Antinoo is a short, non-narrative fashion film.
Rhythm, melody and sound replace the narrative voice.
The result is a rhythmic fusion of visual and sound effects.
A path that narrates the dress as an elastic, polymorphic and unstable entity, capable of being infinitely reconstructed in space and time, imbuing itself with new visual values.
Two outfits.
The film is about two outfits designed by Filippo Soffiati, a designer graduated in Fashion Design at IUAV University of Venice.
Together with Filippo we selected two outfits: a red one and a blue one. Both outfits were made with fine materials and evoke the seabed. These masked characters seem emerging from the depth of sea, taking erosion, incrusted algae, shells and corals with them.
This outifts have been selected by Vogue Italia for the "Lineapelle for Leather Talents" project. Lineapelle and Vogue Talents have selected 2 students from each of the top 5 fashion schools in Italy for a special project dedicated to leather and its characteristics.
These creations have been shown at Palazzo Morando, in Milan, during the Milan fashion week.
Texture and fabrics.
Since the very beginning the main purpose of the film was showing the precious materials and their layering on the body. Precious leathers (Karung and Ray skin), fur (Kidassia and Mongolia), feathers (Marabù) all in shades of blue.
Velvet and watery organzas to create different density and light's contrasts. Coral points evoking the flesh, the body deprived of its shell. This is a project of stratification and enclosure where materials are blend together in a precarious balance.
The title choice.
In 130 AD, during a cruise on the Nile, Antinoo -the beautiful young lover of Emperor Hadrian- died falling into the water in circumstances that remained today still unknown. All possibilities are still open on the causes of the tragic event.
Accidental drowning, suicide, murder by jealousy or even voluntary sacrifice. The story has remained a mystery of the past and the guru of the beautiful young man was soon associated with homosexuality in Western culture and appeared in many literary and poetic works
Moodboard.
Abstract.
As in a progressive archaeological excavation, textures and surfaces are revealed one by one from a close and inquiring look. Only discovering the precious materials one by one, it is then possible to appreciate their overall beauty.
A vision of perpetual change and transformation through different surfaces. A synaesthetic journey transforming visual sensations into tactile ones.
Concept.
These precious garments seem to be alive, organic entities that have gradually wrapped the body, like incrustations and erosions of an ancient statue settled on the seabed.
The surfaces, layer by layer, trap the body in two luxurious masked outfits.
Even more important than the precious skins, the feathers and the fur is the surface of the water.
It's indeed in the water that materials come together
and garment gets alive, organic and metamorphic.
Water effects.
Underwater landscape's lights and reflections were partially recreated on set with macroscopic images of the water. A glass vase for macroscopic
shooting, a larger tank for reflections and character's interactions with the surface. Some other underwater effects are digitally animations
Soundtrack.
Sounds and image cooperate connecting the garments to the seabed. Sounds also recall specific tactile sensations. I composed the soundtrack
combining water sound I recorded in Venice with samples from Amon Tobin, Yakamoto Kozuga, Shlohmo, Max Cooper.