Tag Archives: Alexander McQueen

THE PASSION OF MCQUEEN

The opera-in-development THE PASSION OF MCQUEEN imagines the last hours in the life of Alexander McQueen.

A staged concert of the forthcoming work—with music by Kentaro Kameyama, libretto by William Nedved, and direction by Diana Wyenn—will feature mezzo-soprano Peabody Southwell as Isabella Blow, and baritone David Castillo as Lee.

THE PASSION OF MCQUEEN concert

Friday, March 1, at 8 pm.

Boston Court

70 North Mentor Avenue, Pasadena.

From top: David Castillo, courtesy the artist; Peabody Southwell, courtesy the Metropolitan Opera, New York; Alexander McQueen, photograph by Ann Deniau, courtesy the photographer and Bleecker Street.

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN DOCUMENTARY

Quicksilver inspiration, preternatural artistry, and laser-focused drive against a backdrop of allies (Philip Treacy), loyal assistants (Sebastian Pons), ambivalent observers (Detmar Blow), and demons within (depression, drugs) and without (the fashion calendar)—the rapid rise and demise of Alexander McQueen is told in trenchant documentary form by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui, co-directors of MCQUEEN.
Showing us the personal and professional clashes that marked his brief tenure as fashion’s leading enfant terrible, the film also takes the audience inside McQueen’s process and provides a ringside view of his iconic runway shows. In one of the films most dramatic scenes, McQueen’s close but contentious relationship with benefactor Isabella Blow comes to a head in rare footage shot at the Blow estate in Gloucestershire.
MCQUEEN
Now playing.
Arclight Hollywood
6360 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles.
Landmark
10850 Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles.

Photographs by Ann Deniau, courtesy Bleecker Street.

DANIEL DAY-LEWIS’ SWANSONG

We hope he changes his mind, but Daniel Day-Lewis has—for now—retired from acting.

The Hammer Museum completes its 2017 Contenders screening series with the highly anticipated PHANTOM THREAD, written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, and starring Day-Lewis —in his final role—as Reynolds Woodcock, a 1950s British couturier based on bits and pieces of BalenciagaNorman Hartnell, and Alexander McQueen (the messages sewn into the linings), but especially Charles James:

“The dresses created by Day-Lewis’s character and those James was known for possess statuesque, sculpture-like qualities wherein the manipulation of fabric is paramount… Like Woodcock, James, who viewed his work more as sculpture than articles of clothing, only parted with his confections when they were perfect, and he was perfectly satisfied—a reason why his clients frequently commissioned items years in advance.” — Alexander Fury*

Vicky Krieps co-stars as Woodcock’s muse Alma, and Leslie Manville as his sister and business partner Cyril. Anderson regular Jonny Greenwood composed the score.

Following the screening, the film’s costume designer Mark Bridges will participate in a Q & A moderated by journalist and filmmaker Matt Tyrnauer.

 

PHANTOM THREAD, Tuesday, December 19, at 7:30 pm.

BILLY WILDER THEATER, Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Boulevard, Westwood, Los Angeles.

hammer.ucla.edu/programs/phantom-thread/

nytimes.com/t-magazine/phantom-thread-movie-paul-thomas-anderson

Daniel Day-Lewis as couturier Reynolds Woodcock in Phantom Thread (2017).

'Phantom Thread' trailer

Phantom-Thread-trailer-920x584