The Arcade Edit: 1920s-inspired accessories

The Roaring Twenties was a time of striking design to match cultural change. Today, its legacy lives on

It was a time of glamour, a time of freedom. After the hardship of World War I, the 1920s, known as the Roaring Twenties, saw the rise of the automobile and motion pictures; of celebrity culture; and of jazz – hence the term Jazz Age, which is also used to describe the period.

Women took to wearing trousers, and knee-length dresses and skirts, and bobbing their hair – expressing a new sartorial freedom, a reflection perhaps of another social freedom, the right to vote (which was first granted to women in the UK in 1918). Men’s clothes eased up, and they explored casual, athletic clothing. And in design terms, Art Deco, which had started in France just before the War, flourished, with its geometric lines and bold use of colour.

At Burlington Arcade, we have partnered with Damien Chazelle’s Babylon for the holiday season, transforming the 19th-century building into more of a 1920s nightclub. In keeping with this spirit, we have sought out a series of ’20s-inspired accessories that are all available at the Arcade, or to order from the stores there.

Manolo Blahnik: TAT shoes
This highly decorated gold stiletto references the centenary of the 1922 discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. The elaborate embroideries and beautiful beadwork draw inspiration from the gilded ornamentation and decorative patterns of Ancient Egypt.
TAT shoes available from late-January at Manolo Blahnik, 32-33 Burlington Arcade

Crockett & Jones: Overton black patent dress shoe
A great formal evening shoe, the Overton’s elegant lines and shiny leather evoke the party spirit of F Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Made from the finest black patent leather with a lighter-weight welt and lightweight leather sole, this style is not only smart, but also comfortable. An example of a classic look, incorporating modern technology to make for a more relaxed wearer experience.
Overton black patent dress shoe, £410; Crockett & Jones, 20-21 Burlington Arcade

Roja Parfums: Manhattan Eau de Parfum
With a bottle that is illustrated with gold images of Manhattan’s famous Art Deco Chrysler Building (begun in 1928 and the tallest building in the world on its completion in 1930), and a crystal stopper that echoes the Chrysler’s famous shiny stainless steel “needle”, this fragrance plunges you into the pace of the city that never sleeps. The base notes of cedarwood, pine and patchouli create a foundation for a scent with immense presence. New York City was the centre of manufacturing, commerce and culture in the 1920s, and here, while the towering skyscrapers are referenced in the striking bottle, the steam seeping up through Manhattan’s manhole covers is reflected through the fragrance’s smoky tones of tobacco.
Manhattan Eau de Parfum, £295 for 100ml; Roja Parfums, 51 Burlington Arcade

Lalique: Style 1925 earrings
The geometric nature of these earrings, with striped clear crystal, takes inspiration from Art Deco. They are named after the year 1925, famous for the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris, through which the French wanted to regain world recognition for possessing the cultural arts capital of the world. The Style 1925s can be worn in several ways: the black resin studs can be sported alone or with the ear jackets at the back that are made from clear crystal and 18-carat yellow-plated gold. The design is bold and glamorous, and very flapper!
Lalique Style 1925 earrings, £229; Lalique, 42 Burlington Arcade

Swaine: Churchill gentleman’s bridal attaché
The Churchill gentleman’s bridle attaché from Swaine, with its classic, slightly vintage appearance, brings to mind the men-about-town of the prosperous 1920s. This version of the sophisticated hand-stitched briefcase is in vibrant, orange-dyed bridle leather, putting a modern spin on a timeless gentleman’s companion.
Churchill attaché, £3,000; Swaine, 18-19 Burlington Arcade

Lalage Beaumont: Maya East West Orinoco “croc” print calf leather bag
The Maya bag in Lalage Beaumont’s signature “East West” shape has the lines of an Art Deco design, with a crocodile print on the finest Italian calf leather and gold-plated square magnetic locks. It has a detachable shoulder strap that can be worn on the shoulder or cross-body and a top handle. Usefully, it is large enough to carry your phone, keys, purse and make-up – perfect for seeing you through from day to night.
Maya East West Orinoco “croc” print calf leather bag, £775; Lalage Beaumont, 16-17 Burlington Arcade

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