorned with crystals and feathers. High-profile celebrities such as Zendaya, Gigi Hadid, and Beyoncé are embracing vintage bobs and finger waves, reinterpreting the allure of the Art Deco era for modern audiences.
Fashion experts are noting a notable resurgence of 1920s aesthetics, evident in drop-waist dresses, sleek bobs, and layered pearls dominating both runways and street style. This year, Giorgio Armani revisited the Art Deco sophistication in his fall couture show in Paris, presenting garments drenched in pearls, velvets, and sequins, all accompanied by nostalgic jazz melodies. Similarly, Chanel and Dior have incorporated elongated silhouettes, tweed textures, and feathers into their recent collections, paying tribute to that bygone era.
From an interior design perspective, the bold elegance of Art Deco continues to inspire many. New York-based designer Vanessa DeLeon, known for her appearances on HGTV and Bravo, embraces deep jewel tones alongside metallic accents in her work. Her latest lighting collection draws inspiration from iconic Art Deco materials such as frosted glass and polished metals.
London design duo Jamie Watkins and Tom Kennedy of Divine Savages creatively incorporate playful elements of Art Deco into their collections, such as the “Deco Martini” print, that fuses classic motifs with elegant cocktail imagery. Athena Calderone collaborates with Crate & Barrel to reinterpret the cinematic aspects of Art Deco through modern furnishings and designs, evoking a quintessential blend of Manhattan and Parisian glamour.
Art Deco enthusiasts won’t want to miss the ongoing exhibition at the Museum of the City of New York. Co-curator Lynda Klich emphasizes that postcards of the day served as the social media of their era, with messengers conveying thoughts and experiences from their travels. The exhibition features over 250 postcards showcasing the city’s renowned Deco architecture, alongside exquisite gowns and accessories from the 1920s. As curator Lilly Tuttle eloquently states, “More than an aesthetic, Art Deco embodied the visual identity that marketed the city globally.” The exhibition runs through February 17, providing a captivating glimpse into this timeless style’s legacy.
