Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps – Costume Q&A

Ellen Mirojnick- Wall Street Costume Designer

Having created some of the most recognisable contemporary costume design of the 20th century for Wall Street in 1987, Ellen Mirojnick returns to dress belated sequel Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps. But how has time altered the broker’s look and what sartorial influences does the current economic climate bring to the new world of finance?



costume designer Ellen Mirojnick tells us exactly what to expect when director Oliver Stone’s much anticipated follow up hits cinema screens next month.

Q: How has Wall Street trader attire evolved since the first film?

A: The attire of The Street has evolved. Depending on firm, different dress codes exist. All include moneyed accessories and designer shoes. For example, there is a company lead by an impeccably well-dressed man. He requires every trader and anyone representing his firm to be as polished as he is. From personal grooming to the suitings, they are immaculate. If the code is not met they are sent to the groomer. The look is a very clean style, with a crisp edge. To have the EDGE – the key component is they have to be the EDGE.

At the other end of the spectrum there are firms that encourage a more relaxed casual code. This casualness is head to toe, including no socks with their Gucci or Feragamo loafers. Jackets, shirts and ties are kept in lockers for meetings with clients. At this firm the look on the trading floor is controlled casualness. However, a trader is not allowed on the floor wearing sneakers. There are other small firms, where traders might be in shorts, collared tee’s and baseball hats while trading along side of someone who appears to have stepped out of GQ. The evolution is large.

It feels as if the first Wall Street opened the door to encourage a man to exhibit his personal style. Over the past 23 years, Wall Street has come to symbolize a moneyed style. Always with a certain confidence; one’s own personality and panache. Whether it is as easy as jeans, a button-down, no socks and Gucci loafers or put together in a bespoke ensemble, the pieces are expensive and convey power.

Q: Are the costumes more muted and less showy in this sequel to reflect a change in the economic climate?

A: The film, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps starts in the summer of 2008, as the crash began to unfold. The world closes in on GREED IS GOOD. New York’s Gilded Age was about to implode. The elements in this film are very rich and naturalistic. As wealth accumulated, during the aughts, the excesses blurred the boundaries of style, causing a gilded muscular appearance. But, when everything is gilded, one cannot discern the showiness or the colourfulness; it all appears to be the same until you get close and see the expense in the details.

Q: Who is behind Michael Douglas’ suits as Gordon Gekko this time around?

A: This time around Michael Douglas’ Gordon Gekko has a character arc; very different from the first film. Gordon Gekko starts off as a quiet shark circling the story. One doesn’t know when or where that shark will attack. In the film, he has a few different beats, ending with a great Machiavellian Gekko twist. In the beginning of the story, the single-breasted summer suiting in taupe/grey worsted was made by Canali. The costume was designed specifically for Gekko to be a man that blends into the city. When Gekko emerges as the shark we know, I’ve designed his costumes to be BOLD! He is in his element, sharking in a new pool. Gekko shines in satirical splendour. In contrast to the beginning of the film, once he feeds, his costumes become muscular, bold and totally Gekko bespoken.

Jacob’s style is intended as youthful, sharp and modern. He wears a two button collar to match the proportions of his neck.

Q: How about Shia LaBeouf as Jacob? His clothes are obviously hipper and slimmer than Gekko’s. More Italian looking…

A: Shia LaBeouf’s clothing is all bespoke, as well. Jacob is hip, he is rich, and he wants it all. The cut of his suits have a purposeful sharp silhouette. Every decision about the proportion and perception was made to serve the character, the story and ultimately the actor.

Q: Does the contrast collar and cuffs ‘Gekko shirt’ make a re-appearance?

A: No, this is 2009, Gekko’s new style is simply powerful, bold and handsome.

Q: Is Josh Brolin as Bretton James the ‘new Gekko’? How did you go about creating his look?

A: Josh Brolin is a fetching Bretton James. He is all about presentation, money, power and conquering the world. Bretton is ruthless. This time, the stakes are much bigger than when Gekko originally played with similar ingredients back in the eighties.

When designing a look for a character, I always think about the actor playing the character. I break it down, to build it up. It is an assignment that is architecturally inspired. To think about Bretton, one thinks of Darth Vader.

Q: How involved were the actors in their costumes? Did you discuss with them at length before fittings?

A: Every actor is very involved determining their costumes, they must be. Everything is discussed, every aspect covered. It is very important that the costume component fit first and foremost with the director’s overall vision of the film.

