Art Deco and Its Global Influence: From Paris to Shanghai
Art Deco, like a particularly stylish guest at a glamorous dinner party, entered the scene in the early 20th century, and it hasn’t quite left since. With its bold geometric shapes, luxurious materials, and a certain flair for the dramatic, it made itself known not only as an artistic movement but as a global statement. From the streets of Paris to the skylines of Shanghai, Art Deco’s influence has seeped into every corner of modern life, subtly shaping the way we look at everything from buildings to the objects we collect. If the 1920s were a soundtrack, Art Deco would be the jazz — dynamic, smooth, and perhaps just a little bit elusive.
Art Deco isn’t just a design style; it’s a manifestation of a global moment — a kind of collective exhale after the horrors of World War I. But much like a stunning cocktail served in a sleek, geometric glass, its appeal is layered. It’s as much about glamour and excess as it is about optimism and technological progress. And its influence has spanned decades, continents, and cultures, making it a remarkably versatile aesthetic that doesn’t seem to be going out of style anytime soon.
Chrysler Building (Source: Dorff/CC 3.0)
The Rise of Art Deco: Paris and the Roaring Twenties
Art Deco’s roots stretch deep into the artistic traditions of the early 20th century, and it’s no coincidence that Paris, the cultural heart of Europe, was at the epicentre of this revolution. The style itself is an eclectic blend of influences — from the clean lines of Cubism to the exotic allure of African art, from the opulence of French Rococo to the sleekness of modernist design. It emerged as a reaction to the excesses of the Victorian era, embracing a new world where industrialisation, speed, and efficiency could coexist with luxury.
If we were to personify Art Deco, it would be the epitome of a well-dressed aristocrat, sipping a gin and tonic while simultaneously discussing the latest breakthroughs in technology and science. It embodies the optimism of a world recovering from the devastation of World War I, looking forward to the future with an unwavering confidence. The style is sleek, bold, and a little daring — much like the era it represents.
The Paris Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes, held in 1925, was the moment when Art Deco truly crystallised as a distinct movement. The exhibition showcased the latest in design, from architecture to furniture, and the world took note. From then on, the Art Deco aesthetic spread like wildfire across the globe, from Paris to New York, London, and beyond. Its signature elements — sharp angles, clean lines, and the lavish use of materials like chrome, glass, and marble, became synonymous with modern luxury.
But behind all that polished glamour, there’s an undercurrent of social commentary. Art Deco was as much about celebrating progress as it was about marking the disparity between the wealthy elite and the working class. Yes, it was about indulgence, but it was also about a world that was moving forward — perhaps too quickly for some to keep up with. The social stratification that Art Deco embodied was inextricably tied to the larger socio-political landscape of the time. In a world still reeling from the Great War, Art Deco symbolised a desire to leave behind the sombreness of the past, but it also reinforced a divide between those who could afford to indulge in the era’s luxuries and those who couldn’t.
Art Deco’s preoccupation with luxury and high-class fashion, often celebrated in its architecture and furnishings, pointed toward the growing role of consumerism in post-WWI society. The style was reflective of a broader cultural shift in which materialism, glamour, and the display of wealth became increasingly important. The elite, now more than ever, saw themselves as entitled to a world of opulence. In this sense, Art Deco was as much about an economic and social statement as it was about aesthetic refinement.
A Global Movement: From New York to Shanghai
As with all great movements, Art Deco didn’t just stay put. It traveled, adapted, and evolved as it spread across the world. Like an accomplished dancer moving between styles, Art Deco absorbed influences from the cities it touched, creating unique interpretations in each place. Let’s take a trip around the world to see how Art Deco made its mark on different continents, from the skyscrapers of New York to the cosmopolitan streets of Shanghai.
New York: The City That Never Sleeps (and Has the Best Buildings)
When Art Deco arrived in New York, it had big plans — mostly to change the city’s skyline. The famous Chrysler Building, with its gleaming spire and elegant ornamentation, became the ultimate symbol of the Art Deco era. Rising above the city’s streets like a crown, it’s impossible to imagine the city without it. But Art Deco in New York wasn’t just confined to tall buildings. It influenced everything from fashion to movie theatres, creating a visual vocabulary that spoke to both the technological marvels of the era and the desire for refined beauty.
