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Film is the New Runway
Film is the new runway
Fanshawe’s creative industry programs are taking a winning approach to fashion filmmaking.
Since 2006, Fashion Design students at Fanshawe have held an annual runway show called UNBOUND to showcase their work. When the 2020 show was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, faculty and students looked at new, innovative ways to present their designs.
In collaboration with students in the Advanced Filmmaking, Music Industry Arts and Visual Effects and Editing for Contemporary Media programs, they began exploring the growing trend of fashion films to accompany their collection presentations.
says Loren Couto, sustainable fashion professor and creative director of UNBOUND. “What emerged was a powerful sustainable fashion digital experience.”
The first film, 2020’s UNBOUND Revival, was well received in the industry; it was screened at the Forest City Film Festival and won the award for Best Student Film at the Canadian International Fashion Film Festival (CANIFFF).
In 2021, the film rosetta.exe explored the role science, design, technology and the arts can play in fostering connections during a time of isolation and loneliness. It received international attention with screenings at the Rome International Fashion Film Festival and La Jolla International Fashion Film Festival.
“One = People + Planet” film artwork
An Ojibwe-language film, One = People + Planet, premiered in 2022. It is a collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous filmmakers and fashion designers. The film was named an official selection at a number of international fashion film festivals and received nominations from CANIFFF and the Croatia Fashion Film Festival.
“Fanshawe is a leader in sustainable fashion design, and the films we produce showcase the professional level of creative talents across different programs at the College,” says Loren. “The art of storytelling is a powerful way to educate and inspire social and environmental change.”
