The Fashion Weeks are nearly over, yet despite some amazing shows I can’t help but feel like I’ve already had enough of Autumn/ Winter. With the bitter weather we’ve been subjected to lately, I’d like to rewind back to the Spring/Summer shows for a bold splash of colour in order to prepare for the summer that we will eventually have. Visit your local high street, and you will see some incredible brights appearing among the rails, as trends quickly trickle down to the Topshop’s of the world, emulating the styles that were presented to us approximately six months ago.
Who could forget the metallic rainbow of bright trench coats at Burberry Prorsum, complete with contrasting shoes in equally bold shades? Christopher Bailey’s creations most definitely left me longing for more violet, magenta and electric blue in my wardrobe, but the Gucci collection had to be the absolute icing on the cake for the bold, bright summer trend. Frida Giannini designed an impressive array of colour blocked looks, including trouser suits and maxi dresses which ranged from stunning turquoise to dazzling yellow in colour. The frivolous ruffles took the designs to a whole new level.
Keeping in theme with the desire for some intense colour, today a spectacular looking motion picture is releasing in our cinemas. Prepare for “Oz: The Great and Powerful”. Based on the novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” written by L. Frank Baum in 1900, this new production is a prequel to the classic 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz” which we all know and love. Director Sam Raimi of “Spiderman” trilogy fame, portrays the tale of how a young magician came to become the legendary Oz himself. Disclaimer: yes, this does mean there is no Dorothy or Toto in sight.
The 200 million dollar Disney movie is as vivid and spectacularly animated as 2010’s “Alice in Wonderland”, which shares the same producer, Joe Roth. Both Robert Downey Junior and Johnny Depp were in the running for the role as Oscar Diggs (who becomes better known as Oz), but instead the devastatingly good looking James Franco was cast. Alongside Franco, Mila Kunis plays Theodora, The Wicked Witch of the West and Rachel Weisz is Evanora, who is The Wicked Witch of the East. Michelle Williams tries to balance all that evil as Glinda, The Good Witch of the South, whilst Zach Braff features as Oz’s assistant Finley. To top it all, the accompanying music was composed by the inimitable Danny Elfman of “The Simpsons” and Tim Burton movie fame.
Considering the credentials, I can only expect an impressive 130 minutes of cinema. I have high hopes for “Oz: The Great and Powerful” to provide the perfect antidote for the whole host of horror films I have previously blogged about anticipating this year. You may not be able to click your heels and be sent home this time, but I’m certain that this striking piece of cinema will transport you to one of the most infamous fictional lands there ever was.
By Sophie Seymour