Reflections on the FASHIONCLASH Fashion Film Festival

The first edition of FASHIONCLASH FASHION FILM FESTIVAL took place from 3 – 5 November in Maastricht.

FFFF was the first international film festival in the Netherlands dedicated to fashion film.
The 3-day program contained screenings with a selection of more than 60 short fashion films from all over the world. The program kicked off with several avant premieres at de Bijenkorf, followed by the screening of the ‘We Margiela’ documentary. On Saturday, there were inspiring workshops by Canon and Pascal Baillien, various screenings and award ceremony at Lumière Cinema. In addition, an exhibition was presented in cooperation with AKATAK Studio.

FFFF showcased both emerging and established international filmmakers and designers who experiment with the genre. The program contained several premiere screenings such as ‘Kill Your Darlings’ by Maarten van Mulken and Pascal Baillien, Dance a Measure by Studio Selvedge & Project Sally Maastricht and MARTAN by Daan Groot and Martan. Being the first fashion film festival in the Netherlands, there was a special focus on Dutch fashion films.

By organizing this festival, FASHIONCLASH concluded that this genre is rather unknown in the Netherlands, not only to the broad audience but also to the professionals. There is so much to be gained. Projects like the Act! Cut! Play, workshops and meetings around the genre are very important to share knowledge and especially to stimulate new collaborations. The film as a medium lends itself very well to interdisciplinary collaborations, and considering the fact that there are many high-profile academies in the Netherlands the potential is there for grabs.

During the festival Amsterdam Fashion Tv live streamed interviews with speakers, participants and jury. A selection of short interviews and reflections can be seen here: youtube.com/user/Amsterdamfashiontv/videos

The level of the selection is high, a very varied selection from documentary style movies to much more visual feasts; sometimes narrative based, sometimes purely visual. What makes this festival special is the blend between conceptual relevance and the fact that it is very international. The openness of the festival is something that FC started in the first place. It is inclusive to people from different backgrounds and a platform for young talents. The film festival is an extension of what FC stands for.' - Philippe Pourhashemi.

The intimate structure of the festival seemed an ideal format for interaction between the public, professionals and participants. In addition to the screenings there was room to talk about the films, but it was noticeable that the 'genre' was mainly discussed. The members of the audience (professionals and general audience) where engaging in the conversations such as What is a fashion film? What are the possibilities of the fashion film? The composition of the film showed how unthinkable many possibilities the genre encompasses. Between the conversations with the audience we concluded huge interest in the medium, in particular young designers and theatre makers seem willing and ready to take on. The challenge is, how do you start a fashion film project? In that matter, making a fashion film is not very much different from making a film in general. As a platform, we felt the importance to provide the stage for 'fashion film' in the Netherlands. Already the questions was asked when the next edition will take place?

Specifically, the program consisted of two Fashion Talks, both moderated by Niccolo Montanari, an international expert in the field of fashion film. Niccolo travels around the world and visits fashion film festival, advises filmmakers and brands. Both talks were accessible to a wide audience.

One of the highlights of the festival was the State of Fashion Film Talk . An inspiring discussion on the state of the fashion film, experiences and future speculations. The speakers of the panel where Kathryn Ferguson (film maker, director), Marie Schuller (film maker, photographer), Raquel Couceiro (head of fashion film Showstudio), Ditte Marie Lund (director Copenhagen Fashion Film Festival).

It was striking that the conclusion was unanimous that the genre can not be captured in a definition and a specific format and that this fact makes the genre so interesting and attractive. The technological developments of the internet, digitalisation of fashion and the development of the film industry go hand in hand with developments in fashion. The fashion film is the perfect genre to give shape to these developments.
'It is exiting time for film directors, a selection of which we have seen at FFFF, we see especially that the young European fashion film that is pushing the genre. Lot of fashion films are copying the format, I am looking for ways to push the boundaries.' - Marie Schuller

'As the internet changes, fashion film will change. New techologies will play a large part and the genre is changing rapidly alongside the technological developments.' - Kathryn Ferguson

'In addition to the screening there were interesting panels. I especially enjoyed the panel moderated by Niccolo Montanari with Kathryn Ferguson, Ditte Mariel, Marie Schuller, Raquel Couceiro on the state of fashion film and how you define a fashion film, in the end…you don’t. - Diane Pernet


Niccolo Montanari also modertated the Act! Cut! Play! Screening and talk.
Act! Cut! Play! is an interdisciplinary talent development project with the ambition to lift the quality of fashion films to a higher level. Four teams existing of a designer, theatre maker, and filmmaker were challenged to work together to investigate the possibilities and boundaries of their disciplines and the provided ‘format’ of the fashion film.

