09.19.16
Vanity Fair Italia: Behind the Scenes with Creative Director, Devin Pedzwater
SPD: Tell us about Vanity Fair Italia's latest fashion issue.
Devin Pedzwater: We collaborated with visionary director Nicolas Winding Refn (Drive, The Neon Demon) to photograph a unique feature for the first of four September issues (we're weekly!). The concept was for Nicolas to create an extra chapter of The Neon Demon - his recently acclaimed psychological horror film, a dark journey through the cruel, beauty-obsessed world of fashion. As a setting we moved into a (probably already haunted) villa just outside Rome for four days and invited eighteen young Italian actresses to play the roles. The result is a 44-page cinematic fashion spread with top designers like Prada, Chanel and Gucci.
SPD: What was the collaboration process with Nicolas Winding Refn on the "Night at the Villa" story like?
DP: For me, it was the first time working with a film director in this context. And for Nicolas, it was the first time shooting an editorial story. Both of us were working in new creative territory which is why I think the result is so special. He brought with him a team of super-talented collaborators, including Natasha Braier, the director of photography on The Neon Demon and Joseph Bennett, a production artist who has designed all the fashion shows for Alexander McQueen. It was a thrill working with Nicolas because he has a strong vision, but also encouraged collaboration and creative problem solving. For example, we decided to shoot the cover image - a 4-page gatefold featuring thirteen actresses - in the villa's abandoned pool at night instead of relocating to a studio in Rome. The pool was a challenge to light and shoot, but it worked better to establish the overall theme. Nicolas was open to any any all ideas, but once he decided on a direction he was uncompromising on making certain the image was perfect. We were all on a creative high working through 18-hour days fueled by adrenaline and espresso so none of us wanted to stop.
SPD: What's next for Vanity Fair Italia?
DP: Now I'm working on "Il Demone della Bellezza", an exhibition to be unveiled in Milan during fashion week which will feature special oversized prints of the images as well as a short film I developed with Nicolas and his team in Copenhagen.