Athens, Ga. – The Georgia Museum of Art at the University of Georgia will present the film series “Dress the Part: Fashion in Movies and Magazines” in conjunction with the exhibition “Pattern and Palette in Print: Gentry Magazine and a New Generation of Trendsetters” on April 12, 19 and 26.
Films to be shown include “Bill Cunningham New York” (April 12), “Funny Face” (April 19) and “The September Issue” (April 26). All films will start at 7 p.m. in the M. Smith Griffith Auditorium and are free and open to the public.
Mary Koon, co-curator of “Pattern and Palette” and editor at the museum, described the movie choices as showing the “…different ways fashion, whether from the runway or the street, are captured in print and on film. They all speak, in one way or another, to the importance of color in fashion trends.”
“Bill Cunningham New York,” a 2010 documentary directed by Richard Press, portrays the life of iconic fashion photographer William Cunningham, whose photographs of fashion trends on the streets of Manhattan have, for decades, appeared weekly in the New York Times style section. His career in fashion photography began with an unintentional shot of Greta Garbo. “Bill Cunningham New York” has won numerous awards and received widespread critical acclaim since its release. The film runs 84 minutes.
Audrey Hepburn, Fred Astaire and Kay Thompson star in the 1957 American musical “Funny Face.” This romantic comedy features Thompson (as Maggie Prescott) (Thompson) and Astaire (as Dick Avery) as they search for a model that is both beautiful and intellectual. They chance upon Hepburn (as Jo Stockton) working in the bookstore they choose for a photo shoot. Jo accepts a modeling contract and travels to Paris with Maggie and Dick. Dick and Jo soon develop feelings for each other, which leads to trouble when her desire to be a philosopher interferes with her modeling responsibilities. “Funny Face” is considered to be an American classic and one of the great musicals. The film is approximately 103 minutes long.
“The September Issue” takes a behind-the-scenes look at what went into making the September 2007 issue of Vogue. Directed by R.J. Cutler, this 2009 film focuses on Vogue editor Anna Wintour, who has held her position there since 1988 and received worldwide recognition for her keen fashion eye. Notoriously known as “Nuclear Wintour,” she is reportedly a demanding and, at times, unreasonable boss. The popular film and novel “The Devil Wears Prada” are thought to be based on a former assistant’s experiences working for Wintour. The September 2007 issue of Vogue remains the single largest magazine publication ever, weighing in at more than four pounds. Cutler takes viewers behind the scenes to closed-door staff meetings, photo shoots and backstage at Fashion Week in Paris for an unprecedented look at exactly what goes into making the magazine. The film is 90 minutes long.
Museum Information
Partial support for the exhibitions and programs at the Georgia Museum of Art is provided by the Georgia Council for the Arts through appropriations of the Georgia General Assembly. The council is a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Individuals, foundations and corporations provide additional museum support through their gifts to the University of Georgia Foundation. The Georgia Museum of Art is located in the Performing and Visual Arts Complex on the East Campus of the University of Georgia. The address is 90 Carlton Street, University of Georgia, Athens, Ga. 30602-6719. For more information, including hours, see www.georgiamuseum.org or call 706/542-GMOA (4662).