'This was a great first edition, a great beginning. The genre has developed over the last 5 to 10 years. FASHIONCLASH has given the genre its own and unique spin.'- Niccolò Montanari

Read Niccolo's reflections on Act!Cut!Play! project: http://fashionclash-festival.blogspot.nl/2018/02/being-aware-fashion-film-retrospective.html

Award Ceremony
On Saturday evening the award ceremony concluded the festival with the announcement of nominees and winners. The winners were decided by the jury panel members; Diane Pernet (ASVOFF), Leendert Sonnevelt (editor-in-chief, Glamcult), Marcel Schlutt (editor-in-chief KALTBLUT Magazine), Michael Daks (photographer, director), Richard Dols (director DocFest).

And the winners were:
- Best Fashion Film: A Hommage to David Bowie in Sound and Vision, CANADA
- Best Dutch Fashion Film: iii, Femke Huurdeman, Suze Milius, Marie-Sophie Beinke
- Best Emerging Talent: Parallel Pyramid Platform, Daniel van Hauten, Studio Dennis Vanderbroeck, Emmanuel A. Ryngaert
- FASHIONCLASH One-to-watch: Burning Oceans into Deserts, Emma Westenberg for Hardeman '

Being Aware - A Fashion Film Retrospective

Being Aware - A Fashion Film Retrospective 
By Niccolò Montanari - Fashion Film and Video Consultant

 “Agreeing on a vision does not mean compromising on quality in order to please everyone.”"

Over the past ten years we have seen a rapid growth of platforms catering for the fashion film genre. This term seems to have brought together all that video content with a strong emphasis on style that goes beyond being a moving lookbook or a behind-the-scenes.
Though people may differ in defining fashion film, what makes this genre is different creative industries working together, such as fashion, film and adver- tising, to deliver emotionally compelling and engaging video content.

 
Act! Cut! Play! was a project conceived as a way to develop and explore the relationship between several creative disciplines. “Fashion, film and theatre have come together on equal terms to deliver examples of how we can raise the quality and creativity of the fashion film genre”, explained Branko Popovic, FASHIONCLASH co-director and Act! Cut! Play! partner. Three teams formed by a fashion designer, a film director and theatre maker produced three unique pieces of video content that challenge the traditional approach to fashion film. Here’s what I have learnt after speaking to them.
Each film handled the portrayal of fashion in a completely different way. Both Your Approval Is Not Essential as well as The Parallel Pyramid Platform have fashion play an almost supporting role. The former places narrative at the centre, with fashion there to impact visually on the storyline. The latter on the other hand looks at fashion not as clothing, but rather as a tool to define, divide and group people together. The third film - iii - fits more within the traditional view of fashion film. Strong aesthetics play the leading role here, with narrative helping shape the message behind the film. Although the result is three very different fashion films, there are some shared key takeaways from the teams involved.
Though the definition of fashion film is yet to be agreed on, the overall vision of what is being produced should be aligned from the very beginning. The focus should be on deciding how the different disciplines interact with one another, whether any of them take the lead or are there to support and provide visual impact to the narrative. The aim isn’t to stand out as the main discipline, but rather to determine the correct formula to bring the vision to life.

Niccolò Montanari

Agreeing on a vision does not mean compromising on quality in order to please everyone. It means understanding the fundamental creative and visual principles shared by all and building from there. Being able to trust in each other’s talent and having an awareness of how each discipline works allows for the contributors to think differently about their own way of working. As a result, this will lead to a unique and innovative production that will most likely not fit within a conventional film category. Understanding where the story lies is a vital step in the creation of valuable video content. With film generally functioning as a storytelling canvas, disciplines such as fashion and theatre become the tools to bring the story to life. Even though each discipline comes with its own narrative, the aim is to work backwards and transport the overall agreed narrative into each discipline and work with it accordingly. Fashion film is a young genre, for which rules are yet to be defined.

