There were tons of great video content that was released this week and last, from Apple to Business of Fashion – especially for those that love watching interviews with visionaries and business leaders, tutorials and short docs. So turn off that crappy reality TV and snuggle up to your tablet, smart phone or laptop – and get into the best programming on the internet – well, at least within the last two weeks!
1. SHOWStudio: In Fashion – Matthew Williams Uncut
The most exciting video came from SHOWStudio, the brain child of Nick Knight, where their resident fashion editor, Lou Stoppard interviewed creative director Matthew Williams in an uncanny setting. The interviewer and interviewee are not within eye’s view of one another, a la Blind Date dating show style, revealing both the authenticity and transparency that can only come through when you’re speaking to someone without seeing them while being video taped. It was pretty cool to hear about Williams’ creative direction and styling processes of past clients like Kanye West and Lady GaGa – and the politics that are involved. Not to mention, where he see’s creativity over fashion going in the near future – and of course, he’s contributions to ‘of-the-moment’ cult brand Been Trill.
2. Apple: 1.24.14
Yes, I am undoubtedly an Apple fanatic. I believe in the product and I believe in the culture – so I was happy to see their newest video celebrating the 30th anniversary of Macintosh. The entire video was shot on an iPhone 5S in one day in multiple locations around the world. Sure, it’s beautifully shot, very well done but what’s even more interesting to me is watching the behind the scenes video of how the video was produced to get the final product of the 1.24.14 video. Dozens of people in the crew, the most sophisticated of film equipment, exotic locales and an assumable lofty budget that really can do wonders for a short film shot on an iPhone 5S.
3. Free People Presents: Spark
As someone that is equally a consumer and writer that often caters to brand marketer (see my stuff on FC), I care about brands creating good content and strong relationships with their customers. I love that Free People always produces top-level content that doesn’t force the brand or product in your face. It’s always tasteful, thoughtful and totally in line with what the customer expects from the Free People brand. Just in time for V-Day, FP has released their newest short film titled “Spark” with beautiful boys and girls that find love in the unlikeliest of places.
4. Fresh Off the Boat: Shanghai (Part 1-3)
What’s not to say about Eddie Huang and his show on Vice “Fresh Off the Boat” – it’s venturous, informing and entertaining. But this three part episode of Eddie and his film crew in Shanghai gives an even more intimate glance at Eddie’s passions about food and his own culture. Check out episodes 1, 2, & 3.
5. Business of Fashion: Inside Net-A-Porter’s Strategy for Porter Magazine
I love what Net-A-Porter does. They are leaders in the digital space and is certainly not limited to the fashion sector either. With Natalie Massenet at the helm, Net-A-Porter is a trail blazer of innovation and it’s exciting to hear their newest venture of the printed Porter Magazine that takes the digital brand offline and into the physical world, so that anyone, at any price point can have a piece of the Net-A-Porter lifestyle. Iman from Business of Fashion sits down with Natalie, Lucy Yeomans (Porter’s EIC) and publishing director Tess Macleod Smith to get into the nuts and bolts of what makes Porter Magazine – the most covetable physical magazine for strong women in the digital age. See the full interview, here.
6. Kiss Curls / Baby Hair Edges How To | ASOS Hair
ASOS is so kick ass for doing a tutorial like this. It’s so micro-trend that other companies but not have picked up on it. Not ASOS, they have their finger on the pulse for what the people what and apparently what people want is to learn how to make kiss curls of their own a la British recording artist Twigs. If the kiss curls is not really your thing, check out their other video on getting real deal pastel lips.
*Honorable Mentions: VFILES MADE F/W 2014 Documentary and Whiteout | Bill Cunningham | New York Times.