Gatsby Gets Dressed
The Jazz Age is coming to Cincinnati in glittering fashion. From November 7 to 15, Cincinnati Ballet will present the North American premiere of The Great Gatsby at Aronoff Center for the Arts. It is a theatrical event that blends ballet, Broadway, and breathtaking 1920s style.
This production is more than a performance. It is a living, moving runway of one of the most iconic eras in fashion history. The creative team, led by choreographer Septime Webre and costume designer Tim Yip, has created a world that does not simply reference the Roaring Twenties. It fully transports audiences into it.
A Century of Style That Defined Modern Fashion
The 1920s marked a cultural and stylistic revolution. Fashion shed its old-world rigidity and embraced a new identity built on movement, self-expression, and social change. It was the decade of bobbed hair, beaded gowns, tailored suits, and the bright pulse of jazz.
Women abandoned corsets for drop-waist dresses made of silk and chiffon. Hemlines rose, fringe danced beneath stage lights, and embellishments sparkled in the glow of late-night gatherings. Men’s fashion followed this evolution with crisp tailoring, high-waisted trousers, and bow ties that reflected both refinement and confidence. The balance of elegance and ease mirrored a society ready to embrace modernity.
Bringing the Roaring Twenties to the Stage
For The Great Gatsby, Tim Yip draws directly from this legacy. His costumes capture the texture, rhythm, and silhouette of Jazz Age fashion while remaining designed for movement. Fabrics shimmer beneath the stage lights just as they would have in a 1920s speakeasy. Beading and sequins glint with every step, transforming choreography into visual music.
The women’s costumes feature flowing fabrics, delicate beadwork, and graceful embellishments that echo the flapper’s freedom. The men’s costumes reveal sharp tailoring and accessories such as pocket squares and two-tone shoes that define Gatsby’s world. Each garment carries both beauty and purpose, connecting performance with history.
Yip also incorporates modern practicality. Materials stretch and move easily, allowing dancers full range without compromising authenticity. The result is a seamless fusion of historical design and performance innovation that captures the lasting power of the decade’s aesthetic.
A Look That Still Shapes What We Wear
The influence of 1920s fashion continues to shape modern design. Drop-waist silhouettes, sequined gowns, and tuxedos remain staples in contemporary wardrobes. Art Deco patterns inspire modern bridal and couture collections. Even today’s approach to statement dressing can be traced to the individuality and confidence of the Gatsby generation.
This production does more than recreate an era. It shows why that era still matters. The 1920s represented transformation in culture and self-expression. It was about freedom, identity, and the courage to redefine what was possible. On stage, that same energy returns in movement, color, and sound, offering a glimpse into a time when fashion became art.
Performance Details
When: November 7–15
Where: Aronoff Center for the Arts
Tickets: Starting at $39 at cballet.org or by calling 513-621-5282
Showtimes:
November 7 at 7:30 PM
November 8 at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM
November 9 at 1:00 PM
November 13 at 7:30 PM
November 14 at 7:30 PM
November 15 at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM
The production features a live jazz band, two tap dancers, local singer Mandy Gaines, actor and narrator Wesley Carman, and the dancers of Cincinnati Ballet.
Fashion has always been a form of storytelling. Every hemline, button, and jeweled accent on this stage tells a story about a generation that redefined culture. By bringing Gatsby’s world to life through costume and choreography, Cincinnati Ballet is not only performing a work of art. It is reviving a moment in time when style became a symbol of change and imagination.