Act! Cut! Play! succeeded in having us explore and question our general approach to fashion film. Rather than films about fashion, adverts or a series of striking visuals, we have seen what can be achie - ved by approaching fashion film as the union of several creative disciplines. This fresh perspective should be used as a stepping stone to explore this genre through other creatives fields, such as music, dance, illustration or architecture. By agreeing on a vision, and gaining a deeper understanding of each other’s as well as our own expertise, fashion film has the potential to become an excellent tool for the creative industries looking to innovate with video content in the digital era.

The State of Fashion Film Talk

The State of Fashion Film Talk at FASHIONCLASH Fashion Film Festival

A panel consisting of renowned fashion film makers and directors such as Raquel Couceiro, Marie Schuller, Kathryn Ferguson and Ditte Marie Lund.
Niccolo Montanari is in conversation with these professionals, to get to know more about the fashion film industry and the state of the art of the fashion film. 

Talk / Room 2 / 4 Nov. / 16:00 - 17:30 / Runtime: 90 min 
Prize €9,00. Find your tickets here 

The State of the Art of the Fashion Film
Fashion and film have been hand in hand and influencing each other for decades, for example in classics like Breakfast at Tiffany's or more recent examples like A Single Man or The Neon Demon. More and more the fashion film has become an essential part of the communication strategy of each fashion brand. In this era of e-culture, it is one of the best ways to capture a fashion narrative and to reach a wide audience via online platforms and media. Challenging the norms of traditional advertising techniques and moving fashion shoots, designers have embraced film as an art form and have moved away the use of mundane product placement.

Film as a medium is an incredible discipline to tell stories. Nowadays, the genre is highly on the rise and also embraced by major directors such as Wes Anderson, Miranda July, Martin Scorsese and David Lynch who are engaged in making fashion films. In less than ten years the fashion film broke from the off schedules through to the core of the fashion industry. The fashion films are no longer used as a means of communication but also presented as independent artworks. Big brands like Dior, Chanel, Prada and Gucci are spending loads of money on editorial campaigns and fashion films.

Undoubtingly the fashion film is here to stay. The industry has to look further than just clothes and photography. Technological developments have made fashion films more accessible; for instance, you can now film a fashion film entirely on your phone.

What is the future of fashion film and the state of the art of fashion film? 
With the FASHIONCLASH Fashion Film Festival we invite you to discover the beauty and the potential of fashion film.

Award Ceremoy and Screening at FFFF

Ethetics Episode 2: Mdingi Coutts, Amber Moelter at Noir Tribe

The Award Ceremony & Screening at FASHIONCLASH Fashion Film Festival 

The award ceremony is a celebration of the art of fashion film with a must-see selection of high-profile international fashion films that have been noticed and critically acclaimed. In addition, two brand new local fashion films will be presented. Right after the screening nominees and winners will be announced by the jury.

Meet the jury
Diane Pernet (founder ASVOFF, fashion critic)
Michael Daks (director and photographer)
Richard Dols (filmmaker and director at DocFest)
Leendert Sonnevelt (editor-in-chief Glamcult Magazine)
Marcel Schlutt (editor-in-chief KALTBLUT Magazine)

jury panel

Awards
-  Best Emerging Talent, price: € 500
-  Best Dutch Fashion Film, price: Canon EOS 77D
-  Best Film, price: € 1500
-  FASHIONCLASH One-To-Watch price: € 500

Award Ceremony + Screenings (incl. two premieres) 
Date: 4-11-2017
Time: 22:00 – 23:30
Runtime: 00:90:00
Price: €17,50 get your tickets

More information about FFFF: www.fashionclash.nl

PROGRAM
Program starts with two premieres, following 11 international must-see fashion film. After the screening the nominees and winners will be announced.

Kill Your Darlings – Maarten van Mulken, directed by Pascal Baillien, 00:05:00, premiere

Fashion is Dead. Maarten van Mulken’s collection is a middle finger against this statement. ‘Kill your Darlings’ is a movie about the life and death of the things you love. It’s a surreal impression of a girl and her fears, her sins, her joy and her hopes. It’s a moment between life and death, where she asks herself why she had to die

Dance a measure, Studio Selvedge & Sally Dansgezelschap Maastricht, 00:04:00, premiere

‘Dance a measure’ is een fashion/dans film geïnspireerd op het gedicht van Neil Gaimen, met kleding van ontwerpster Lena Berens en tas van ontwerper Milan Palma.

Fashion Films in the Loop

FASHIONCLASH Fashion Film Festivals (FFFF) presents fashion films in The Loop at Lumière Cinema Maastricht.

