Photography: Ashley Batz

Sitting back with a few good friends or that special someone enjoying a great movie is one of our favorite pastimes. Couple that with all things fashion and you have a real joy! That’s why the upcoming San Francisco Fashion Film Festival is right up our alley. Who wouldn’t want to spend a few days immersed in some of the most stylish movies of all time? Annie Wilson, founder of Poetic & Chic and a freelance designer, Adelle McElveen founder of  Fashionista Lab and content director for SF Fashion + Tech, and Kimara Mitchell Stokes an art director/designer for the Gap’s outlet division and founder of  j’adore couture, share our penchant for film and fashion and came up with the idea to combine them in a two day festival.

Although the women have different style philosophies, they do share a love for chic clothing that tells a story. Their collective knowledge of the fashion industry and the film industry helped the three friends establish Fashion Film Fest which will take place April 7th and 8th at the Roxie Theater. The stylish founders of the festival shared their thoughts on movies, fashion and San Francisco with us during a day out on the town.

What inspired you to start Fashion Film Fest?
Adelle: I wanted to start doing more creative work, and after listening to Annie and Kim talk about StyleCinema, the idea for a film festival popped into my head.
Annie: I had hosted some cafe screenings a few years ago under StyleCinemaSF. Kim and I had discussed reviving the series in a new location just at the time Adelle mentioned doing a full-scale film festival. It was perfect timing!

Annie: Boden skirt & belt, Banana Republic top, Corso Como shoes, J. Crew & Stella & Dot bracelets. Adelle: RVCA dress, Seychelles shoes, Anthropologie belt, Sunshee Moon & Lauren Wimmer necklace, Luv A.J., Trina Turk, Azil rings, Kate Spade earrings. Kim: Equipment shirt, H&M skirt, Miu Miu pumps, Lulu Frost for J.Crew earrings, J.Crew bracelet.

What are some of your favorite films for fashion?
Adelle: I always say “Clueless” because it’s the first film that inspired my personal style. As a teenager I appropriated many of the looks for my own wardrobe. I also love Marie Antoinette, because it showed women of a completely different period thoroughly enjoying fashion like we do today. It was a good reminder that even though people in history look different, there are some things that haven’t changed.
Annie: I always come back to the amazing gowns that Adrian designed for films in the 1930s and 1940s. They were sleek & sensational. I think it’s far more challenging for a costumer to design contemporary clothes than lavish period pieces. If I notice the “everyday” clothes in a film, then you know they’re good!
Kim: I really loved “A Single Man” and “I Am Love.” In both, the fashion, art direction, and set design are as much a character in the film as the actors. I am also a huge fan of Edith Head’s work with Grace Kelly in “Rear Window” and “To Catch A Thief.” Having grown up in Philadelphia (Kelly is a Philadelphia native), I used to watch both films with my grandmother.

Why do you feel San Francisco is a perfect city for a fashion film festival?
Adelle: This is a new idea, and people out here are all about new ideas! People out here really like to experiment with fashion, and that’s what we’re doing – just in a different medium.
Annie: San Francisco has a huge community of film lovers and fashion lovers, so why not bring these two camps together at the same time?

How would you describe each of your styles?
Adelle: “Minimalist bohemian”–I like to play with color, volume, and texture, but in a low-key way. Nothing too over-the-top.
Annie: Easy glamour. I wear really easy pieces (jeans, tops, blazers) but I like to introduce a little something that’s more glamorous and maybe unexpected. I love a touch of sequin or costume jewelry, a great velvet blazer, an Hermes scarf, and a favorite pair of jeans.
Kim: It’s hard for me to define my style, because I feel it’s constantly evolving. For me, it’s all about the mix: a sportier top with a pencil skirt, cargo pants or slouchy jeans with a feminine blouse. I love earrings and a chunky ring, and of course, a great pair of heels.

What are your goals for FFF?
Adelle: To show that there’s a different way to think about fashion, beyond just what people are wearing. I also wanted an event that could be inclusive, so you don’t have to feel like an expert on fashion in order to participate.
Annie: To expand and challenge what people commonly think of as a “fashion film”, and to inspire them to look at something new.
Kim: So many people think of stereotypical films when it comes to fashion, and there are so many other films out there that have set trends or inspired fashion designers. We really wanted to delve further into fashion & film and tell those stories through specific themes.

Kim: Kelly Wearstler blouse, Current/Elliott jeans, Kate Spade pumps, Kelly Framel earrings, BCBG ring. Adelle: RVCA dress, Seychelles shoes, Anthropologie belt, Sunshee Moon & Lauren Wimmer necklace, Luv A.J., Trina Turk, Azil rings, Kate Spade earrings, Levis denim jacket. Annie: J. Crew top, Banana Republic pants, Dior shoes

 

How can people get involved?
Adelle: Buy tickets! You can also volunteer, advertise, or become a sponsor for the festival. All that information is available at www.fashfilmfest.org.
Annie: Buy tickets and attend the festival! We’re looking forward to seeing fashion and film fans alike. We think it will be a really interesting, fun mix of people. We also need volunteers! Check out the website for information about volunteer opportunities.

How do you ladies sparkle?
Adelle: By turning wild dreams into a reality!
Annie: Laughter!
Kim: having a passion for something, whether it’s family and friends, the film festival, my “day” job…and something sequined!

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