Behind the Scenes

The first fashion film shoot for the year happened yesterday on a mostly sunny day (thankfully) at Ballast Point Park where we had model Sarah Elizabeth of Priscillas running about in Callista Potts swimwear and abseiling off a big rusty water tank! check out the lovely Maja Baska's behind the scenes shots of some of the action that went down here. Amazing!

Fabric and Film

Moderat "Rusty Nails" from Pfadfinderei on Vimeo.

This videoclip for Moderat capitalises on the sensuous and sculptural form that fabric can take. Beautifully shot, it has that indulgent element with the flowing fabric while also looking thoroughly modern with the camera technique and black background. Really lovely.

Fashion Journalism redux

New tracks in the world of SHOWstudio's take on fashion communication: the idea of a magazine feature comes to life on screen, with collaborator Alex Fury delivering a journalistic style commentary on the meanings and significance of the new season Prada shoes and stockings. This is yet another application of the idea of film coming into fashion, and i think this could definitely be expanded upon as a different approach to fashion reporting - even for fashion blogging. It shows that the esoteric side of fashion can still be presented in an engaging way, and that the wealth of fashion theory and knowledge - that is established and continues to grow - may have an outlet other than in an academic text or journal. While the video could not be embedded away from the site, click on the image below to go to their viewing page, as part of their Object fetish series.

Discussions of a fashion future

This video is an important and timely talk between Imran Amed of The Business of Fashion and Dazed and Confused founder Jefferson Hack as part of their Fashion Pioneers series. It looks at this period in time in which fashion media has been going through drastic change as it transitions from print, to digital, and a range of other platforms such as the Ipad - which has the potential to change the whole user experience of magazine consumption. They talk about the future of fashion and how it is seen, as these new interfaces are literally shaping a new way of viewing and interacting with the images, the designers and the clothing. It's thought provoking conversation, and part of the ongoing, evolving debate between print and digital media.

BoF Fashion Pioneers: Jefferson Hack from The Business of Fashion on Vimeo.

Tom Fordalicious

Tom Ford’s first foray into cinema has delivered a sensitive, evocative portrayal of lost love and human relationships. Based on the book by Christopher Isherwood, Colin Firth plays college professor George Falconer, a gay man crippled by the loss of his partner in a sudden accident. He maintains a polished, yet solitary existence while systematically organising his own suicide.
Ford’s fashion aesthetic comes through in the sensuous imagery: a highly stylised depiction of 1960’s America, at times bordering on a commercial look. Coming from a high fashion background, the consciously constructed world through which George moves can feel detached, yet it also adds to the sense of his loss and gradual disassociation from life. Memorable scenes are effectively the incongruent ones; a surreal conversation with the neighbouring family’s daughter and a fleeting moment with a Spanish model-type in the hazy light of an LA sunset. Bold and achingly beautiful, it is an accomplished debut for Ford from designer to director.

http://drnorth.wordpress.com/2010/02/23/suicide-is-spotless-a-single-man/

Moody Men

Continuing with my love and research of men in fashion and masculinity, NOWNESS has just released a new film for the Dior Homme AW2010 collection. Taking inspiration from a found polaroid of a white hallway, photographer Sharif Hamza recreated this scene in which to frame the new men's line, producing a film resplendent in mood as well as showing a reverence for the clothing itself. The billowing trench is particularly arresting, as well as the close up shots of the models, seeming to communicate without the need for words, as Sharif intends.

The White Room, Dior Homme Fall 2010

Directed by Sharif Hamza

Styled by Robbie Spencer

Electric People

Just came across this film clip "We Are Electric" by Fischerspooner  on Vimeo.
What a mad video, an overload of everything obsessing my eye lately - different forms of light, in so many combinations, mixed with out there headgear, mirrors, cool styling and even video screen mouthpieces! Lots of inspiration for a current project as i am looking at lighting options. Credit to Andrew Schneider for that touch of digital dental greatness.

FISCHERSPOONER "We Are Electric" official music video from SUBVOYANT on Vimeo.

FISCHERSPOONER: "We Are Electric"

Directors: Jason Cacioppo & Adam Dugas

Stylist: K8 Hardy

Makeup: Tracy Alfajora

Lighting: Ben Kopald

Video Helmet: Andrew Schneider

In transition: the new fashion media

A new post from my friend DesignBrainBucket is a comprehensive little summary of my main area of research, the changes in fashion communication. Having just completed a dissertation in this topic, it's nice to see that the interest for new kinds of fashion media is growing - it is an area that is increasingly getting more attention and i think will continue to do so for a while to come. The internet is being embraced more and more, having gained a dominant presence as a disseminator of fashion news and trends - it is instantaneous, something that is unique to this format of communication. Maybe once the intensity of having written a whole dissertation on the topic dies down, i will write something with more elaboration so in the meantime have a read of her post, and have a peek at the rest of her blog too!

Amazing Tilda

While doing some research for a men's fashion film, i came across this video shot by Glen Luchford and styled by Katy England. Starring the inimitable Tilda Swinton - she is fast becoming a fashion favourite and muse to labels like Pringle of Scotland, whose video will be posted up soon. This film encapsulates a lot of the elements i am looking for in my own project - but featuring a man instead of a woman. It was actually quite surprising and timely to view this and see the same things that have been swimming in my thoughts this past week, the essence evoked, the narration, and the lingering shots. Beautiful. Tilda Swinton for Dazed Digital:

Pilati's perspective

This is a series of short films showcasing the Yves Saint Laurent Men's Collection for SS09. Filmed by Sarah Chatfield, in collaboration with YSL designer Stefano Pilati, it is an exploration of various notions of masculinity. Put together, the films follow a sort of non-sequiter narrative, depicting a different aspect of man in each. Combined with the collection, the films round out the season's story and allow the designs to be engaged with on a whole other level. There is a whole range of film techniques and styling to complement each part of the story, and tie in with the overarching theme of what it is to be a man today.

