If you’ve ever wished you could go back in time, á la Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris, a day spent at the Jazz Age Lawn Festival on Governor’s Island, N.Y. is probably as close as you’ll ever come. While the interesting vendors, live music, and dancing are a huge part of the fun, fashion is the true star.
Within 15 minutes, a pleasant ferry-ride from Manhattan or Brooklyn deposits you on the island, but not before passing by the Statue of Liberty. Take in all of the sights, but be sure to look at the people around you, within moments of our arrival, we had already seen contributing fashion editor to vogue.com, vogue writer, and all around New York style legend, Lynne Yaeger.
And Yaeger clearly isn’t the only one who looks forward to the biannual event, as guests brought with them elaborate picnics, well-planned outfits, and even props to make their spots on the lawn authentic, fashionable, and fun. Several people we talked to, took all year to plan their look, often recalling what they had worn to previous years’ parties.
All you truly need to enjoy this spectacle are your eyes, as world-class people-watching and 20s garb come together to form a visual feast. This makes the jazz party a huge draw for celebrities, fashion photographers, and other New York city notables.
Just waiting in the line gave us the chance to spot noted street fashion photographer, and New York icon Bill Cunningham, snapping up shots for his annual piece on the Jazz party. To be featured in Cunningham’s weekly spread in The New York Times on street fashion is a cornerstone of N.Y.’s fashion elite, and an honor that doesn’t come easy.
One of the most beautiful things about the fashion at the party is that people dress in 20’s fashion from many different points of view. Don’t expect to go and see hundreds of flapper outfits, the Jazz party is a chance to show-off what you know about 20s fashion, and sometimes that means straight-up 20s safari wear, or vintage kimonos from the east- and don’t even get us started on the menswear!
Across the board, we were blown away by how incredible the men looked. Anyone who thinks mens fashion is less interesting than women’s has clearly not been paying attention. The suits, the hats, the ties, the canes, the mustaches, and just generally the swagger! The Jazz Party has it all, and those who dress for the occasion (and nearly everyone does) really go for it, leaving no detail untouched.
While some people looked a bit costumey, others brought to mind deco inspired runway looks from SS/12 Rodarte, FW/14 Cavalli, or SS/14 Dries Van Noten. With some toned down hair accessories, a lot of the styles we saw would look natural on the street, down to the dark shade of lipstick.
While tickets range from $30, which includes a group dance lesson and entry to the gated-off party area, to $300 for zero lines, free cocktails, chef-created food, in an even more private area with no guests under 21 years of age, one thing is common across the board, everyone you see is having a fabulous time.
While the June party is over, the party returns to bid summer adieu each August. Tickets are on sale now, and the event does sell-out, so plan in advance. Give yourself some time to put together an unbeatable look for the occasion- and above all else, don’t forget your camera!
Go through our gallery and see all the looks
Article by Amelia Whitworth for FashionIQ