MYTH, Manfre & Iker Iturria

The Loop shows an international selection of fashion films from both emerging and established film makers and brands. An eclectic mix that shows the potential and variety of the fashion film as a medium.

The Loop 
Date: 4-11-2017
Time: 13:30 – 18:00
Runtime: 00:47:58
Price: free entrance

More information about FFFF: www.fashionclash.nl

Fashion Makes Sense Fashion Film

Dressed for Protest: The Women’s March and Beyond, Glamour Magazine
by Amber Moelter at Noir Tribe

FASHIONCLASH Fashion Film Festival presents Fashion Makes Sense Fashion Films

A selection of short fashion films and documentaries that are showing that fashion can make sense.

FASHIONCLASH strongly believes that the art of fashion can stimulate critical debate about controversial issues in our society. Fashion film as a medium is an incredible discipline to tell stories, to address controversial issues, to create a dialogue and connect disciplines.

Fashion Makes Sense Fashion Films
Date: 4-11-2017
Time: 20:30 – 21:30
Runtime: 00:50:42
Price: €9,00 get your tickets

FFFF Screening at Thiessen Wijnkoopers

FASHIONCLASH Fashion Film Festival @ Thiessen Wijnkoopers presents, a selection of fashion films co-produced by FASHIONCLASH.

still from Aspire, a film in collaboration with Strictua

FFFF Screening @ Thiessen Wijnkoopers
Date: 3 – 5. 11-2017
Time: 10:00 – 18:00
Runtime: 00:13:15
Price: free entrance
Address: Thiessen Wijnkoopers, Grote Gracht 18 in Maastricht

Tickets & Info: www.fashionclash.nl

Dutch Fashion Films at FASHIONCLASH Fashion Film Festival

FASHIONCLASH Fashion Film Festival 2017 presents

A selection of fashion films made in the Netherlands by emerging Dutch film makers and fashion designers.

Dutch Fashion Films – Zaal 1
Date: 4-11-2017
Time: 19:00 – 20:00
Runtime: 00:49:27
 Price: €9,00 get your tickets

www.fashionclash.nl

‘ES TUT MIR LEID!, Studio M.E.N. , Annie van Noortwijk, 00:01:55, premiere.

‘Es tut mir leid’ features the debut collection of the new designer Studio MEN. The designers drew inspiration from rugby and played with gender. The models in the film are alienating, and at different locations they try to make contact with the audience. Body language, intense gazes and a dynamic edit and music score, take you to the desolate green fields where the collection of MEN sets foot on earth for the first time.

SOLUM, Luca Tichelman in association with Kim Karssen, 00:10:40, premiere 

A video portrait of two people in different tableaux vivants, raising feelings of stilled alienation. They seek communication, a conversation. At times share one world, but a conversation seems too complex, they stay ” together alone ”. Solo, SOLUM.

Debora Dax - 6 OBJECTS - Projecting Identity Expressions

FASHIONCLASH Fashion Film Festival presents short documentary '6 OBJECTS - Projecting Identity Expressions' by Debora Dax.

The artistic documentary (10min) gives the audience insight into the experiences, wishes and needs of people who consciously express their identity and enables questions about how we experience, judge or define identity.

Six people with various backgrounds talk about their identity using the most meaningful object for their transformation and/or gender expression. The characters do not come into view, but express their identity through this object by means of another's body. The artistic documentary offers the audience a different perspective on identity.

A concept developed and directed by Debora Dax.

You can see this documentary 3 and 4 November at the Exhibition at Lumière Cinema. 

www.deboradax.com

Moving Campaigns FASHIONCLASH Fashion Film Festival

FFFF presents Moving Campaign Fashion Films

Increasingly designers and brands are using the fashion film as a medium to present their collections. These films are moving campaigns and lively lookbooks that express the designers vision and aesthetic.

Moving Campaign Film 
Date: 3-11-2017 Time: 21:00 – 01:00
Date: 4-11-2017 Time: 11:00 – 01:00
Runtime: 00:23:15
Price: free entrance
Location: Lumière Cinema (in the exhibition area)

Canon Workshop - FASHIONCLASH Fashion Film Festival

Canon Workshop - Filmen met een spiegelreflexcamera 

Het is nog niet zo lang geleden dat er alleen gefilmd werd met film- en videocamera’s. Met de komst van de Canon EOS 5D Mark II in 2008 veranderde dat. Met deze camera konden hoge kwaliteit films gemaakt worden.
Spiegelreflexcamera’s zoals de Canon EOS 5D serie (meest recente model is de EOS 5D Mark IV) hebben voor film de belangrijke eigenschap dat ze lichtgevoelig zijn.

