Brisbane Arts Theatre has been commissioned by BIG Live to make the costumes for their forthcoming production of The Great Gatsby.
This is not our first contract with BIG Live, but at over 150 costumes, it is the biggest!
When Joel first approached us at Brisbane Arts Theatre Costumes to design the costumes for The Great Gatsby, we were immediately excited—while also aware of the challenge ahead. The 1920s is an iconic era of fashion, celebrated for its loose, playful silhouettes and sense of freedom. Ballet, however, requires garments that move effortlessly with the body, allowing ballerinas to be lifted, partnered, and spun with complete security. The question for us became: how do we honour the spirit of the Jazz Age while meeting the physical demands of dance?
Our main inspiration came from Baz Luhrmann’s film adaptation, rich in colour, glamour, and personality. From this, we set out to bring each character to life through distinct styles and palettes. We envisioned Tom as clean-cut and structured in cool blue tones. Gatsby became flamboyant and expressive in bolder, more colourful designs, while Nick remained grounded and understated in smart brown hues.
For the women, colour played a vital storytelling role in our designs. Daisy appears in whites and soft pinks to evoke innocence and fragility. Jordan is dressed in neutral tones, reflecting her sharp and composed nature, while Myrtle’s costumes feature passionate reds, hinting at danger and desire.
When designing the ensemble pieces, each scene guided our choices—from lively, colourful party moments to glamorous soirées filled with sparkle and elegance. Most garments were made from scratch and individually fitted to each dancer to ensure cohesion, comfort, and freedom of movement. We attended rehearsals to observe how the dancers moved, allowing us to adapt designs while staying true to the essence of 1920s fashion.
Check out their website on the link below to see more pictures and video of the amazing work of our team. Why not buy a ticket while you’re there and see the costumes in person.