Cesca Dvorak is the feisty, from-another-planet filmmaker and stylist with an outlandish aesthetic.
Describing her creative vision as looking a little something like “a frog, in a dress, eating ice cream,” Miss Dvorak’s art direction on set is left-field, to say the least. A lover of colour and fascinated by fluro, she finds individuality stimulating and idiosyncrasy inspiring. First popping-up in the i-D office as an intern two years ago, this cute costume designer could mostly be found elbow deep in sequins or samples, discussing the latest art house event or warehouse rave she ended up lost at. A proper little culture vulture, Cesca has gone on to direct and style many abstract music videos and fashion films, including those for CocknBullKid, Connan Mockasin and Turbogeist as well as designing stage costumes for the Pipettes and working as first woman in command for sustainable fashion designer extraordinaire, Dr. Noki. Not bad going for a former student of Wimbledon School of Arts, who only got into the game because she liked dressing-up. After she whipped-up a short fashion flick ripe for our delectation, i-D online donned a disguise and interrogated Cesca to find out her tricks of the trade.
What is your earliest memory? My earliest memory is being so small that I could sit on my father’s head as he walked around and I thought it was funny.
When was the first time you picked up a camera? I was six and it was a summer holiday in France. I put my toys on a chair outside and took a portrait of them.
What inspires you to want to create and style your own fashion films? I’m inspired because it’s a fairly new thing, which is exciting. There’s so much potential with film. Clothes look amazing in action and with music.
Who is your hero? Buddha.
What is your favourite film? The Cabinet of Dr Caligari.
What is your favourite soundtrack? The music in Ashik Kerib is beautiful.
You hop the borders of fashion and film, tell which labels you’re into at the moment? Ashish, Miu Miu, Louise Gray, Moonspoon Saloon, Bernhard Willhelm, KTZ, Moschino.
What has been your greatest outfit ever? Maybe my black and white polka dot jumpsuit that I got in San Francisco, with high wedges and red lipstick. I looked like a tall clown.
What does beauty mean to you? Chaos.
Who should we be keeping one eye on? Musician/artist Felicita, designers Astrid Andersen and Angela Brandys, photographer Susu Laroche and film maker Matilda Tristram.
Tell us your top five best-kept, thrift-shopping secrets?
1. Trimmings and fabric from Walthamstow Market.
2. Weird, cheap toys from the Vietnamese shop on Mare Street, Hackney.
3. Various cheap and brilliant junk from Snooper’s Paradise in Brighton.
4. Records from Eldica, Dalston.
5. Food, The Japan Centre (at about 8pm, discount time).
What’s next? I’m going to Belfast to work on the MTV awards.
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Text: Milly McMahon
Film direction and styling: Cesca Dvorak
Film editing: Will Clarke
Film credits: Look one: Shirt Ashish. Headband Piers Atkinson. Trousers Matthew Williamson. Boots Charlotte Olympia. Look Two Shirt Ashish. Earrings House of Holland for Freedom at Topshop. Skirt Tibi. Boots Mary Katrantzou. Look three: Dress Peter Jensen. Headband Piers Atkinson. Boots Charlotte Olympia. Look four Shirt Angela Brandys. Blouse (worn beneath) Matthew Williamson. Trousers Angela Brandys. Boots Mary Katrantzou. Look Five: Coat Cheap Monday. Trousers Matthew Williamson/ Shoes Angela Brandys. Gloves Sermonata. Bag stylist’s own.
