The creative duo behind Kenzo went deep when it came to a short film around the spring collection that sought to cast music as the central character.
The film for the label’s spring campaign is called “Music Is My Mistress” and premiered at the Underground Museum in Los Angeles Thursday evening before a crowd that included, models, musicians and actors. Among those there for a preview of the movie, which is not due for release to the public until Feb. 20, were Jesse Williams, cellist Kelsey Lu, Samantha Urbani, Spike Jonze and Karen O.
“I was riveted. I think it was dope. I was very happy,” said Williams, who was in the film and saw the final cut for the first time, along with the rest of the crowd. “It takes you on a very unorthodox journey. It bleeds the lines of beginning and end and narrative and soundscapes.”
Related Articles
The movie, directed by the Emmy and Grammy nominee Kahlil Joseph, in short takes on an almost dream-like quality as it flits from character to character and in and out of scenes amid a juxtaposition of sounds. Williams is the music manager trying to track down an artist played by Ishmael Butler. No one knows how to find Butler’s character, Gamma, other than a cellist played by Lu. Meanwhile, each character’s story arc appears to center around a character referred to as simply the princess, played by Tracee Ellis Ross.
You May Also Like
“I didn’t need to get it,” Williams said of the film’s storyline and message. “I’ve know Kahlil for some time. We’re working on a couple things together. He’s my brother and he asked me if I would be a part of it and I didn’t let him finish his sentence. I trust him implicitly.”
Kenzo creative directors Carol Lim and Humberto Leon give creative freedom to the filmmakers for their collections’ campaigns. “Music Is My Mistress” was no exception. The pair walked Joseph through the collection and let him interpret the inspiration behind the line for the film.
“The collection’s inspiration was nightlife and this idea of energy and acceptance and these iconic places that people would gather, and he interpreted it the way he wanted to. We never want it to feel forced or dictated,” Lim said.
The evening, along with a Vetements pop-up at Maxfield happening in another part of town, helped cap what has been a busy week in Los Angeles with the presentations or events put on by Rebecca Minkoff, Tommy Hilfiger, Rachel Comey, Rachel Zoe and Raquel Allegra — just as New York Fashion week begins.
“We’re from L.A. and everything about our experiences growing up has informed the way we see fashion, so we’re just glad the rest of the world is catching up,” Lim said of the buzz around the city. “I think people in general have a fascination with L.A. and I think some brands can make it work out here and it just depends on who’s leading the charge. So I think you’ll see a lot more of it.”
Whether “more of it” entails a Kenzo fashion show or event in L.A. remains to be seen.
“Oh, yeah, we have lots of things planned,” Lim said when asked if that is a consideration. “We can’t talk about anything yet but you’re going to see a lot.”