In a way, Sofia Coppola's works have served as a major source of inspiration for this blog. While Sofia is most well known as a film maker, she is also an accomplished designer, actress, photographer and a longstanding muse of several top fashion houses. So here is a small homage to a woman who has given so many people so much inspiration through film, photography and design.
Coppola's 2006 film Marie Antoinette is undoubtedly my favorite, I couldn't imagine Rococo and Caffeine existing without this film having predated it. As women are still highly underrepresented as directors in Hollywood, I personally appreciate that her films do reflect a feminine perspective - be that in the stories she tells, the characters she writes and the overall styling of her films. Outside of her films, some of her best known work is the ad campaigns for Miss Dior Cherie.
The 2008 version of the ad starring Maryna Linchuk
2011 version starring Natalie Portman
Both ads capture a dreamy Parisian lifestyle perfectly, but I personally prefer the original version. I don't think Natalie Portman will mind that, as she'll probably be winning an Academy Award this weekend.
Sofia has also had a great deal of success with her own line of clothing, Milkfed, which is only available in Japan. Beyond her own label, Sofia has also collaborated with close friend Marc Jacobs with accessories for Marc Jacobs, Marc by Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton. Her shoes and leather goods for Vuitton are absolutely divine, reinterpreting classic shapes like the Speedy handbag in rich colored leathers.
Finally, Sofia is also a muse. Marc Jacobs has used her as a model for his perfume, Daisy, as well as Marc Jacobs handbags. Sofia is also the face of the Francis Ford Coppola Wineries as well as having a sparkling wine named after her. I was given a bottle of the Sofia Blanc de Blancs when I turned 21 from my mother, so perhaps I am influenced by my mother's good taste in saying I thought it was a very good introduction to wine. Here's hoping Sofia will continue to inspire and create more lovely things!