Fashion Film Frenzy

A Shaded View On Fashion Film is a touring festival showcasing new fashion films and promoting the increasing profile of this emerging genre. Hosted by Diane Pernet, fashion editor and blogger of A Shaded View On Fashion, it is now in its third year and gaining more and more popularity. This year, the film festival is on the move, with new film submissions required with each stop. Next up will be Paris, after first launching at the Mexico and Russia fashion weeks, the Hyères Fashion Festival April 30, then landing in Milan on May 25-30, with more destinations to be announced. In conjunction with the Milan event, Vogue Italia is looking for submissions for a short film based around the subject 'light' - if the due date wasn't so soon I would have had plenty of inspiration! Past films include work by Jeremy Scott, Ksubi, SHOWStudio, Alexander McQueen, Gareth Pugh and director Ridley Scott. Can't wait to see the new crop of exciting films, they are sure to be fantastic.

lenhenry.com

Boys Boys Boys

In celebration of explorations of masculinity, the male body and dress, man style, men everything, this week begins with a film for Dolce and Gabbana's SS10 mens collection. Filmed by Pierre Debusschere, styled by David St John-James, and starring british actor Robert Sheehan, who is due to appear in upcoming films Killing Bono and Season of the Witch, the film is inspired by the sequinned tailoring of the spring collection. Following on from my previous posts about light, this video plays with a range of sparking light sources from firecrackers to strobe lights and laser projections. Set to the music of Australian experimental rock band Pivot, it is an edgy piece, working well with the flashy light effects juxtaposed against the more dreamy twilight landscapes to communicate a dramatic opulence for Dolce and Gabbana. The film debuted on website Nowness, and also features in stills in Another Man magazine.

Dolce & Gabbana's Men's Spring 2010 Collection Trailer from Selectism on Vimeo.

Info courtesy of Nowness.com

Existential White

Excerpt from Daft Punk's movie Electroma

Exploring their own brand of humanity, the enigmatic Daft Punk boys created a full-length film journeying through their robot bodies as they attempt to transform themselves into humans. The excerpt here shows the robot characters enter a space-age looking facility to undergo their transformation - the camera techniques used in this scene is where it is interesting. The high-contrast, ultra white silhouettes work really well and is a technique that stays with you visually for its strong graphic quality. This video is a bit long, it's 10 minutes, but the main thing to take away from it is the cinematography, shot by one of the duo Thomas Bangalter, who apparently taught himself about film production in order to make this.

www.electroma.org
www.daftpunk.com

The Ephemera of White

This week is about white!

I came across the work of London based stylist Fred Butler a little while ago - it's often zany and colourful, a bit futuristic and there is a love of craft and unique handmade items. Her skills as a prop maker and her wonderful imagination go beyond. While on her website, i found a film called House of Organza, made for an art event in London in 2009, that really spoke to me of the beauty and transient nature of white.The soft ruffles of the fabric unfold and enclose in a way that is fragile and sensual at the same time and makes for a very beautiful film. The detail of the clothing is really done justice as well, giving the visual closeup while conveying the feel of the light, layered texture of the organza.

I wasn't able to find a video of the whole film to put on the blog, so posted here is a teaser of it, however you can view the actual film (which i recommend) on Fred Butler's website or here at DazedDigital.

Photos and video teaser shot by Mari Sarai
Styled by Kim Howells

images from coutequecoute

"HOUSE OF ORGANZA"' - Extended Video Teaser from PRICKIMAGE on Vimeo.

Lights, Camera, Lasers!

 

RE-BEL - Film by SHOWStudio

 Shot by Pierre Debusschere and styled by Rasharn Agyemang

Neon and futuristic, this is another exploration into light and a frenetic, expressive journey into a high-tech world. Suggestive of techno textiles, robots and new modes of existence, it is interesting for the atmosphere the work invokes. Shot as a precursor to a new magazine of the same name, the possible applications for film are so far reaching..

Stylists no. 3 - Michelle jank

ACNE Spring/Summer 2010 presentation - by Michelle Jank and Richard Brandon Cox
featuring art by Katerina Jebb at the Barbican Curve Gallery, London, music by Jonny Seymour and Paul Mac.

Originally from Perth, Michelle Jank now flits between Paris and Sydney, her work encompassing styling, her own jewellery and fashion designing, and now some video work. Making the clear link between art and fashion, this film for ACNE's 2010 summer range is set in a gallery and conveys a rather ethereal quality. I've also included a recent shoot she has styled with photographer Harold David, which is just beautiful for the monochromatic colour blocking (nude colours are so hot right now!) and the florally constructed eye mask. Dry australian bush meets mademoiselle.

 

 

http://linleeloves.blogspot.com/2010/02/when-michelle-jank-met-harold-david.html

Gareth Pugh AW09 - ShowStudio film by Ruth Hogben

This film was shot as a showcase of Gareth Pugh's 09 collection - as an alternative to the usual runway showing it was a veritable cinematic experience conveying the essence and drama that prevails in his work. Directed by Ruth Hogben, styled by Katie Shillingford, it turned the idea of a fashion show on its head. For designs such as Pugh's it seems almost natural to take the clothing into the cinematic, where sound and visuals can really work with the garments. Silhouette and movement here are taken to another level with the visual effects and mirroring.

SHOWstudio: Gareth Pugh A/W'09 by Ruth Hogben from SHOWstudio on Vimeo.