We're big fans of Film Fatale here in
Dirty Fabulous but for those few who mightn't have heard about it can
you tell us a bit about it?
We
produce screenings and vintage parties. We run large-scale Prohibition
parties at
IMMA, where we transform the great halls of The Royal
Hospital Kilmainham into the kind of elegant yet wild soirée that would
do Jay Gatsby proud. Meanwhile, Film Fatale has its bi-monthly night out
at the
Sugar Club. We screen a classic film, and then throw a vintage
party around it. There is a red-carpet photographer, usherettes serving
popcorn and themed cocktails. With its wood-panelled walls and red
velvet booths and curtains, The Sugar Club lends this vintage night the
perfect setting. We have the best-dressed femme fatales in town, not to
mention live music and The Andrews Sisters' Brothers (Dublin's best
retro DJ's and the two best-dressed men).
The Sugar Club
Where has your love of nostalgic films and bygone eras come from?
I
have a life-long love of classic movies, their music and fashion. I
studied film and was the programmer for the Screen cinema for a few
years where my big joy was programming classic films. I love being
completely absorbed and transported into another world, I want to drink a
Gibson with Margo Channing (Bette Davis, All About Eve), dance with
Fred Astaire, step into the smoke-filled jazz bars of film noir or party
at the Gatsbies. What I do now is recreate these events!
Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire
Is planning Film Fatale events all consuming or do you work it around another career?
It
started as a side project outside of my job as a film programmer. I
wanted to do Event Cinema and parties that don't work in a traditional
cinema setting. Now it's an all-consuming job planning events in The
Sugar Club, IMMA and for corporate clients as well.
How do you decide what films to feature or events to plan? Is it hard
to come up with ideas or does your list of fabulous events just keep
growing?
I
have a never ending list of events I want to do based on what I feel
passionate about, what I'd like to go to, what the best nights have
been, what the audience have reacted best to and from chatting to people
who come to my events. Some are inspired from films or the past or are a
fusion. They all bring a certain level of escapism and glamour.
We are beyond excited for the Prohibition Party in IMMA as it will be
our first 20's themed Film Fatale! Tell us a little about what we can
expect there.
There
has always been something special about our 1920s events. People really
go the extra mile in terms of recreating the look. It made sense to
take it to a bigger level and IMMA is just right as there are very few
places in Dublin that you can recreate the majestic idea of Gatsbies
Mansion with its manicured lawns, big hall and secret rooms. Once you
enter the door of Prohibition, you’ll find ragtime bands, Charleston
dancers, feather dancers, gambling, bath tub gin from tea cups and
everything you would expect from a 1920s party. What made the last event
so magical was the audience — everyone really embraced the look. I can
honestly say I’ve never seen a better-dressed event. We also keep it
fresh by fusing old and new with jazz-era style covers of modern songs,
electro swing and a room that's 1920s to 1970s for those who want The
Andrews Sisters’ Brothers all night long.
Most of your events are vintage themed. Do many people dress up and
immerse themselves in the night? Is it ok to go in civvies? (why anyone
wouldn't want to get dressed up is beyond us!)
We
have a strict dress code for Prohibition and not a single person showed
up in their civies. For something so specific, once-off and special,
you need everyone to get on board. We're not as strict for the Sugar
Club — occasionally we get someone in to meet their friends who isn't
dressed up but after they’ve experienced it, they are usually the most
dressed up at the next event. I don't like the culture of judging people
based on what they're wearing. What we want is for people to embrace
the theme of the night or the general vintage style, and to have fun
with it. That can be as simple as some red lipstick and black eyeliner,
classic vintage style or a bow-tie, to full on army suits or a full ball
gown. Those who really go all-out don't get funny looks, they get
congratulated. They are a lovely crowd and appreciate when you put the
effort in.
Fabulous Prohibition Party Goers in their 1920's finery!
Any recommendations for inspiration? Where do you get your style inspiration from for your day to day and working life?
For
events I throw myself into it as much as possible and put a lot of
thought into the era or the film. That’s been ballgowns, army suits, a
Tippi Hendren Birds costume, while for week-night screenings and the
office I usually go 1960s style which is the most day- to-day wearable
era. I love fur coats in the winter and look most 40s or 50s in the
summer. I get inspiration from films (anything featuring Edith Head
dresses), amazing vintage shops and fairs, vintage blogs and I can go
down the rabbit hole of pinterest for hours at a time. I also like a
good root through Etsy but nothing beats being able to touch the
material and feel the quality. The best inspiration is often found among
real women at Film Fatale or out on the street. I like to see how they
mix old and new and how they pull an outfit together to fit their own
personality.
Crazily, there are people out there who just wouldn't watch an old
movie. If you could convince them that they were seriously missing out,
what would your top 3 absolute, must see, recommendations be?
They
are crazy! You learn a lot about the world from old movies, how things
have changed, how things never seem to change but most importantly
you’re being promised an amazing cinema experience. The best films shine
through so if every critic and film lover has been saying that a film
is amazing for 50 years you know that your in for an experience with
amazing actors, camerawork, dialogue and story. My favourites are
Vertigo, Gone with the wind and All About Eve but I’d also highly
recommend anything Fred and Ginger for frothy funny, solid rom-com humour
and the most amazing dancing and costumes you’ll ever see.
The ice cool queen, Kim Novak in Vertigo
Bette Davis and Co. in All About Eve (ooh I adore this movie!)
Ah... Mr Rhett Butler!
Finally, we're busy planning our outfits but what will you be wearing on the night?
If
I wasn’t working on the night, I’d be found wearing head-to-toe
beading, either a drop-waist flapper dress or a bias cut 1930s dress
with all the frills, fur shrug, gloves, long chains and a sparkling head
piece. I need to be a little bit more flexible for all the running
around that’s involved so the performers will have the show-stopping
outfits and I’ll be in something simple but sparkling and with lots of
accessories. Actual 1920s dresses are antiques at this stage but luckily
fashion is forever looking back so there’s amazing 1950s, 1960s, 1970s
and 1980s vintage dresses that are inspired from 1920s fashion that you
get your hands on and have this fun original era fusion look.
....Thanks Anna for letting us have a snoop through your busy life! You've certainly added to our excitement for March 14th's Prohibition Party.
If you haven't snapped up your tickets for what's going to be the most fabulous and glamourous party ever then hurry up and get them here before they are all gone!!!
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