The San Francisco Fashion Film Festival, aka the FashFilmFest, will take place in the Spring of 2012 at the Roxie Theatre and feature a day of screenings (unexpected titles as well as time-honored classics) and panels. To raise funds, co-founders and style bloggers Adelle McElveen (Fashionista Lab), Kimara Mitchell (J’Adore Couture)and Annie Wilson (Poetic & Chic), have launched a Kickstarter campaign through January, 2012, offering multiple tiers of exclusive rewards for Kickstarter donors (go go go!). The festival will accept independent film submissions through February 3 and brand sponsorships are available.
As a fellow fashion film enthusiast (is there any way to say that without sounding snooty?), I asked the ladies to please share their favorite fashion films of 2011. They one-upped me, each sharing a favorite recent film as well as their favorite fashion films of all time.
Favorite recent fashion film: Sophia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette. It came out in 2006 but I didn’t watch it until 2011. I love that she made period costume relevant. For me, when looking at photos of people from another era it’s so easy to disassociate them from the humanity they had in their time, and to observe instead of empathize or relate. And with Marie Antoinette specifically, history has villainized her, but Sophia Coppola showed me things I could relate to; for example, I could connect with the scenes when Marie Antoinette is playing around with new hair styles and trying on shoes with her friends. And even though she squandered France’s money during a time of war, I bet there were women who still wanted to emulate her style.
Favorite fashion film of all time: Clueless, for two reasons. One: that closet. Amazeballs. Two: it was an early influence on my personal style evolution. I was 11 or 12 when Clueless came out, and afterwards I started wearing endless plaid (fashion plaid, not lumberjack plaid), knee-high socks, mary jane’s, and mini-backpacks. It was the first time that I got inspired and started to make a look my own.
Favorite recent fashion film: A Single Man, from first-time director but long-time designer Tom Ford. It’s clear that Ford can easily translate this vision for clothes onto the screen. not only does the film have fabulous costumes (done by Ford and Arianne Phillips), it also has amazing art direction and cinematography. It’s a perfect snapshot into sixties American style. From George Falconer’s drawer of perfectly starched white shirts to Kenny (Nicholas Hoult) in a fuzzy mohair sweater and Charley’s (Julianne Moore) mod eyeliner, big baubles and LBD, it’s a visual feast for the eyes.
Favorite fashion film of all time: To Catch a Thief: Growing up in Philadelphia, I was well aware of Grace Kelly and her rise to become a Hollywood royalty then a princess. I used to watch her movies with my grandmother, and To Catch a Thief was our favorite. How can you resist Kelly, dressed by Edith Head, who looked impeccable day (white sunglasses with an elegant black malliot) and night (the robin’s egg blue gown without a speck of jewelry or adornment). And Cary Grant was no slouch (in his own clothes!).
Favorite recent fashion film:2011 – Midnight in Paris – I loved Marion Cotillard’s flapper gowns and found that all of the “Paris past” sequences were styled beautifully.
Favorite fashion film of all time:Of course, this title may change tomorow, but for today I’ll pick The Age of Innocence. Made in 1993 about Edith Wharton’s New York City in the 1870s, this film is so incredibly detailed and colorful. The clothing and accessories all communicate so much about each character, what they want, and how they maneuver in society. It’s a beautiful film with no element of the era overlooked.