There’s something inherently American about Art Deco’s New York incarnation: a perfect blend of ambition, excess, and streamlined efficiency. The skyscraper itself became a monument to progress, an embodiment of a rapidly modernising world. In a city where everyone’s looking up, Art Deco’s towering designs say, “We’ve arrived… and we’re here to stay.”
A private karaoke room in Club Reign at Wanda Reign, Shanghai
But the socio-political implications of Art Deco’s rise in New York can’t be ignored. The city was at the crossroads of class and industry, and Art Deco’s prominence in the urban landscape was more than a mere design choice, it reflected the social dynamics of the time. New York’s skyscrapers were not just architectural wonders but were symbols of capitalist triumph, marking the city as a global power centre. The lavish use of materials like marble, bronze, and glass in these structures was not just about beauty — it was a statement of wealth and exclusivity.
Shanghai: The Art Deco Intersection of East and West
If New York’s Art Deco is about boldness and ambition, Shanghai’s version is about sophistication and the blending of cultures. As a major trading port and cosmopolitan centre in the early 20th century, Shanghai was uniquely positioned to become a melting pot for Western and Eastern influences. The city’s Art Deco buildings are often characterized by their fusion of Western modernity with traditional Chinese design elements — think sleek, geometric facades combined with intricate, almost whimsical detailing.
Shanghai’s Bund, the city’s waterfront promenade, is home to a collection of Art Deco masterpieces that reflect the city’s role as a cultural and economic crossroads between East and West. The combination of modernist design with oriental motifs creates a visual dialogue that speaks to Shanghai’s unique position in the world. The city’s Art Deco buildings tell the story of a China that was modernizing rapidly, but also deeply connected to its past.
But Shanghai’s Art Deco influence wasn’t just architectural. The city also became a hub for Art Deco-influenced fashion, graphic design, and interiors. The burgeoning Shanghai fashion scene adopted Art Deco’s geometric patterns and bold colours, incorporating them into the latest trends. In the world of interiors, the use of lacquered wood, lacquered ceramics, and geometric rugs fused Eastern materials with Western modernity. This duality in design reflects Shanghai’s complicated relationship with colonialism and modernisation. Art Deco’s appeal in Shanghai was not just about luxury; it was a delicate dance between embracing Western ideals while retaining a strong sense of local identity.
In Shanghai, Art Deco wasn’t just a statement of modern luxury — it was a symbol of a city’s ambition to blend the old and the new, to build a bridge between different worlds, both culturally and economically. The design style is less about excess and more about elegance, a quality that remains central to Shanghai’s character today.
The Enduring Appeal: Why We Can’t Quit Art Deco
It’s hard to deny the charm of Art Deco. Its timeless elegance speaks to our desire for sophistication, luxury, and a touch of fantasy. But beyond the glitz and glamour, there’s something deeper at play. Art Deco’s global influence continues to shape our understanding of design, architecture, and even social status. Its power lies not only in its aesthetic appeal but in its ability to adapt and evolve with the times.
In a world increasingly dominated by minimalism and simplicity, Art Deco stands as a bold, almost rebellious, counterpoint. It reminds us of a time when design was an expression of both technological optimism and cultural extravagance. It’s not just about shiny surfaces or geometric patterns — it’s about a world that saw progress as something worth celebrating, a world that believed in the beauty of both form and function.
However, a critical analysis of Art Deco also brings to light its deeper socio-political role. While the style presented a world of glamour and sophistication, it also reinforced societal divisions and reflected a certain set of values. Art Deco was a celebration of wealth, and its adherence to luxury materialism drew a clear line between the elite and the working classes. In the post-WWI world, when class struggles were beginning to intensify, the extravagant displays of wealth through Art Deco could be seen as an attempt to elevate certain segments of society while further marginalizing others. Moreover, the movement was deeply intertwined with colonialism — often romanticising exoticism and borrowing motifs from non-Western cultures while ignoring the historical contexts from which these influences were drawn. It’s a paradoxical legacy — Art Deco, with its shiny surfaces and seductive glamour, also served as a reminder of the inequalities and power structures that defined the early 20th century.
