My English teacher at the time had assigned us to read the classic. This was the book where I learned how to write in the third person like with F. Scott Fitzgerald’s character in the book, Nick Carraway.
The first edition was published in 1925. The New York Times editor at the time, Arthur Mizener, proclaimed the novel ‘a classic of twentieth-century American fiction.’
The Great Gatsby has sold over 25 million copies worldwide. Even to this day, the book still sells around 500,000 copies annually. Despite all its success, however, the main thing I remember about the book was beautiful Daisy Buchanan and the fabulous parties held at Jay Gatsby’s mansion.
Well, I supposed I am shocked to admit that The Great Gatsby is not only a famous novel but it also chronicles the fashion of Phuket ladies too. I can remember the first time I saw this photo (pictured) of a bride in an ankle-length skirt and a beautiful flower tiara on her forehead. She had a short bob hair style and holding a very long bouquet of flowers with some fern leafs. Beautiful!
Madame Rabiab Koysomboon gave me this picture. She told me that the bride was her auntie and the groom was the owner of “Hup Soon”, the oldest pharmacy in Phuket Town. My friend Mrs Rabiab is from a prominent family in Phuket Town, so these pictures were kept in good condition.
I'd love to point you to the two lovely page girls in their best Western dress. They are so cute and also very fashionable.
This wedding photo was from a time just after the end of World War II. The book shows the glamorous clothing worn during that period, where ladies dressed their best and with lots of jewellery. Fortunately, it’s still the latest fashion for today too. But where did Phuket ladies get these beautiful dresses?
Well, we were very smart and had lots of contact with Penang back in those days. So us Phuketians took our para rubber sheets and tin ore to sell in Penang in the days when it was under British rule.
We then carried all the imported goods we could back home to Phuket. The bride’s father could therefore afford to buy the best material – made in England – and he had it made by the best lady tailor in town. It was his pride to find a valuable gift for his beloved daughter on her special day.