My Athens presents Projections: A Night of Fashion and Film

Excited, I carefully walked across what I had just heard someone describe as “European Terrain” and entered Stan Mullins studio.  I had been here once before for a reading hosted by Avid and was ready to be back in this artist’s playground.  I walk in and my eyes immediately move towards the ceiling trying to take in the multitude of paintings covering the walls and sculptures scattered across the space.

I walk to the bar to cash in my drink ticket.  Given the choice of a canned Creature Comforts Tropicalia or a Tito’s cocktail created by the team at The National, I opt for the vodka drink aptly named The Royal Treatment.  The mix of vodka and apple cider pleasantly wafted towards my nose before hitting my lips and warming me, as well as many others, in the chilly studio.

Cozied in my faux fur vest I felt as though I’d stepped into the newest cool girl indie film.  As I looked from DJ Immuzikation to the Photo Booth backed by one of Stan’s paintings, I knew I’d found myself somewhere the likes of Lena Dunham and her “Girls” or Parker Posey’s “Party Girl” would be ruling the roost.

You could say this feeling was appropriate. While,  I am not the next Greta Gerwig gearing up for her next quirky heroine role.  I know, you saw me in The Vagina Monologues in college and just LOVED me as “Townsperson” in the 2005 production of Rodger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, but I’m not here to write about my blossoming acting career.  I’m here to talk about the film themed fashion show, Projections, hosted by My Athens.

After a bit of mingling it was time to settle in and prepare for the show.  We are greeted by Ally Smith and My Athens executive director Rachel Bailey and introduced to Trevor Blake and Rachel Barnes, killer stylists and our emcees for the evening.

Our first fashions were from Dynamite, styled by Stephanie Diaz, based on the film “Heathers.”  Models glided down the runway (complete with croquet mallets) clad in plaid and blazers to the smooth dreamy melodies of “Que Sera Sera.”

Encore and stylist, Lucie Reynolds, put together the ultimate Band-Aid fashions for their “Almost Famous” inspired looks.  Something you should know about me: I. LOVE. ALMOST. FAMOUS.  If we become friends outside of internet land, I will make you watch the director’s cut, just shy of a three hour commitment.  You know what, scratch that.  Even within internet land, I believe I could write a pretty compelling argument as to why the extended edition of this film is so important.  I loved seeing these Penny Lane look-a-likes strut their stuff to Stillwater’s “Fever Dog” and smoothly transition into graceful nymphs floating to “Tiny Dancer.”  Many in the audience (myself included) couldn’t help but sing along, creating our own version of the now iconic bus scene.

Stylist Elizabeth Herron, with help from Agora Vintage, brought us a pastel dream with their looks inspired by “What a Way to Go.”  Unfortunately, this was the film I was least familiar with.  However, I can’t imagine a better recommendation than these elegant vintage looks.  I have always wanted to dye my hair pink (a common side effect of years of Gwen Stefani worship) and these do’s, created by Washington Square Studio, may be what finally cause me to woman up and “do the do.” (See what I did there?)

Next up was one of the stores I was most excited for, Flirt Fashions!  Nestled in the middle of Clayton Street, Flirt is one of my favorite shopping spots.  Though I may be bias, their creative director, Jen Tello, is not only a friend to Southern Bon Vivant, she is also my partner in Seabear Ramen eating and general Normaltown shenanigans.  Together with Trevor Blake, Flirt presented us with four incredible Holly Golightlys rival only to Audrey herself.

After a short intermission, the second half of the evening began with Community and stylist, Carlee Ingersoll’s, “Breakfast Club” inspired fashions.  The models danced down the runway and into our hearts much like the brain, athlete, princess, basket case, and criminal did years before.

  

Red Dress Boutique and stylist Allison Skinner created the most divine looks inspired by “Love Story.”  Seriously, these scarves and sweater dresses had me craving Autumn and its crunchy colored leaves.  (We’re still getting fall, right?!  Please, crazy Georgia weather do not skip straight to Winter.)

Cheeky Peach and Rachel Barnes took on another of my favorite flicks, “Empire Records.”  I used to watch this movie in high school and long to have been a teenager during the days of large independently owned record stores.  It also played hugely into my mourning the loss of School Kids Records in college.  It was surreal getting to see some of my favorite characters (and high school fictional role models) come to life on the runway.

We ended the evening on a definite high note.  Shawna Maranville and Atomic nailed “Valley of the Dolls.”  It has taken everything in me not to go by there this week and purchase all of these amazing robes.

 

 

 

 

Projections was not only a celebration of fashion but of community and the films themselves.  The music played, whether its the Breakfast Club dancing to “We Are Not Alone” in weekend detention or William Miller’s infatuation with Penny Lane set to “My Cherie Amour.”  And the emotions evoked the first time you saw these characters and heard their stories.  Projections banded community together not unlike the Breakfast Club, Band Aids, and Empire Records gang before them.  Heck, even the Heathers could teach us a thing or two about the importance of community.

Or at least how well water works when trying to set your do.