A Tolstoyan Style Odyssey — Fashions Inspired By “Anna Karenina”
For film aficionados, the year’s fourth quarter is a maze of must-see films, Oscar contenders whose releases were were cleverly slotted by movie studios so that they would remain fresh in the minds of both critics, audiences, and the pesky members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. This year, the releases include a handful of politically-charged movies like Ben Affleck’s Argo and Kathryn Bigelow’s Zero Dark Thirty, along with sweeping, big budget epics with grandiose cinematography and detailed costume design, like Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln and Joe Wright’s Anna Karenina.
Though not our favorite overall film of 2012 (that honor goes to Zero Dark Thirty), in the costume design realm, we were dazzled by the fur-trimmed coats, plume-adorned hats, floor-sweeping evening gowns, and opulent pearl necklaces worn by British actress Keira Knightley in the latest adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s novel Anna Karenina. As a nod to costume designer Jacqueline Durran’s interpretation of 19th century Russian fashion, we’ve amassed this assortment of Anna Karenina-inspired goods — and, unlike its protagonist’s amorous affairs, there’s nothing forbidden about our stylish story.
Bundle MacLaren Millinery Felicity Hat, $139. Available at Boticca.com
In many of the film’s scenes, Keira Knightley (as Anna Karenina, natch) walks through a train stations wearing a lavish coat, adorned with a fur stole, her hair tucked underneath a felt hat with a tall and almost cylindrical crown, a short and slightly sculptural brim, and a fan shape of dramatically long plumes adorning its side. This navy felt trilby modernizes the look with two twisted pheasant feathers, a ribbon trim made of a Liberty of London bird print fabric, and a vintage brooch adornment.
Fix Design Wide Neck Dress, $206. Available at Farfetch.com
The faux fur trim along the wide neckline of this 100% viscose dress, along with its demure flared skirt, modest half sleeves, and fitted waist give it a classic feel worthy of a period piece.
Nadri Nouveau Vine Earrings, $48. Available at Nordstrom.com
Throughout Wright’s film, Knightley dons sparkling earrings in vine-like shapes. These rhodium-plated, 1″-long Nadri earrings recreate this effect, with crystals and cubic zirconias cleverly arranged to resemble leaves on vines.
All Gloves Black Suede and Rabbit Fur Long Cashmere-Lined Gloves, $118.30. Available at Bluefly.com
Let’s face it: it’s freezing in Russia. If there’s one fashion constant in every single cinematic portrayal of Anna Karenina, then, it’s that our tragic heroine is typically draped in fur coats, stoles, scarves, hats, and fur-trimmed gloves, sweaters, dresses, and more. Fittingly, these 18″-long gloves are crafted out of black suede and feature a tiered rabbit fur trim extending all the way from the wrist to the elbow are.
David Yurman Pearl Buckle Strand Necklace. Available at NeimanMarcus.com
Anna Karenina loves her pearls! And, being the dramatic dame that she is, this classic literary character prefers wearing multi-strand necklaces that drape along her décolletage as opposed to a single, neck-hugging strand. This three-strand necklace measures 72″ in total length and features 8.55mm freshwater pearls and a silver buckle motif adorned with pavé diamonds.
Alexander McQueen Ostrich Feather Stole, $4995. Available at MyTheresa.com
This glamorous stole is covered with light gray ostrich feathers and features a satin ribbon tie that allows you to wear it much like a capelet, covering the upper half of the bodice and draping down along the back to protect bare shoulders and the middle of your back when donning strapless evening gowns.
Marni Belted Coat, $1396. Available at Farfetch.com
Featuring a shawl collar, a pleated A-line skirt, long sleeves with slightly puffed shoulders, a belted waist with a gold-tone buckle, and two front flap pockets, this Marni coat epitomizes ladylike style. Imagine wearing it with a faux fur scarf and a dome-shaped fur hat, and you’ll be channeling Lady Karenina in no time!
Konstantino Pearl & Onyx Drop Earrings, $675. Available at NeimanMarcus.com
These exquisitely detailed Konstantino earrings recall a bygone era via the wall sconce worthy 18k yellow gold details placed nesting the domed pearl along the earring post area and the oval-shaped onyx stone directly beneath this detail, which features diamond-shaped faceting all along its rounded surface, and sterling silver dotting along its perimeter.
Coast Beau Fascinator, £12. Available at Coast-Stores.com
With The Great Gatsby poised to open next year and Anna Karenina stealing the spotlight at the moment, the next few months are poised to be full of glamorous hair accessories — particularly fascinators. This versatile piece can evoke different eras depending on how it’s styled. Its base is, of course, a slim black headband and, propped along one side, you’ll find an oversize flower shape created with wine-colored feathers and a sparkling diamante along the center. For added drama, a burst of long quills with diamond-shaped vanes emanates from this flower motif.
Yves Saint Laurent Fox Fur Trim Gloves, $636.32. Available at FarFetch.com
Want to incorporate some fur into your ensemble without going for a full-fledged, fur-covered look? Then try these black cashmere gloves, which feature a black fox fur trim along the wrist area and a gold-tone metal “Y” logo plate at the cuff.
Jane Tran Feather Net Headband, $87.99. Available at Zappos.com
This statement-making headband features a large bow made of black mesh and a spotted leopard fabric, with clusters of feathers accentuating the center and a single quill with a row of triangular-shaped vanes jutting upward toward the sky.
Marchesa Notte Floor Length Evening Gown With Draping, $1132. Available at MyTheresa.com
This ruby red, strapless gown features a fitted and draped bustier, a full skirt with a tulle underskirt for added volume, and an oversize bow along the side of the waist, making it the perfect garment for a love story that will be passed down and recounted through the ages.
Yves Salomon Fox Fur Hat, $427.50. Available at Farfetch.com
No Anna Karenina film would be complete without that classic scene where the title character, donning a fur hat, stands looking into the distance with a forlorn look on her face, snowflakes falling all around her. This rounded fox fur hat from Yves Salomon feels like the perfect fit for just such a scene.
Valentino Black Lace Trim Velvet Gown, $3,734. Available at Stylebop.com
This floor-length, velvet Valentino gown toys with notions of propriety, playing a game of push-and-pull with notions of the forbidden and the permissible, via lace cut-outs along the fitted bodice and the long sleeves that reveal just a hint of skin.
Lagos Muse Drop Earrings, $1295. Available at Nordstrom.com
These 1 5/8″- long sparklers feature pavé-set pink and blue sapphires clustered into domed oval shapes , then arranged so as to create a trickling, tumbling, effect. Sterling silver surrounds each oval shape, punctuating the earrings’ operatic quality and creating a magical effect reminiscent of a starry midnight blue sky.
