Marchesa Designer To Direct Short Film

By susan_grace on August 16, 2012 • ( 0 )

Sienna Miller in Marchesa on Vogue’s September cover in 2007

The Marchesa line has been popular with celebrities and the obscenely wealthy since it’s debut in 2004, with floaty, goddess-inspired dresses that are perfect for red carpet appearances. Collaborators Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig have seen their designs on the cover of Vogue’s September issue, the front page of the New York Times, and worn by famous actresses Penelope Cruz, Blake Lively, Jennifer Lopez, Kate Hudson, Cameron Diaz, Halle Berry, Eva Longoria, and Olivia Wilde among many others. Despite the brand’s fantastic success, many feel that Chapman’s marriage to accomplished film industry magnate Harvey Weinstein has buoyed the brand through Weinstein’s connections and deep pockets. To be completely honest, I don’t think it matters if the Marchesa brand was started with his money or connections, Chapman and Craig have created stunning dresses that have topped best dressed lists for almost ten years and certainly deserve credit for that effort. Now Chapman is reportedly entering into the film industry herself by directing a short film in collaboration with Canon as part of its Project Imagination program, in which she will create a movie based upon photos submitted by Canon users. Style.com reports: “she follows in the footsteps of actor and director Ron Howard, who also collaborated with Canon on a film, which was later shown at Sundance and the Tribeca Film Festival. (Howard will serve as Chapman’s mentor on the project.)”

Chapman faces some daunting examples of designers turned film directors. In March 2005, famed designer Tom Ford announced the opening of his film production company, FADE TO BLACK. In 2009, Ford made his film directorial debut with A Single Man, which was based on the novel of the same name by Christopher Isherwood. Ford also produced the film, which premiered on September 11, 2009 at the 66th Venice International Film Festival and was nominated for a Golden Lion. Colin Firth, who plays the protagonist George, was awarded the Volpi Cup as Best Actor for his performance and was also nominated for an Academy Award, Golden Globe, Independent Spirit Award and Screen Actors Guild Award. Julianne Moore was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the Golden Globes. Tom Ford was nominated for two Independent Spirit Awards in 2009 including Best First Feature and Best First Screenplay.

Tom Ford huge success as a master visual artist certainly set the bar quite high; here at HLG we wish Chapman the same success and can’t wait to see her film when it debuts.