Jason Last Interview

An abundance of meaning may be concentrated into one picture. A whale of thoughts can be expressed by an image. The same as with a movement. By putting motion into static pictures, new perspectives open up for the viewer and for the artist as well.

With the current interlocking of fashion and movie, one of the most exciting new trends was born recently. It has evolved in front of our eyes into an entirely new media, a new form of visiual art, by creating an autonomous genre, fashion video.

I was asking one of the major and most exciting talents of the genre, about his works, his vision and the characteristics of fashion video. One of Jason Last's videos was mentioned on "The top 10 fashion videos of the season" list by The Business of Fashion lately. His works for Emanuel Ungaro and Complexgeometries are "classics" already, and his signature shaded aesthetic makes his videos easily recognizable.

Lights, camera, action...

Regards, Miska

Scenes from "119" film by Jason Last, styling and photography by Fabien Montique petrified and mirrored by Miska.

JASON LAST INTERVIEW

Miska
- Tell me your story, how did you become a "fashion video artist"? Do you only create fashion-related short films, or are you interested in experimenting on other fields of motion picture as well?

Jason Last
- I’ve always had a very strong connection to sound and moving image, and the emotion it can carry, or the story it can tell.

Fashion film is something that has come out of my passion for video and filmmaking, as well as my love of fashion imagery. It is a combination of both things and is derived from my mind and sensibility as an artist, a director, and an image-maker. Fashion film combines the mediums with which I want to work and create: art, fashion, & cinema.
It was a natural progression.

For me, it is broader than just something being directly liked to the fashion industry. It is the use of fashion imagery, clothing, models, lifestyle, that can take on a cinematic form, whether it be narrative, experimental, music video, video art, or feature film. I am very open to the blurring of lines between the labels and genres that exist in film and art. I am always interested in experimenting and trying new techniques and expressions related to film and video.

"Skyburial", film by Jason Last, art direction by Jaime Rubiano

- What do you think about the growing spread of fashion videos? Do you think, that video is the future form of fashion editorials?

It’s really exciting. What an effective and beautiful way to present clothing and create fashion images. Moving images allow an audience to somehow interact with the pieces and to understand a brand or an editorial as not only image, but also sound, and dialogue, and narrative. It extends the emotional connection one can have with images. I think fashion videos have, and will continue to have, a strong presence in editorials online, etc for sure.
But yes, it is the future.

- Do you imagine static images or movements while working?

I’m always thinking of how I can push the images I am working with and the potential that exists within video.
When I am planning a shoot or coming up with an idea, it moves. That relates to the choices I make of models, clothing, etc… I’m always thinking in moving image.

"When You're a Star", film by Jason Last, art direction by Jaime Rubiano

- What are the unwritten rules of making fashion video? (Supposing there are...) What are the dedicated special ingredients of the genre?

What’s so exciting about fashion images, is that there aren’t many rules or limitations. I suppose there are trends to think about, but what I believe makes fashion interesting as an art & an industry, is that it is always changing and quite open to being pushed in different directions. Fashion welcomes a fresh and ever-changing perspective and art plays a big role in influencing that. The possibilities are kind of endless.

- As we know, fashion editorials are usually retouched before coming out in print. How much post-production is usually required to complete a video?

A lot. It varies between films, and what kind of campaign it may be, but a lot. The same rules apply to video as to photo, depending on what the desired aesthetic is. The thing about video post-production is that there are endless options, so that can mean a lot of work…





- What are your characteristics, the unique features of your works? How is the signature "Jason Last vision"?

What’s unique about my work and my vision is my perspective. I come from a fine arts, video and film background, but I am very excited and moved by fashion imagery and the depth of it’s particular history, so my work has been informed by many sources and they all meet in the video work I make.

- How is the work with models? Are they difficult to instruct for motion picture? Or there’s no difference?

It depends. But there is definitely a difference…
I’ve been lucky to work with some amazing models who understand their movements and bodies, and who follow direction very well. There is an element of acting involved in modeling, even if they never speak, and any good model understands this. I’m careful with who I work… but for the most part I’ve worked with great subjects who understand and take direction well.

- Which was your favourite, or most exciting project so far? What kind of projects do you work on currently?