Daarnaast beschikken deze camera’s over een grote sensor waardoor met kleine scherptediepte gewerkt kan worden (belangrijk voor focus pulls). Een ander groot voordeel van het filmen met een spiegelreflexcamera betreft het grote assortiment foto-objectieven waaruit gekozen kan worden, waaronder speciale macro- en tilt-shift objectieven.

Het filmen met een spiegelreflexcamera kent echter wel enkele kleine uitdagingen zoals:
- Audio: welke microfoon kun je het beste gebruiken en hoe leg je audio vast;
- Scherpstelling: hoe zie ik wat ik doe en wat kan ik aan de camera overlaten;
- Rigging: statief, rig of gewoon uit de hand filmen;
- Objectieven: welk objectief gebruik je voor wat;
- Intern/extern opnemen, opslagmedia en codecs.



Canon zal tijdens de speciale workshop nader op bovenstaande zaken ingaan. In het praktijkgedeelte zullen twee verschillende situaties gecreëerd worden zodat de deelnemers ook zelf aan de slag kunnen met hun eigen (EOS) camera. En heb je bovenstaande zaken eenmaal onder de knie, dan gaat er een filmwereld voor je open.

De Workshop ‘Filmen met een spiegelreflexcamera’ wordt gegeven door Jip Barth, Product Intelligence Consultant bij Canon. Jip geeft vanaf 2008 aan uiteenlopend publiek uitleg over de techniek van het filmen met EOS-camera’s.

Wil je meedoen?

Canon Workshop vindt plaats 4 november van 10:30 - 13:30 bij Lumière Cinema Maastricht.
Deelname is gratis maar er is beperkt plek. Stuur bij een aanmelding een korte motivatie en C.V. Daarbij is het aan te raden om je eigen EOS camera mee te nemen.
Je kan je aanmelden door een mail te sturen naar ffff@fashionclash.nl.

www.canon.nl

We Margiela - FASHIONCLASH Fashion Film Festival

FASHIONCLASH Fashion Film Festival presents We Margiela – The Documentary, as the opening film on 3 November.

Date: 3-11-2017
Time: 21:30 – 23:00
Runtime: 00:99:00
Tickets: here
Location: Lumière Cinema

Mint film office, the Netherlands, 2017, English subtitled.






We Margiela tells the untold story of the enigmatic and singular fashion house Maison Martin Margiela. For the first time, co-founder Jenny Meirens and the members of the creative team that stood at the heart of the house talk extensively about the creative processes and unique philosophies of the Maison. Their stories, told through detailed and intimate interviews, offer unprecedented insight into the genesis and unravelling of one of the most influential fashion houses of our time. The film investigates the legacy of Margiela and its relevance for fashion and authorship today.

http://wemargiela.com

About 'mint film office'

mint film office is a documentary production company based in Rotterdam. They're a collective of people that aim to make that offer compelling stories that are visually challenging and creative. At the same time, they went their films to reflect on traditions in documentary film-making and question received ideas on storytelling and visualisation.

MASTERCLASS Pascal Baillien - FASHIONCLASH Fashion Film Festival

MASTERCLASS Directing 
PASCAL BAILLIEN

4 November
11:30 - 13:00
Lumière Cinema

In this masterclass, Pascal Baillien will share his 20 years of experience as a director in fashion film, music promos and corporate film. 

Are you interested to take part?

- You can sign-up by sending an e-mail to ffff@fashionclash.nl. 

- Please attach a motivation letter and C.V.
- There are limited number of places available. 

About  Pascal Baillien

Pascal Baillien is a director, writer and producer, based in Belgium and Los Angeles, USA. His strong and cinematic way of directing and more than 20 years of experience in filmmaking, make him a multi-dimensional storyteller. With his visually driven campaigns for clients in the fashion, music and corporate industry, and use of a wide range of techniques, he is able to create powerful images. He worked with high end talents such as Barbara Palvin, Charlie Sheen, Jean Claude Vandamme, Kev Adams and many more.
www.baillien.tv

Kill Your Darlings - Maarten van Mulken
During FASHIONCLASH Festival 2017 Pascal presented the RADIKAL FASHION FILM AWARD. The winner of this award, designer Maarten van Mulken made a fashion film with Pascal. 'Kill Your Darlings' will premiere during FASHIONCLASH Fashion Film Festival.

