i-D online are the first to debut ‘Phoebe English: A Fashion Film’ directed by Norwegian film-maker Marie Kristiansen.
Earlier this year Phoebe English enchanted us with her MA collection from Central Saint Martins. Since then and despite lots of attention, she has remained fairly quiet as she mysteriously works on what will surely be another successful collection. Today she debuts her first fashion film in collaboration with conceptual artist and filmmaker Marie Kristiansen. Like most of Kristiansen’s work the film explores “the uncomfortable and darker side of human nature”. Highly exposed, ghost-like figures stutter towards you dressed in the designer’s A/W 11 collection. Here, Phoebe tells i-D online about the creative processes behind her very first film.
Why did you decide to make your first fashion film? I am very interested in the different states that my work exists in. Primarily it is a physical wearable garment, it then becomes performative within a show context and after being photographed by the press it becomes a flat image often viewed in a set layout on a computer screen. I suppose making the film was a way to offer a moving and active version of the collection.
Why did you choose to collaborate with director Marie Kristiansen? I have known Marie for a while now as we studied at Saint Martins together. I have always admired the sense of proportion and composition within her filmmaking, an aspect I think she brings to film from her photographic work. This viewpoint translates well into film as her work exists at an equal level both as a static and a moving image.
What were the inspirations and references for the film? I wanted something with a sense of stillness but which also respected the dynamics of the pieces. Marie often works from quite filmic reference points, here the dreamy imagery of Tarkovsky and the moody and subtle drama of Alfred Hitchcock were drawn upon to mirror the intensity and femininity of the collection.
What else are you working on at the moment? I am working on private commissions and developing new work.
