A few months ago I wrote an article entitled Girls On Film: Style Brands & Video about the plethora of labels now using video to communicate their messages and peddle their wares. Lately there’s been a couple more New Zealand brands getting in on the act.
Last week I attended a show at Plaything Gallery. It was no ordinary art opening, rather it was a dual film screening and launch of Stolen Girlfriends Club’s latest collection: Weapons Of Mass Seduction.
The film, shot by photographer Derek Henderson, depicted a collection of awkward moments, SGC’s friends, family and clothes. We gathered on a rooftop, glass jars of wine in hand, to watch it projected on a wall across the way. It was raw, cool, funny and certainly touching in some places.
Above all, it made me want the clothes. I saw how they looked on a living, feeling human. Perhaps if I had one of those sweet Old News button up denim shirts I’d be just as charming? Sadly I can’t embed the film but if you go to the Stolen Girlfriends site it’s on the homepage.
Cybèle, my favourite New Zealand designer, has also released a video to celebrate her new SS 09/10 collection, Serpentine.
According to fellow Kiwi blogger Isaac Likes, the film is inspired by dancer Loie Fuller’s 1896 ‘Danse Serpentine‘. Take a look – it’s a gorgeous number, with a mesmerizing hand painted effect. Then check out Cybèle’s smokey, kaleidoscopic showcase:
I think these both of these films are great introductions to their respective brand – someone with an interest in film is likely to watch these videos without needing an intimate knowledge of fashion, while clothes ponies can pursue their interests with a different perspective.
The next steps for the fashion and video relationship? Well live broadcasts from Fashion Weeks already get a look in, and fashion houses are making features, a la The September Issue and Karl Lagerfeld’s 2007 film. In my opinion, it’s only a matter of time before fashion bloggers start producing their own DIY clothes dramas, seeing as most seem to have photo shoots on par with professional look books. We’ll also soon be able to go to the cinema, watch a film and then shop the film at the accompanying site – something along the lines of an easily accessible 2010 Sex & The City.
What do you think is going to happen next?
Cybele is in Tokyo right now (like right now as we speak) launching the above film – made for her new S/S 09/10 collection Serpentine – at American Rag Cie’s Aoyama Tokyo store. Inspired by a clip of Loie Fuller’s Danse Serpentine, found on YouTube, the film features Derya Parlak writhing in a smoke filled box. Says Cybele, “I love how the shapes and fabrics of the collection move and flow – like they do on the body when worn, it’s always exciting to see the clothes in motion. Mediums outside of fashion (art, sculpture, design) are always a constant inspiration for my work.” Cybele joins a growing force of fashion designers (like Gareth Pugh, Stefano Pilati for YSL and Stolen Girlfriends Club) who have begun presenting their collections as films. No doubt it eliminates the stress of a full scale runway show. That said, Cybele will be showing once again at New Zealand Fashion Week this year – in the opening time slot.
3 of my favourite childhood books are coming to life in film, and I for one am excited like a small child.
For your viewing pleasure, here are the trailers for them all. Best served warm, in large doses, topped with cream and raw cocoa nibs!
Where The Wild Things Are. Pyjamas, monsters and an Arcade Fire soundtrack? Where do I sign up?
Fantastic Mr Fox! Directed by the swoony Wes Anderson, based on the book by the genius Roald Dahl.
Alice in Wonderland – don’t be late! Mr. Depp does crazy so well, it’s very admirable.
Seriously, if you don’t get shivers down your spine after watching at least one of these, please advise and we will do our best to unearth your sense of joy – starting with a reading list.
She doesn’t smile much (romantically entwined with Tony Montana, would you?) but Elvira is a fox. An ice-queen with perfect hair, a couple of dirty habits and an awesome wardrobe.
Get the look with an Alexander Wang slim fit dress or a slinky baby doll nightgown from your local vintage store. Beauty wise, you need a banging fringe, thickly lacquered eyelashes and perfect french polished nails. Accessorize with over sized glasses with a gradient tint and waterfalls of diamonds. Throw bored looks everywhere, powder your nose.
I remember first watching the 1975 Grey Gardens cult documentary when I was 15. Edith Bouvier Beale and Edith “Little Edie” Bouvier Beale made such an impression. The film is mostly awash with eccentric style and dilapidated lives; but every so often you could see a touch of refinement flare in their eyes. It’s really worth watching, beyond being a study in human relationships; as many designers and photographers have used the film as a visual reference.
Of course, I’m mad about animals, but raccoons and cats become a little bit boring.
Now Jessica Lane and Drew Barrymore have starred in a 2009 telemovie based on the Edies’ lives. Reports say Barrymore really committed herself to this role – staying in character and withdrawing from family and friends.
The first images from the much awaited Where The Wild Things Are film. I melted at the sight of little Max-Max (the kid’s name is actually Max!) and Spike hanging out on set. The film is out at the end of the year. Squee!
May. The year was 1980 and Ian Curtis was dead before Love Will Tear Us Apart by Joy Division took over the charts. He never got to see it become one of the greatest indie anthems in history, punctuating the personal soundtrack of many a melancholy soul.
The video was made by the band as they recorded the song, I really like the rawness of it. It’s like opening a time capsule that’s been buried in the dirt for so long everything has been permeated by dust and moisture. A bit like love really, sometimes the elements get to it, the desperation takes hold.