About FASHIONCLASH Fashion Film Festival 

First international film festival in the Netherlands focussing on the ‘fashion film’ genre.

FFFF showcases both emerging and established filmmakers and designers who experiment with the genre. The program contains screenings with a selection of more than 60 short fashion films from all over the world. A unique opportunity to get inspired by the world of fashion film, discover new talents and learn more about the state of the art of fashion film.

More information: www.fashionclash.nl

FASHIONCLASH Fashion Film Festival 2017

FFFF – FASHIONCLASH Fashion Film Festival 
3 & 4 November 2017 
Maastricht

FFFF is the first international film festival in the Netherlands that is focussing on the ‘fashion film’ genre. The program consists of short fashion film screenings, masterclasses, workshops, cross-over performances, installations and fashion talks.
FFFF Festival aims to offer a stage to emerging and filmmakers and designers who experiment with the genre and is also a platform for debate about The State of The Art of this rising film genre. The program consists of a curated selection of the relevant fashion films from the past few years and new films. The festival curatorial special focus themes are Dutch Fashion Film and Fashion Makes Sense (films that matter). Furthermore on program is the Act! Cut! Play! project screening and recap talk.
FFFF is accessible festival for everyone and a unique opportunity to get inspired by the world of fashion, discover new fashion and film talents and to enjoy the city of Maastricht. Festival program is accessible via ticket sale and partly for free. The festival program will take place at various locations in Maastricht, including venues such as Lumière Cinema, de Bijenkorf and Thiessen Wijnkoopers.

OPEN CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS FOR FFFF 2017

FASHIONCLASH invites all emerging and established filmmakers, designers and brands to submit their work via the Open Call. By entering the FFFF you have a chance to be selected for one of the official program screenings and also to be shortlisted for the FFFF Awards.
FFFF contains an award ceremony where several prizes will be announced by the appointed jury.
– Best Fashion Film: €1.500,00
– Best International Emerging Talent: € 500,00
– Best National Emerging Talent: Canon camera awarded by Canon Netherlands

You want to submit your film/films?
All films must be submitted online via FilmFreeway only. Find out the conditions and application: FASHIONCLASHFashionFilmFestival

More info: www.fashionclash.nl

Maarten van Mulken wins RADIKAL FASHION FILM AWARD 2017

Maastricht based designer Maarten van Mulken won the RADIKAL FASHION FILM AWARD 2017 by Pascal Baillien

Radikal Film is an experienced creative film studio of director Pascal Baillien. Recently nominated for the Berlin Fashion Film festival and very experienced in productions, that bring music, art and fashion together, he has a strong ability and vision to translate stories into film.

Together with Maarten they will create a new fashion film that will premiere in November during the FFFF - FASHIONCLASH Fashion Film Festival (3 and 4 November 2017 in Maastricht).

www.radikalfilm.tv

Maarten van Mulken show at FASHIONCLASH Festival 2017, photography Team Peter Stigter

ASVOFF9

'The Parallel Pyramid Platform', one of the films from our project Act!Cut!Play! is part of the official 'in competition' selection of the ASVOFF9.

'The Parallel Pyramid Platform' is a fashion film by Studio Dennis Vanderbroeck (performer), Daniel van Hauten (filmmaker, Wedovoodoo.Tv) and Emmanuel A. Ryngaert (fashion designer).

The international launch of ASVOFF 9 will be held in Sofia at Nu Boyana Film Studios June 9-11.
For the 9th edition of A Shaded View on Fashion Film [ASVOFF], founder and director of the festival Diane Pernet has invited her prestigious guests to ‘the Hollywood of the Balkans’, Nu Boyana Film Studios in Sofia, Bulgaria. Guests will be arriving from New York City, Los Angeles, Beijing, London, Berlin, Barcelona and of course, Paris.