Film of the Month

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

An American drama film directed by Oliver Stone. It is a sequel to the 1987 film Wall Street, and the first sequel Stone has done to any of his films. Michael Douglas reprises his Academy Award-winning role of Gordon Gekko and Shia LaBeouf, Josh Brolin, Carey Mulligan, and Frank Langella also star in the film.

Set in New York City, the film takes place 23 years after the original, revolving around the 2008 financial crisis. The film's plot mainly centers around the reformed Gekko acting as more of an antihero rather than a villain and follows his attempts to help Wall Street before its soon-to-be stock market crash as well as trying to repair his relationship with his daughter Winnie with the help of Jacob, Winnie's fiance. In return, Gekko helps Jacob get revenge on the man he blames for his mentor's death.

The film's story and screenplay are written by Bryan Burrough, Allan Loeb and Stephen Schiff. The film will is produced by Stone, Douglas, Edward R. Pressman, co-produced by Eric Kopeloff and executive produced by Alessandro Camen and Celia D. Costas.

The film is set 23 years after the first film, in June 2008, and Gordon Gekko has just been released from prison. Despite his initial attempts to warn Wall Street of the forthcoming economic downturn and stock market crash, no one in the financial world believes him due to his conviction for financial crimes. Gekko decides to re-focus his attention on rebuilding his relationship with his estranged daughter, Winnie. Due to their time apart, and the fact that Winnie blames Gekko for her brother Rudy's suicide, she avoids any contact with him. At the same time, the mentor of young Wall Street trader Jacob unexpectedly dies, and Jacob suspects his hedge fund manager of being involved in the death. Jacob, who is Winnie's fiancé, seeks revenge and agrees to Gekko's offer of help, in return for which Jacob agrees to help Gekko with Winnie.

London Fashion Week Sep. 2010

London Fashion Week is here: from the catwalk and presentation spaces to the Exhibition. This season, the Somerset House Terrace plays host to the Sony Music Presents, showcasing some of Britain's best music talent.

The schedule reveals newcomers, Swedish fashion design house Acne and SS11 NEWGEN designers Michael Van Der Ham, David Koma and Holly Fulton, all making their on schedule debuts. Giles has confirmed he too will show in London marking a return following two seasons in Paris. Designers also confirmed to show on schedule for a third consecutive season include Burberry Prorsum, Matthew Williamson, Pringle of Scotland, Antonio Berardi and Jonathan Saunders.

NEWGEN MEN designers James Long, Christopher Shannon and J.W. Anderson will once again show on-schedule, alongside a catwalk debut from the cutting-edge tailor to some of the world’s biggest stars Ozwald Boateng. Raw, emerging design talent juxtaposed with innovative yet popular tailoring from Savile Row designers, such as Boateng demonstrates the evolution of the breadth and calibre of talent showcased during LFW’s Menswear Day.

CEO of the British Fashion Council Caroline Rush, commented “London Fashion Week is renowned for its diversity and breadth of talent; our established, iconic brands show alongside our brightest emerging stars in an extraordinary showcase of talent season on season.”

Alexander McQueen memorial service

Kate Moss joined the rest of the world's fashion elite to pay tribute to the influential British designer Alexander McQueen at his memorial service today

Kate Moss, Sarah Jessica Parker, Naomi Campbell and Stella McCartney among fashion elite paying tribute

Family and friends took a break from London Fashion Week for the ceremony, which was a "who's who" of the industry.

Moss, who wore a black leather outfit with a plunging neckline and stilettos, attended the service at St Paul's Cathedral along with Sarah Jessica Parker, Naomi Campbell and Stella McCartney.

Supermodel Campbell wore a black feather dress along with knee-high boots that revealed gold detailing on the sole as she walked up the steps into the cathedral.

Parker caused a stir as she arrived wearing a cream dress protected from the autumn chill by a black knee-length jacket.

Flashes of McQueen's trademark tartan could also be seen as others chose to pay homage by wearing his designs.

NewYork Fashion Week September 2010

Only occurring two times over the span of twelve months

New York Fashion Week illuminated a different type of energy this go around.

Straying away from its usual Bryant Park location, the fall iteration of NYFW operated out of Lincoln Center. The event, which brings in the most stylish and fashionable people from every creek and pond of the world to New York City, would be impossible to define with one word.

This year's upcoming extravaganza - was scheduled from Thursday, September 9 to Thursday, September 16, 2010 - designers gather from around the world to exhibit their Spring 2011 collections.

