Private Project

The Style of illusion


"Fashion is art, and fashion thus sets (style) standards. As the mirror that leads people to open themselves in new areas, new imaginary categories, fashion is also what allows something or someone to feel right as it is. In fact, fashion has a performative power – What does it means? Simply that without some magazines putting on their covers minorities, racial or sexual, these won’t be promoted as acceptable.

When it comes to speak about diversity and minority, the fashion world definitely enhance their esthetic value- yet, white models are still the figurehead of the project. Collections can be inspired by continents and countries, but they will be presented with none of their people.

The Style of Illusion illustrates a saying about the matter of cultural appropriation. How fashion can be seen as a performance to cover our weaknesses, the desire of being someone else. How pop culture affects us. Is the reflection in the mirror right? "

Also you could add the credits:

Directed and Produced by Maria Millan
Models: Lottie and Zahra from Bookings London.
Camara: Antoine Gourlez
Editor: Julien Camarroque
Production assistant: Antonio Curcetti
Styling: Maria Millan
Styling Assistant: Dariuz
Make Up: Magda Skoczylas
Hair: Toshinaru Kokubun
Runner: Charlyne Larue

  • Maria Millan
    Director
    The Refuge
  • Maria Millan
    Writer
    The Refuge
  • Maria Millan
    Producer
    The Refuge
  • Lotty Benson
    Key Cast
  • Zahra Gobir
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Experimental
  • Runtime:
    1 minute 57 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 16, 2017
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Maria Millan

Maria Millan’s Biography.
Maria Millan is a Venezuelan born British fashion photographer and film director. She holds a BA in Communications and Arts and has a background in film and television commercials where she used to design and build sets.
Millan moved to London in 2011 and started working as a Production Designer for different production houses and shooting stills for numerous English and American magazines as well as working closely with designers.
Her work has been featured in Vogue Italia, Fruk Magazine, Funckin' Young, Jute, Eclectic Magazine among others.
In 2012 Millan was selected to be part of an art residency at the prestigious organisation “District 789” in Beijing, China, that ended with an installation about synesthesia in the ‘Contemporary Art Fair 2012’ in China. Additionally, her images have been included in the ‘Story of Creativity’ (2012) and ‘Creative’s rising’ (2013) exhibitions in New York City.
Last year, Millan was invited to be part of a panel within London Fashion Week SS18 discussing the role of Creatives in the Fashion Industry.
She also shot a short film titled "The Refuge" where she directed actress Lujza Richter Hugo (Phantom Tread), and Demi Hannah Scott (ShowStudio) that now is being distributed internationally by Shorts International.
The Refuge is also part of the official selection of the Philadelphia Women’s Film Festival in the US, L’Etrange Film Festival in Paris, and won an award as “Best Short” in the Social Machinery Film Festival in Italy.
“The Style of Illusion” one of her Fashion Films published by Fruk magazine is now part of the LA Fashion Film Festival and Fashion Films RD in Dominican Republic.
Millan is usually the creative director for her shoots but she also likes to dress the set and takes the time to direct her actors/ models.
Maria Millan aims with her work to call attention to the role of women within the society especially in the filmmaking industry.

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