From Jimmy Dean's red windbreaker in Rebel Without a Cause to Gwyneth's tennis dress in The Royal Tenenbaums, clothes have obviously played a big part in movies. The relationship between film and fashion is even more complementary when a movie's tone pairs perfectly with a designer's aesthetic. The 2013 Sundance entry Crystal Fairy, a film by Sebastián Silva in which an uncouth Michael Cera and pals take a road trip in search of a mythical hallucinogen, called for a road- and mind-trip-ready wardrobe. And who better to capture this look than designer Dana Lee, who pinned down that laze n' daze spirit with French terry Henleys, faded chinos, and menswear that can go from dapper to rugged? Before the film's June 28th screening at New York's Rooftop Films, OC had a quick chat with Lee about how her uber-relaxed pieces meshed with the film's drug-driven wanderlust.
How did you become involved with Crystal Fairy?
Mark Grattan, who art-directed the film, is a good friend of mine. He also wears a lot of my clothes. I got a phone call from Mark one day asking if I'd like to participate in wardrobing the film, and of course said yes. I love Michael Cera and really identify with the naturalist feel and the intimate, everyday subject matter of Silva's films.
What about your menswear aesthetic made it a good fit for the movie?
The cast is young and much of the film takes place in the Chilean desert so the Dana Lee Spring/Summer 2013 items really fit that setting—particularly the pigment-dyed tanks, tees, pants, and shorts, which have a pre-worn and sun-faded, sort of slacker feel. My clothes tend to be somewhat ubiquitous and anti-sensational, so Mark was able to outfit almost the entire cast while keeping the film looking natural. It was important to him that the film have a really cohesive yet unforced feeling.
In designing clothes for the characters, what were your sources of inspiration?
The geographical setting and the characters' youthfulness played a big part in it.
Did you also pull pieces from your past collections?
We used pieces from several collections, mainly SS11.
What did you think of the movie?
I have actually only seen clips and stills, so I'm itching to see the film. At its Sundance debut, Crystal Fairy was awarded Best Director in World Cinema, so I know that it's going to be really good.
Shop all Dana Lee here
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How did you become involved with Crystal Fairy?
Mark Grattan, who art-directed the film, is a good friend of mine. He also wears a lot of my clothes. I got a phone call from Mark one day asking if I'd like to participate in wardrobing the film, and of course said yes. I love Michael Cera and really identify with the naturalist feel and the intimate, everyday subject matter of Silva's films.
What about your menswear aesthetic made it a good fit for the movie?
The cast is young and much of the film takes place in the Chilean desert so the Dana Lee Spring/Summer 2013 items really fit that setting—particularly the pigment-dyed tanks, tees, pants, and shorts, which have a pre-worn and sun-faded, sort of slacker feel. My clothes tend to be somewhat ubiquitous and anti-sensational, so Mark was able to outfit almost the entire cast while keeping the film looking natural. It was important to him that the film have a really cohesive yet unforced feeling.
In designing clothes for the characters, what were your sources of inspiration?
The geographical setting and the characters' youthfulness played a big part in it.
Did you also pull pieces from your past collections?
We used pieces from several collections, mainly SS11.
What did you think of the movie?
I have actually only seen clips and stills, so I'm itching to see the film. At its Sundance debut, Crystal Fairy was awarded Best Director in World Cinema, so I know that it's going to be really good.
Shop all Dana Lee here
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Leisure Jacket
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