Art Deco: A Global Influence with Complex Underpinnings
Art Deco emerged at a time when the world was grappling with the aftermath of World War I, a moment marked by both despair and an insatiable desire for new beginnings. At first glance, its sleek lines, lavish ornamentation, and celebratory aesthetics might seem purely about opulence and glamour. However, what sets Art Deco apart is that its flamboyance was never just about material luxury — it was about redefining the future. It was an aesthetic response to the disillusionment of the postwar world, yet beneath the shiny surfaces and geometric patterns lay a deeper commentary on the socio-political and cultural shifts of the time.
The Socio-Political Context: Luxury in a Post-WWI World
The early 20th century was a period of great social upheaval. The Great War had just ended, and a sense of optimism emerged amid the ruins, but this optimism was tempered by the sharp class divisions that continued to shape society. Art Deco was a visual manifestation of the new world order — where the aftermath of the war called for a rebirth, a celebration of progress and human achievement. Yet, at its core, Art Deco also reflected the stark inequalities of the time. The style's emphasis on luxury and exclusivity, with its materials like gold, lacquer, and exotic woods, was in stark contrast to the economic struggles faced by the working and middle classes in the aftermath of the war. In many ways, Art Deco served as both a marker of the aspirational desires of the emerging middle class and as a clear symbol of the elite’s desire to maintain their status at the top of the socio-economic ladder.
While the bourgeoisie reveled in the extravagance of Art Deco design, its grand displays of wealth and refined taste also underscored a reality: luxury, though celebrated, was often out of reach for most. The tension between this exclusive world of Art Deco and the economic realities of the time is what gives the movement its complex, almost ironic nature. Art Deco, in many ways, was not just an escape into fantasy but a reminder of how far removed the privileged were from the ordinary realities of everyday life.
Art Deco as a Reflection of Class: The Glare of Glittering Inequality
In the sweeping curves of the Chrysler Building or the polished chrome of ocean liners, Art Deco’s lavishness wasn’t only an aesthetic choice, it was a performance of status. By positioning itself as the style of the elite, Art Deco was, in many ways, an exercise in class distinction. For the upper classes, the style didn’t simply communicate wealth — it symbolized a distinct cultural identity that set them apart from the masses. The stark divide between the opulence of Art Deco architecture and the humble living conditions of the working class reveals the deep fractures in society.
Art Deco’s exclusivity was reflected in the luxury interiors of Parisian apartments, New York skyscrapers, and Miami’s Art Deco district, where marble, gold, and crystal were used liberally. While the aesthetic choices were not explicitly political, they indirectly reinforced the existing socio-economic hierarchies. Luxury goods were becoming more accessible to the emerging middle class, but the elite continued to hold the cultural capital, perpetuating a cycle of exclusion and aspiration. This created a distinct cultural divide — one where those who could afford Art Deco’s opulence used it not just as decoration but as a badge of their superiority.
Cultural Impact: More Than Just Architecture
Art Deco is often lauded for its architectural achievements, particularly in the towering skyscrapers of New York, the glamorous hotels of Miami Beach, and the international pavilions of the 1925 Paris Exposition. However, its influence reached far beyond architecture. Art Deco was not a singular domain but a multi-disciplinary movement that spanned fashion, interior design, and even graphic design.
From Left to Right: Miami Beach, 1923 Jean Patou '“Les Idees Nouvelles de la Mode'' Fashion Art Deco Pochoir “Tres Parisien'', Casablanca, American Standard Building
Fashion: The Tailored Lines and the Fabric of Identity
Fashion was an arena where Art Deco’s aesthetic flourished in its purest, most wearable form. Designers like Jean Patou and Elsa Schiaparelli embraced the movement’s geometric patterns, luxurious materials, and clean lines, creating garments that symbolised modernity and sophistication. The fashion industry, particularly in Paris, used Art Deco as a vehicle for elite status — clothing was no longer merely functional; it became a signifier of one’s place within the social hierarchy.