As always, IMG remains the main driving force behind New York Fashion Week, with Mercedes Benz and Olympus alternately providing major sponsorship.

Twice yearly, the Big Apple goes out of its way to welcome high-powered media moguls and Hollywood movie stars who come to see, or be seen, at one of the planet's most celebrated fashion events that attracts over 100,000 attendees. Behind the scenes, a lucky handful of interns from city fashion schools, such as FIT or Parsons School of Design, toil as volunteers.

Local fashion fans, meanwhile, can tune in to watch full coverage on local channel TV 25 — which annually devotes more than 150 hours of coverage with nightly recaps all week long on special editions of Videofashion Daily.

Hotel of the Month

Le Gray

Martyrs’ Square, Beirut Central District

Beirut, Lebanon

Style: Modern Design
Atmosphere: Lively
87 Rooms

Consider it an 87-room vote of confidence in Beirut. Opening a luxury hotel here is a proposition that’s not without its risks, but this town was practically crying out for such a place as Le Gray, and you have to admire Campbell Gray’s nerve in actually going through with it — this is the man responsible for One Aldwych, in London, among others, and his smart service-first aesthetic should export well.

It’s a modern building built from traditional yellow stone, and it dominates its corner, the way a top hotel should. The accommodations are restrainedly modern, identifiably local but not kitschy, and the amenities are absolutely first-class, from the iPod docks and full HD LCD screen televisions to the luxurious bathrooms with their mosaic floors. There’s a gym and spa, neither of which can be accused of going halfway — six treatment rooms deliver Eastern and Western procedures, and the high-tech gym is staffed with personal trainers.

In Beirut the nightlife plays a special role, and Le Gray’s rooftop bar and restaurant offer upscale Mediterranean cuisine from an open kitchen, with views over the city’s rooftops. There’s something almost celebratory about the whole Gray project, and it’s a mood that suits Beirut quite well

contact number: 00961-1-973111

T.I. Fall/Winter 2010 Campaign

THURSDAY ISLAND

FALL/WINTER CAMPAIGN

Returning for another season with T.I., Francisco Lachowski suits up for quite the somber season. Clad in a wardrobe with militaristic aspirations, Francisco maintains attention with a quiet confidence

Car-of The Month-Porsche Panamera

It’s finally here

and the big question is this:

Is it a sports car or a fancy four-door?

The first four-door in the company’s 61-year history

Slipping into a Panamera is more like entering a 911 than a luxury sedan. The front seats are just 1.2 inches higher than in the 911 but lower than those of its competitors ( BMW 7-series, Lexus LS460, Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes S-class). The 911 look is clearly carried over in the instrument panel, with its array of five round dials; the center stack is also recognizable. The transmission tunnel, however, has a battery of switches and buttons that are more logical and less gimmicky than the rotary dials found in the BMW 7-series and Mercedes S-class.

A shock is the roominess of the back-seat area. Porsche boss Wendelin Wiedeking, a tall and substantial man, had barked about cramped headroom.

Fast as it is, the Panamera is almost hushed as it goes about its business. But never fear: For customers who like thrilling sound effects to go with straight-line fury, Porsche has a way. There’s an exhaust button in the center console that activates a valve on each muffler, opening a bypass that produces a much more Porsche-like roar.

Just like serious sports cars, the Panamera is equipped with a launch-control system. All models also offer a Start/Stop system, which uses a conventional but higher-capacity starter motor. As soon as the Panamera comes to a stop, the system shuts off the engine, then restarts very softly when the driver lifts his foot off the brake.

Highlight of the Week

Dolce & Gabbana’s Naomi Campbell T-Shirt

In honor of Naomi Campbell’s quarter-century-long career, Dolce & Gabbana is launching a line of limited-edition T-shirts featuring the supermodel shot by photography greats Patrick Demarchelier, Steven Klein, David LaChapelle, Mario Testino, Paolo Roversi, Ellen von Unwerth, Bruce Weber, Steven Meisel, Herb Ritts, Fabrizio Ferri, Peter Lindbergh, Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, Tom Munro, and Sølve Sundsbø.

Visit Dolce & Gabbana’s Madison Avenue boutique between 6:30 and 9:45 p.m. on Fashion’s Night Out, September 10, to see Naomi sign the covetable tees—and watch two surprise performances arranged by choreographer Laurie Ann Gibson of Lady Gaga fame.

The collection of tees will continue rolling out to Dolce & Gabbana boutiques worldwide beginning in London on September 21, and proceeds benefit Campbell’s charity, Fashion for Relief.