I’m a big fan of festivals in Melbourne – even more so when the word ‘fashion’ is included – but it was the Melbourne International Film Festival that I attended recently where I first heard of Advanced Style.
Advanced Style is a fashion documentary by Ari Seth Cohen, an extension of his blog and coffee table book where his subjects are past 50, but exude style in all forms. His still photography and blog posts are bought to life on the big screen by Lina Plioplyte, and the women themselves are such characters, its hard to believe they haven’t been scouted before. You’ll wish your nana was that cool!
This is a lovely film, full of laughs and home truths, that will have you grinning from ear to ear. You’ll also feel like your own personal wardrobe sucks, and wonder why you are not wearing more hats/scarves/brooches/earrings.
I’m so thrilled that Ari and Lena were in town for the MIFF release of Advanced Style, and I was privvy to a Q&A session with them following the screening. Their passion for their job is fantastic – who wouldn’t want to spend all day with women of this calibre!
Advanced Style hits cinemas in Melbourne from October 2, and I have 3 double passes to giveaway. I recommend you take your nana. To win, simply comment on this post telling me whose Advanced Style you most admire. Winner drawn Tuesday 30 September at midday – Victorian entries only. Good Luck!
My darling Nanna, Muriel Deery, was a woman whose advanced style was impeccable. She had the most fabulous wardrobe I’ve ever seen, let alone had the privilege of playing in – and she wasn’t precious about it at all. She allowed her grandchildren to play dress-ups in the most superb garments – I look back and almost shriek with dismay at the thought of us as children, with makeup smeared all over our faces, in those amazing frocks – but the joy it gave to both us and her meant the world. Fashion is meant to be fun after all, and we certainly had a lot of fun with Nanna’s amazing wardrobe!
Audrey Hepburn. Cliche yes, but no one had a more natural and beautiful style than that amazing woman.