This version of “Jane Eyre”, Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, Director of Photography, Adriano Goldman, Costume Designer, Michael O’Connor, and Music by Dario Marianelli, seduces you in a cold, windy, embrace.  Beautifully shot, paired with evocative music, plus so many clothing details, I could hardly keep up.

The main takeaway is COLLARS.  So many delicate, artful collars, I couldn’t see anything else.  I don’t know if they were lace, embroidered linen or cotton voile, but just that they were exquisite.  You could use these for a light, prim, detail in a spring collection featuring linen and cotton shifts.  You don’t need any jewelry with collars like these.

Don’t you love her little bow brooch?

I love this shot because she’s talking about being trapped and not only is she framed in a window, but the window panes act as a prison cell.

Another great collar.

And another.

Here are some great collar and cuff combos.  Why don’t people make a nice, lacy or embroidered cuff anymore?  It’s perfect for winter, wear it under your fave solid wool/cashmere sweater.  It adds a splash of femininity to something otherwise unisex.

OMG how fun is this cuff?  Double layered and belled! And the collar is such a whimsical shape.

I love the little tie at the collar.

The sleeve details, tight, pleated, layered in contrast to the full skirts give you a sense of how restrained all the women in this period are.

A closer look at the sleeve.

The layered sleeves make me want to make fitted wool blazers or pea coats.

How cute is this sleeve detail on her shoulder? Imagine it being on a felted wool pea coat? The vertical, hanging necklace is hard to see, and seems a little out of place, it’s almost like a noose around her neck, but I like it.

Young Jane’s school uni made me think of Helmut Lang in the mid 90’s. Imagine it in black over a white shirt. So cool.

The back.

Jane’s shoes are the last vestige of her privileged upbringing. Crafty oxfords, please someone make these.

Grey, mesh, fingerless gloves?! Gimme!

As for the the men, Mr. Rochester is a dandy when the mood suits him, but St. John, played by a grown up Jamie Bell, is always dressed in stark black and white.  I love the contrast of the soft, white, thin cravat with the bulky, black and stiff vest, coat and overcoat.

This stiff, almost waxed overcoat serves as a type of emotional armor.

Check out the nice, wide collar from the back. If it were a waxed cotton, it would be selling out in an All Saints shop

All in all, this version surprised me by how stunning it was visually and aurally.  Mr. Rochester always stuns me… Hello?  Sexual harassment!  But it is a classic tome, sure to be remade again, and again, but probably won’t look as cool.  Tremendous job, Michael O’Connor.

http://focusfeatures.com/jane_eyre

Jane Eyre poster. From IMDB.