Over three-days, more than 100 films will be screened at ASVOFF, the world’s first film festival dedicated to fashion, style and beauty. In addition to the 70 incompetition films there are 2 out of competition films, 5 documentaries, 12 student films, 13 wearable technology fashion films and 5 master classes during the festivities from June 9-11, 2017.

crew of 'The Parallel Pyramid Platform', photo by Joris Hilterman

ASVOFF 9 will bring together cinematic greats and maverick directors in competition. They include Sean Baker, best known for his independent feature films Tangerine, Prince of Broadway, Take Out and Starlet; Ivan Olita; Tim Yip, the director that won two awards for art direction, sets and costumes for Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger; Ellen von Unwerth; Emir Erlap and Daniel Askill. RANKIN’s tongue and cheek documentary about fashion and the 24 year-old artist, photographer and filmmaker Petra Collins behind the film Gucci Dreamscape will be sure to entertain.

With an ability to inhabit both arthouse and blockbuster productions, an exceptional group of acting talent feature in this year's selection including Kristen Stewart, Rossy de Palma, Emmanuelle Seigner, Waris, Dita Von Teese and Lady Gaga. Some of the many fashion brands which have commissioned films or feature in the ASVOFF 9 programme are: Gucci, Chanel, Dior, Kenzo, Yohji Yamamoto Hermes, Prada and many more. The festival offers a unique opportunity to discover both established and emerging brands and directors.


ASVOFF9 - This edition we take you where you've never been. from Diane Pernet's ASVOFF on Vimeo.

One of the many attractions during the festival will be a 48-minute homage to Bruce Weber, a living legend whose creative instincts have defined whole eras of photography, fashion and cinema over the course of his four-decade-long career. Meanwhile, the inimitable artist and wife of Alejandro Jodorowsky, Pascale Montandon-Jodorowsky will take us behind the scenes with a fly on the wall documentary of the making of Jodorowsky’s last film, Endless Poetry.

FASHIONCLASH Chengdu 2017: Future of Fashion

FASHIONCLASH, jointly with Chinese partners Punch Me, Cross Lab and Dutch-Chinese organization About Asia presented “FASHIONCLASH 2017: Future of Fashion” in Chengdu (China).
The opening weekend contained several performances by Lotte Milder, Mami Izumi, Anthony van Gog and Milou van Duijnhoven. The scenography and art direction is created in cooperation with Studio Dennis Vanderbroeck.

After a successful first exhibition of FASHIONCLASH in China (2015), as part of an exchange programme between the cities of Maastricht (Netherlands) and Chengdu (Sichuan, China), FASHIONCLASH now presented a larger, more comprehensive, and complete story at the newly opened “Future Center” in downtown Chengdu from 24 March until 23 April.

‘Future of Fashion’ is a multidisciplinary exhibition composed out of work of more than 30 emerging designers and artists from The Netherlands and Flanders. The exhibition represents a broad spectrum of fashion design aesthetics, visions and various approaches to fashion. The presented work stands out for its concept, experimental material and textile, innovative shapes and tailoring. In addition to fashion the exhibition features screenings of interdisciplinary fashion films and performances.

Among the participants there are award winning designers like Marlou Breuls and Nikki Duijst, avant-garde designers’ collective Das Leben Am Haverkamp and promising theatre makers like Lotte Milder and Milou van Duijnhoven. The selection of participants is an eclectic mix of designers that graduated from the top schools such as AMFI, ArtEZ Arnhem, MAFAD, KABK, Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp and Theatre Academy Maastricht. FASHIONCLASH gathered a team of theatre performers that will bring the exhibition alive. Studio Dennis Vanderbroeck created an overall concept that serves as a platform to connect the physical space of the exhibition with performance space and engage interactions with the audience.

Designers/artists/performers:
Designers: Ailene van Elmpt, By vanharten, Annewil Ravensbergen, Anouk van Klaveren, Bluedenîmes, Christa van der Meer, Studio Dennis Vanderbroeck, Dewi Bekker, Ebby Port, NONOCAKE by Elke van Zuylen, Esther Haamke, Evie Cowan, Gino Anthonisse, Isis Elsa Fee, J.R. Sypkens Smit, Jivika Biervliet, Jorieke Tenbergen, JUDITHvanvliet, Kaho To, LAU – by Laura Verdonk, Lisa Konno & Karin Vlug, Maarten van Mulken, Christina Albrecht & Marina van Dieren, STOP by Marketa Martiskova, Marlou Breuls, Nikki Duijst, Draga Dina, Peer Cox, Rosanne van Wijk, Sanna Schubert, Steven Vanderyt, Yanaika Nuyts