I have been feeling the urge to watch a lot of French or French inspired films lately. One of the DVDs I picked up was Le Scaphandre et le Papillon or The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. Directed by Julian Schnabel, it tells the story of Jean-Do Bauby – the editor of French Elle – who suffers a stroke, leaving him completely paralysed. The only thing he can move is his left eye.
Thankfully, with the dedicated care of the people around him, he still enjoys a quality of life and the ability to communicate – with a blinking derived alphabet system. It all culminates in the publishing of a novel, as transcribed by his supporters.
If you have seen the recent James Bond movie, you may be familiar with Mathieu Amalric, who plays Bauby. I was saddened by his role in the Hollywood explode-a-rama, however do not fear he is a brilliant actor and The Diving Bell is a testament to this.
The film has not been without disputes. In real life, Bauby’s girlfriend is not the wench she is made out to be in the movie, as this article discusses. Florence Bensadoun actually spent weeks by his bedside, tending to her lover, while the filmic wife was apparently not true to life.
Despite the controversy, Le Scaphandre et le Papillon is still a loving, dreamy film that shows that a life is still to be valued even when everything but your mind is gone.
RATING:
(This is the French cinema trailer, which in my mind is far superior to the Western offering.)
How do you animate a fragrance…? Perfume is simple enough to communicate by print, simply add a swatch. But on screen you must let the imagination do all the work using sound and fantasy to conjure a scent. Hence, we are presented with wild worlds – the transcendence of gravity, time and space, usually smothered in jazz.
Here the top 5 perfume ads I’ve viewed recently (not familiar to me as they never screened on television here); they are all rather moody, slick little clips, heavy with a fog of luxury.
Gucci by Gucci, directed by David Lynch.
Tokyo by Kenzo, directed by Patrick Guedj.
Harajuku Lovers by Gwen Stefani.
L by Gwen Stefani.
Champs Elysees by Guerlain (circa 1996).
Also set in Paris – and due to be unleashed on the internet shortly – is Sofia Coppola’s commerical for the Miss Dior Cherie. I am keeping a keen eye out for it, having madly adored the print campaign. ❤
I love watching films that make me uncomfortable. Cinema of unease that leads to a slight clenching of my jaw as I study the screen. A painful conversation or two that makes me twist my toes into knots as I listen. That was the Squid and the Whale… a brilliant movie that I waited far too long to watch. It’s the story of the Berkmans and divorce, the separation of an entire family.
Here are a selection of stills from the film.. It was set in Brooklyn, 1986 – so it was interesting to see how the costuming was rather neutral – except for Anna Paquin’s scarf! Or rather has fashion come around enough to declare brown corduroy jackets fashionable? Check out the hot typewriter shirt in the last still.
And this is the movie’s namesake; the squid and the whale at the Natural History Museum in NYC. I hope to go see it some time very soon! Just like I hope you get to see the Squid and the Whale film soon if you haven’t already.
PS. The soundtrack is awesome. I rank it up there with the Risky Business soundtrack – 1980’s aural pleasure ❤
Karen Inderbitzen-Waller is New Zealand’s top stylist. Recently at Air New Zealand Fashion Week she was praised again and again for injecting magic into shows. On top of that she is a well established photographer, known for her cinematic interpretations of daily life.
These photos are from Karen’s blog at The Wire, where she documents her many overseas travels. Natural light, exotica locale, interesting angles from a keen eye. You can also take inspiration from reading about her passion for Tretchikoff and her lovely retro home.
The Ronson family takes on the Tenenbaums courtesy of Harper’s Bazaar. I think it’s brilliant and I only wish there were more pictures to look at!
If you haven’t already, take the time to watch Wes Anderson’s movies; they are screamingly neurotic. The Royal Tenenbaums caused me so much joy I called myself Margot for months as a teenager, while The Darjeeling Ltd has inspired me to embark on a great train trip. Up next for Mr. Anderson is an animation of The Fantastic Mr. Fox – the idea of another Roald Dahl film version makes me positively giddy with excitement!
I’m sure every girl has dreamed of wearing their very own ruby red slippers at some time. Impressively, Swarovski is making your dreams possible! 20 iconic designers are collaborating with the luxe crystal company and Warner Brothers to create fresh and sexy new interpretations of the slippers.
The well heeled group include: Amedeo Testoni, Abaete, Alberta Ferretti, Betsey Johnson, Botkier, Christian Louboutin, Diane von Furstenberg, Giuseppe Zanotti, Jimmy Choo, L.A.M.B. by Gwen Stefani, Lisa Pliner, Manolo Blahnik, Moschino, Oscar de la Renta, Roger Vivier, Sergio Rossi, Stuart Weitzman, Tibi, and Tuleh.
After exhibition around the States, including Art Basel Miami, the shoes will be auctioned off in support of an Aids charity in (the northern) autumn 2009.
I’m really interested to see what will be designed by L.A.M.B – the Wizard of Oz look is a key part of Gwen’s style – but it would be wonderful if she took it to the next kooky level. My favourite of the sketches above is the darling Moschinos, with the split bow (I’m all about pretty bows at the moment). However, were you to give me any of them I would be in love! What would be your pick?
My daily outfit: I love my Huffer skeleton gloves and they definitely get a lot of comments when I’m out and about! This outfit is an odd combination of a few of my favourite pieces. The dress is by Skylark and was originally bought to wear to my 21st birthday party. The leather jacket (not real cow though!) is a brand new addition to my wardrobe but has been around for a while – circa 1970’s. I bought it in a wee town called Te Aroha in the Waikato, at a really fabulous retro store. Definitely worth a look there if you are ever passing through!