The AW09 Emanuel Ungaro films were a lot of fun and a great project to be a part of. I’m working on several projects and fashion films at the moment (and always…). Also collaborations with brilliant art directors & stylists like Jaime Rubiano and Fabien Montique. Experimenting with ways to take the darkness and dramatic nature of my films to the next level.

- If you suddenly supposed to tell a memorable movie scene, what would you say?

Derek Jarman’s The Last of England… simply brilliant... from narrative to imagery.

Maya Deren comes to mind: “Meshes of the Afternoon”.

Or Godard’s Le Mépris, Bardot in the garden in blue. Stunning with that hair, those eyes and that attitude…

Or the scene from Clueless where she goes for her driving test…

- Who are your professional role models in terms of fashion, visual arts and cinema?

Too many to name…. I live for this. And I am continuously moved and influenced everyday by the lives, the stories, and the work of so much brilliance I can only aspire to.

- What are your plans for the future?

Work. And continue to grow and be present within the fashion film genre. It’s the future.

Please, do not copy or quote parts of the interview without permission!

The Ones to Watch : Adel Kovacs

I extinguish an old leeway with this post. The timing is not accidental, but first things first.

In the not so distant past, I had the pleasure to meet a really captivating young talent of textile design. Her vision was very similar to mine, and the subtle humour and freshness behind her ideas was truly refreshing.

These sincere words of mine speak of / speak to Adel Kovacs. When I asked about her inspiration, her ars poetica seemed to be all about convenience; to catch and present a really simplistic and puritan, but still meaningful face of fashion through her designs, by using unusual structural elements as ornaments on her pieces. The latest Adel Kovacs capsule collection, entitled "Lovecarpet", was built upon a naked, make-up colored strange mood, which roots from the simplicity of her stripped down silhouettes. Each piece of the collection is impregnated with the finest touch of technical expertise and unique vision.

Enough said, Adel's work is really worth to discover, and monitor really closely.

And why the timing? With her not-less-talented fellows, Adel was currently working on a showroom, which opens its door tonight.

I recommend all the worthwhile pearl fishers to steer their boats towards to the KEPP Showroom in the near future! And before I "KEPP" walking, I'll be with you tonight!

photos from Adel Kovacs

K E P P Showroom
Budapest, Vörösmarty Square. 3. / 2nd floor

Regards, Miska

I Lurve Mirrors

Please welcome my ode to individuality, engraven into fragile symmetry; a geometrically perfect, mirrored illusion.

“Love is too weak a word for what I feel — I lurve you, you know ...” - Annie Hall

photos from Garbage Dress, retouched by Miska

When I feel this stubborn itch, I just can not restrain myself. I have to rummage some beautifully arranged gardens. I'm actuated by egoistic intentions, to personalize beauty at my own pleasure. It's probably a part of the process, to give shape and figure to the visions I see on the back of my eyelids. The easiest way to multiply beauty is smashing a mirror.

This time my victim was Lurve Magazine's editorial, feautring Cole Mohr and the incredible textile garment-sculptures by Ulrik Martin Larsen. The original photos were taken and styled by Zana Bayne, author of the Garbage Dress blog.

Regards, Miska

the Room #10 - Jubilee Issue

According to my personal numerology, 10 is an especially magical number, endowed with miraculous power. It can be divided in many ways, but is an unseparable whole after all.

A very special nr. 10 comes to light tomorrow. With their jubilee issue, the constant creative team of the Room magazine allows us a sort of insight within the walls of their "room", along with guest contributors such as Alnis Stakle, Emilio Tini or Emil Rebek. With no less, than Eniko Mihalik and Kinga Rajzak on two different covers. On about 200 pages... I think this is a very respectable weight for a newborn.

photos from the Room #10

I am waiting you, as a Messiah. On your way, be accompanied by my blessing. Tomorrow night...

Regards, Miska

Ash Metal

As I dig deeper and deeper in the dense mass of fall's menswear editorials, I feel condensing boredom, when any of the studded Prada pieces lodge into my eyes on every second picture.
However, I don't dispute that the above-mentioned numbers are undoubtedly the "heavyweight editorial champions" of this autumn, those pins only stab my hunger for the excitement of diversity already.

