Books and Film can provide fashion art directors/ fashion Editors with a wealth of ideas and inspiration.
'The Secret Life of Bees' was released in 2008. It is a wonderfully uplifting film set in the time of Summer in 1964 Southern America where the civil rights act was signed and just taking effect in a reluctant sector of the white community. Lily Owens the main character played by Fanning carries a huge and overbearing sense of guilt from a tragic accident that happened when she was a toddler. Ten years later it comes to a head when the disturbed adolescent is unfairly punished by her father. She leaves home with her black nanny and on a hunch she heads towards a place her mother went to visit when she was young. She never looks back.
Dakota Fanning was the face of the designer's campaign in 2006 at the age of 13! Do you remember her in the classic Steven Spielberg film War of the Worlds?
This film based on a novel by Sue Monk Kidd and directed by Gina Price won best independent film in 2008.
The reason it is on my blog is firstly it is beautifully styled, secondly the message is aspirational and relevant to today more than ever. Fashion shoot wise or brand image wise a multi racial message that goes beyond the cliches of Benetton could be adopted by many brands without fear of politicization - America has a black president and glamourous first lady.
This film is a classic and the message is about forgiveness and reconciliation, both on a personal and political front. It is up lifting not preaching.