Fashion films: ‘Time’ (Couzin and Maarten van Mulken) + Act! Cut! Play! films
‘Your approval is not essential’ (Scheuller de Waal, Jelena Kostić, Leen Michiels), ‘The Parallel Pyramid Platform’ (Studio Dennis Vanderbroeck, Daniel van Hauten, Emmanuel A. Ryngaert, ‘iii’ (Suze Milius, Marie-Sophie Beinke, Femke Huurdeman)

Performance and Scenography
Especially for the ‘Future of Fashion’, FASHIONCLASH gathered a team of theatre performers to develop performances that will bring the exhibition to life. Studio Dennis Vanderbroeck created an overall concept that serves as a platform to connect the physical space of the exhibition with performance space and engage interactions with the audience.
“The White Curtain Labyrinth” scenography concept designed by Studio Dennis Vanderbroeck for Future of Fashion, explores the idea of perceiving from a fixed perspective. On the one hand creating a highly aesthetic framed space with using white pleated curtains and on the other hand visualizing a playful deconstructed space. Embracing the existing space and translating it to a performative spatial exhibition.

More information: http://fashionclash.nl

Act! Cut! Play! at Motel Mozaique Festival

Act! Cut! Play! fashion films screened at
Motel Mozaique Festival in Rotterdam!

Act! Cut! Play! in Antwerp

On 9th of February Act! Cut! Play! was presented in Antwerp at De Studio. In Addition to the screenings of the films, there was an installation of the costumes from ‘The Parallel Pyramid Platform’ and designer Marie-Sophie Beinke from the film 'iii'.

Take a look at images below, photography Ian Segal.

ACT! CUT! PLAY! is a interdisciplinary project that aims to bring the quality of fashion film to the next level by creating a prominent role for the performing arts (theater/dance maker). Three teams based of Dutch and Flemish theatermakers, designers and filmmakers where challenged to jointly investigate the possibilities and limits of their disciplines within the genre of ‘fashion film’. Starting with the stories of theater/dance makers three short fashion films are developed and showcased internationally in both the fashion, theater and art world.

Three films & Participants

Film: ‘Your approval is not essential’ Scheuller de Waal (fashion designers – Philipp Schueller en Rens de Waal) Jelena Kostić (choreographer) Leen Michiels (filmmaker, MosoTheCat)

Film: ‘The Parallel Pyramid Platform’ Studio Dennis Vanderbroeck (performer) Daniel van Hauten (filmmaker, Wedovoodoo.Tv) Emmanuel A. Ryngaert (modeontwerper)

Film ‘iii’ Suze Milius (theatremaker, House Crying Yellow Tears) Marie-Sophie Beinke (fashion designer) Femke Huurdeman (filmmaker)

More information: http://fashionclash.nl/act-cut-play/

ACT! CUT! PLAY! on display in Amsterdam

ACT! CUT! PLAY! was presented in Amsterdam during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Amsterdam on Saturday 28th go January. The screening took place at Westerunie venue in the framework of the official schedule of the fashion week. Aynouk Tan moderated the event with a contextual introduction  on the fashion film and a Q&A with the makers.
In addition there was an presentation at Vlaams Cultuurhuis De Brakke Grond from 26th until 29th of January.
Next screening is organized by MoMu Antwerp at De Studio in Antwerp on February 9th. -> info.

ACT! CUT! PLAY! is a interdisciplinary project that aims to bring the quality of fashion film to the next level by creating a prominent role for the performing arts (theater/dance maker). Three teams based of Dutch and Flemish theatermakers, designers and filmmakers where challenged to jointly investigate the possibilities and limits of their disciplines within the genre of ‘fashion film’. Starting with the stories of theater/dance makers three short fashion films are developed and showcased internationally in both the fashion, theater and art world.

Three films & Participants
Team 1 – Film: ‘Your approval is not essential’ Scheuller de Waal (fashion designers – Philipp
Schueller en Rens de Waal) Jelena Kostić (choreographer) Leen Michiels (filmmaker, MosoTheCat)

Team 2 – Film: ‘The Parallel Pyramid Platform’ Studio Dennis Vanderbroeck (performer) Daniel van Hauten (filmmaker, Wedovoodoo.Tv) Emmanuel A. Ryngaert (modeontwerper)

Team 3 – Film ‘iii’ Suze Milius (theatremaker, House Crying Yellow Tears) Marie-Sophie Beinke (fashion designer) Femke Huurdeman (filmmaker)


More information: http://fashionclash.nl/act-cut-play/