Enough cawing, the situation is not hopeless at all. Just add a bit of movement, dramatic edge, and Ash Stymest to the monochrome styling and the result will be rather more fascinating than the slowly rusting leaves and nails.

"Tonight the stars hang vividly..."
Motion editorial featuring Ash Stymest for Metal #17 Issue by Antonina Obrado / Ferrater Studio.

Regards, Miska

September Issue(s)

by Joachim Mueller Ruchholtz for Contributing Editor, mirrored by me

September is a riot of new directions, new ways without number to choose. This lashing of novelties confused me in the past weeks, and took my beloved words away. It's a complicated feeling, when there's so much to say that one idea cancels the other, and finally the labyrinth of thoughts becomes so tangled, that it ropes bound the voice.

I'm still numb, but started to figure out where to turn my head. The compass rose sheds its petals already. Autumn, wreathe your arms round my neck and whisper in my ear!

by Steven Klein for Vogue Homme Japan #3 mirrored by me

Regards, Miska

Private Detective by Mareunrol's

A mood noir.

The veil of the night falls noiselessly on the motionless landscape. Stupor reigns in every corner of the darkness. The unknown man listens numbly to the dead silence. His eyes are burning from haze, fear numbed into boredom in his mind. Reality ravels into imagination. Hours have elapsed since then. Action twirls slowly. Glutinous, ductile dollop.

Film noir is a bunch of confused moments, strung on straggly stills. A whole story concentrated in one black and white picture.

With the advent of the evening, I accidentally ran into an inteview with a Latvian designer duo. The article was illustrated with surreal moody photos, which intrigued me immediately.

I looked up the designers, like a good private detective and found many interesting and inspirational features about them.

They are Mareunrol's Marite Mastina and Rolands Peterkops, double winners of the Festival d'Hyéres in 2009. Their award winning collection, "Private Detective" was inspired by film noir, gangster and detective stories, and was represented with an impressive short film, directed by Latvian video artist, Kristine Kursiaa.

photos by Kaspars Lielgalvis from I Love Fake Spring/Summer '09

For the "Private Detective" short film noir, visit Mareunrol's website. And let's start to memorize the names of the Riga-based duo, I sniff rare excitement associated with them.

Regards, Miska

Autumn Breakfast

Sometimes there are no legs left to stand on, or at least the way runs out from under your feet. It happens. It happened.
After the monotonous days of the past summer, the realization came so sudden, autumn is here, again.

My favourite term of the year, with the ticklingly abundance of colors, lights and options. I'm galvanized by the inconsistency of the upcoming season inevitably. So many new trends, directions have started to emerge in menswear, like never before. No doubt, we live in the age of the great discoveries regarding mens's fashion. I personally hope, this stays a tendency, and not just a passing fancy.

"And yet, beyond, the trees already wave their golden arms to me" - but I will remain close this time.

The featured photos were taken by Thomas Lohr, fashion editor Kim Howells, helmet by Alun Davies. The originals can be found at Contributing Editor, the ones featured here are retouched by me.

Regards, Miska

Aerial by Julia Kim & Bart Kiggen

The '09 collection of Julia Kim was inspired by urbanism and aerial photography, so was Bart Kiggen, who created a short movie to accompany the presentation.

In keywords: vestment-like outfits, razor sharp structures, irresistible details; with this collection the promising designer from Antwerp reiterated, and even outshone her previous ones.
Broad perspectives, unearthly calmness and motionless gestures, planes, windmills and the Milky Way as regard Bart Kiggels's interpretation.
Typical instance of a well-thought-out cooperation, impressive.

Here, you can find a previously published interview I made with Julia Kim about her preceding collection.


Regards, Miska

Topman AW'09 "Wilderness" Necklace

photo from Topman "Wilderness" AW'09

A new kind of passion is in the rollout phase. The latest and sorely needed object of my desires is this piece from the Fall collection of Topman. I was never really in favor of jewels, but recently, this claim has began to revaluate in me. Perhaps Mr T's heavy blings in the "A Team", or Ricardo Tisci's Givenchy Homme accessories lit a spark in my head.

However I feel untameable thirst to get hold of this wondrously austere but excrescently complex necklace.

Like a clutch of metal snakes, entwine my neck and embrace my chest...

Regards, Miska