Scene B Seen

DRESSED Documentary Premiere at Big Apple Film Festival

Britten — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:35:49 -0500

Onerock Moving Pictures documentary DRESSED premiered at the Big Apple Film Festival on November 3rd at the Tribeca Cinemas to a sold out theater and a star-studded event.

DRESSED was selected from 700 films that were submitted from the New York City independent film community, as well as, additional selections from across the country and around the world to be screened at the Big Apple Film Festival.

DRESSED is the much buzzed about documentary that tells the touching and inspirational story of Laotian-American fashion designer, Nary Manivong, who defies the odds of a broken childhood and homelessness to follow his dream of showing his collection at New York’s Fashion Week and launching his brand. The documentary was fluid, had a great soundtrack by Chris Orazi and Sink to See, brought tears to your eyes, and made you laugh with Manivong's infectious smile.

The Big Apple Film Festival screening was an absolute smash hit with ticket goers. New York’s finest with fashionable attendees including; socialite Ally Hilfiger, Project Runway’s favorite fashion designer Malan Breton, and the ever so glamorous fashion designer Loris Diran (whose designs have been featured in A Devil Wear’s Prada). Top industry experts, who happen to be part of the cast, also attended; industry consultant George Furlan, Janet Mock of People.com, and Mickey Boardman of Paper Magazine, along with other castmates; director David Swajeski, executive producer Maryanne Grisz, and fashion designer Nary Manivong.

FYI: The cast of DRESSED includes industry experts from Fern Mallis, Senior Vice President of IMG Fashion; Ohio designer Nanette Lepore; Author Mary Gehlhar “Fashion Designer’s Survival Guide”; Simon Collins, Dean of Fashion for Parsons, The New School for Design; Simon Doonan, Creative Director of Barneys New York, author of four books and columnist for The New York Observer; Stylist Robert Verdi; Anastasia Griffith from the NBC show Trauma; Jason Napier of the band Sink to See; President of The Fashion Group International, Margaret Hayes and fashion writer Lynn Yaeger.

*photos courtesy of PMc by JP Pullos

*photo 1: Ally Hilfiger and Nary Manivong

*photo 2: Mickey Boardman and Loris Diran

*photo 3: Malan Breton

DRESSED Documentary Sneak Peek at Soho House

Britten — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 11:10:10 -0400

Onerock Moving Pictures screened an intimate sneak peek of their documentary DRESSED to New York’s tastemakers and press at Soho House members’ club and hotel in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District on September 10th.

DRESSED is a heartfelt documentary that takes a look at Laotian-American fashion designer, Nary Manivong, who defies the odds of a broken childhood and homelessness to follow his dream of showing his collection at New York’s Fashion Week and launching his brand.

The film also features a cast of top fashion experts: Fern Mallis, Senior Vice President of IMG Fashion; Ohio designer Nanette Lepore; Mickey Boardman of Paper Magazine; Author Mary Gehlhar “Fashion Designer’s Survival Guide”; Simon Collins, Dean of Fashion for Parsons, The New School for Design; Industry Consultant George Furlan; Simon Doonan, Creative Director of Barneys New York, author of four books and columnist for The New York Observer; Stylist Robert Verdi; President of The Fashion Group International, Margaret Hayes; and fashion writer Lynn Yaeger.

Following the 15 minute sneak peek (which had a killer soundtrack, btw), Director David Swajeski, Executive Producer Maryanne Grisz, Nary Manivong, and a few of the cast members, gathered for a Q&A.

The decorous Mr. Manivong, who had his New York Fashion Week runway show earlier that evening, was all smiles and definitely ready to relax for the rest of Fashion Week. Mr. Manivong appeared grounded and was completely receptive to audience inquiries.

I spoke with Ms. Grisz about the moving documentary. I wondered how the direction of the film from the onset moved throughout the year of filming. "We always saw the central story/theme being about the strength of the human spirit. Working with Nary was very inspiring as he just kept moving forward in pursuit of his dream in spite of the tremendous odds against him."

I believe the essence of Mr. Manivong spoke beautifully within DRESSED to produce an absolutely inspiring documentary. I can't wait to see the full-length feature.

For additional information, visit www.dressed-themovie.com and www.narymanivong.com.

*photo 1: Still from DRESSED (model and Nary Manivong)

*photo 2: Still from DRESSED (Nary Manivong)

*photo 3: Nary Manivong at DRESSED Sneak Peek

*photo 4: Executive Producer Maryanne Grisz

*photo 5: Director David Swajeski and Nary Manivong at DRESSED Sneak Peek

Fashion Forecast: Looks Like Champagne Rain

Britten — Tue, 05 May 2009 14:34:58 -0400

As I gazed over the city, blanketed in dismal clouds from my lovely loft, it occurred to me that my landscape was reminiscent of the 2010 color palette. Last week, the tree blossoms were in full bloom and the tulips came out to play. Since they had been in a longer than expected slumber, they continued to flourish despite the rain, cold, and overcast haze that is the all of the sudden- luminous today.

Pinks and poppy-reds are prominent next spring, amongst the pale-pinks, beige, and antique whites of the following summer, and the even cooler tones of a graphite themed winter. Yet, it was all right in front of me this afternoon: my graphite city immersed in the damp neutrals of the rain, river, and parks, and delicately sprinkled with soft and bright-pink petals.

It all felt very lace and faux-leather, and I thought to myself: it's all so inviting and sensuous, like a 1930-40's seduction... tromp-l'oeil of subtle decadence. Agatha Christie meets Raymond Chandler meets Willem de Kooning accessorized with Frank Lloyd Wright and fashioned on Greta Garbo.

So why wait a whole other year to present this delicious pending color trend? Our Spring has already been pushed back, therefore, I say- find a sheer sage sundress, pair it with an antique lace petticoat and accent it with some pink peony bakelite geometric bangles and over-sized pearls, then pour us some Veuve.

* Gingham Taffeta Sundress Halter Dress at Betsey Johnson

* Fabiola Bangle - Mark Davis Collector by Mark Davis at Barneys New York

* Mark Davis Josephine Bangle by Mark Davis at Barneys New York

* Geometric Eyelet Strapless Dress at Betsey Johnson