Beyond the fashionable flapper dresses and Art Deco-inspired silhouettes, however, lies a deeper critique of how the movement played into the rise of the consumer culture of the 1920s. The quest for luxury and exclusivity in fashion mirrored the very concerns of Art Deco in architecture — how to advertise affluence without appearing too overt. While the wealthy donned Art Deco-inspired garments as a marker of refinement, the masses increasingly sought to imitate this elite style, further blurring the lines between the “haves" and “have-nots."
Interior Design: The Perfection of the Private World
Art Deco also had a profound impact on interior design, with luxury hotels, private homes, and cinemas showcasing the style’s signature aesthetic. The streamlined furniture and opulent finishes reflected a world where the private spaces of the elite became carefully curated stages of exclusivity. In wealthy homes, the use of lacquer, polished metals, and bold, angular furniture created a modern, sophisticated atmosphere, providing a contrast to the more ornate, over-decorated styles that came before.
However, even within the private spaces of the upper classes, there was a clear sense of performance. The manner in which these spaces were designed — focusing on clean lines and minimalist yet highly curated decoration, suggested that luxury was not just about the display of wealth but about subtly curating an identity. Much like the fashion choices of the period, these interiors became markers of a social identity that was exclusive and reserved for the privileged few.
The Graphic Design Revolution: Deco on Paper
(Source: Richard Hamilton Smith/Getty Images)
Art Deco also significantly influenced graphic design, particularly in the realm of advertising and visual culture. The bold, stylised lettering, geometric shapes, and strong colour contrasts that emerged during this period served as a form of visual shorthand for modernity. With its clean lines and symmetrical patterns, Art Deco advertising spoke to a world that was speeding toward the future. But there’s an interesting irony in how these designs were used. On one hand, they sold luxury and sophistication to the growing middle class. On the other hand, these very designs reflected a broader cultural shift towards consumption and the commodification of style itself. This tension between Art Deco’s elite origins and its mass-market appeal encapsulates the contradictions inherent in the movement.
Colonialism and the Spread of Art Deco
One of the most compelling, yet under-discussed, aspects of Art Deco’s global reach is its relationship with colonialism. In cities like Shanghai and Casablanca, the movement intersected with colonial histories and presented a visual language that was simultaneously modern and entrenched in imperialist legacies. In Shanghai, for example, Art Deco was often seen in the architecture of buildings that were built by European and American powers during the city’s time as an international settlement. These buildings were not simply aesthetic statements — they were symbols of colonial dominance, with Western powers using Art Deco’s sleek, modern forms to project both sophistication and superiority.
In the case of Shanghai’s Bund, Art Deco served as a tool to reinforce colonial power structures, while also offering the illusion of modernity and progress. This juxtaposition of the modern with the colonial is particularly fascinating, as it reflects the tension between the desire for cosmopolitanism and the realities of global inequality.
The Lasting Legacy of Art Deco
Art Deco’s legacy is undeniably rich, not just in terms of its visual appeal but also in how it reflects the socio-political, cultural, and economic forces of the time. As much as it was a response to the optimism of the post-WWI era, it also served as a lens through which the inequalities of that time could be viewed more clearly. From its impact on architecture and fashion to its legacy in advertising and design, Art Deco encapsulated a moment in history that was both forward-looking and, in many ways, deeply entrenched in the existing structures of power.
Art Deco is more than just a style — it’s a reflection of the world in which it was born. It’s a celebration of the modern age, a symbol of progress, and a reminder of the complexities of global culture. From Paris to Shanghai, Art Deco’s influence remains a testament to its ability to transcend time and place. It is, after all, a style that can both dazzle and provoke, offering a window into the past while still speaking to the present.
In all its boldness and complexity, Art Deco remains a paradox — a symbol of progress, yet a product of its time, a luxury that hides its socio-political undercurrents. Its lasting appeal lies in the way it straddles these contradictions, making it as relevant today as it was nearly a century ago.
Art Deco was, in essence, a gilded cage. Its beauty was undeniable, but within its luxurious forms lay the mechanisms of exclusion, classism, and imperialism. By reflecting the desires of the wealthy and reinforcing their status, Art Deco became not just a design movement, but a vehicle for cultural power. It reminded us that style is never just about beauty — it’s also about who gets to create it, who gets to consume it, and, most crucially, who gets to be seen as worthy of it.
S xoxo
Written in London, England
4th February 2025