Interview: Matthew Frost On His New "Fashion Film"

As his name suggests, Matthew Frost is kind of frosted, and it’s probably why he’s such a crafty film maker. Midway between Wes Anderson for his scenery taste and Woody Allen for his silly sense of humor, he likes to create a “conversation” relating his characters to the spectators.

His last video, called “Fashion Film” is increasingly spreading on the Internets, and ravished us by its ability to prettily caricature nowadays flower child goddesses with tomfoolery and subtlety.

Above all, the Californian Venus Chelsea Schuchman, model of our Spring-Summer 2013 postcard-lookbook, is starring in it, acting opposite Lizzy Caplan, the “Fashion Film” heroin!

We interviewed him about his work’s insights, motivations, sources of inspiration and how he would portray the Maison Kitsuné Parisian girl.

Read his witty answers and watch his “Fashion Film” below!

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Would you define yourself as an outsider fashion film maker? 

Not sure what an outsider fashion film maker would be! But it sounds pretty edgy and cool. I’ll take it! But I would just consider myself someone who likes to make things, talk and have a laugh.


Could you tell us how did you find your way?

Oh not I’ve really found anything! Trust me, I’ve forced myself to keep moving forward no matter how tentative and distracted I can be. But finding what and how you like to say things is the most fun part of anything creative. It’s a windy road. I just kind of quoted Oasis.

Your favorite director?

One guy is hard and a bunch is hard too without sounding like a “film buff” dick! I like people who can make things look good, be funny and relatable or personal on some level. Woody (ndlr: Allen), Alexander Payne and oh here’s a cool one: Rosse Mc Elwee. I love “Sherman’s March”. And the co-bro’s obvi!

Anna de Rijk, Ashley Smith, Lizzy Caplan, Chelsea Schuchman… You have numerous muses! Women inspire you particularly?

That is indeed a good list of gals! I did grow up in a household full of women having four sisters… And there is a combination of fragility and strength that I like and feel comfortable around, maybe. But I’m quickly bending into some kind of psychoanalytical mumble jumble! It’s probably as simple as: all these girls are amazing and slammin too, so I was just glad to hang around for a minute! Or: ok fine. I made these films just to meet hot chicks!

Each of your film is a sophisticated parody. What do you want to say through this sweet irony?

Well thanks for the “sophisticated”! If that means that they look good, that’s great! I think that it’s just fun to juxtapose styles and genres in order to express something that was in your head at some point. I direct a lot of commercials so it teaches you to be specific and to the point. The ability to execute and idea, even a dumb one, is what’s interesting. I guess when you repeat that process, especially with stuff you’ve written, you start to get a sense of what you’re overall style is and maybe, hopefully, through that there’s something that stays with people. It’s that conversation that’s exciting to have.

What’s your opinion on nowadays fashion films?

There are many talented people who work in fashion but I am frustrated with the films put out sometimes. They take themselves so seriously and maybe I don’t feel like there’s enough of that “conversation” I just mentioned. It’s also skewed by the fact that there are so many films being made, with all kind of great and relatively accessible equipment that makes you look really good. It’s a great platform for a wide variety of people to get into filmmaking. Photographers, art directors, stylists of all ages and levels of experience are getting opportunities and taking chances, so in that sense it’s a great time for short format films in general.

Do you think fashion shouldn’t rhyme with solemnity?

I understand that need brands have to bring an aura of seriousness and formality around their products. They are catering to people who are willing to pay extra, a lot extra, to feel like they belong to that something the brand has invested a lot in: their identity… But it doesn’t mean I personally think it’s fun or inspiring most of the time. People accept it. It’s fashion, “people love that shit”! It’s just nice to have fun with it every once and a while. But I do think that if some brands feel they can keep their identity and also have a bit of fun whilst selling at the same time they would be into that. So hopefully fashion will be rhyming with solemnity less and less!


How would you portray the Maison Kitsuné Parisian girl?  

Well first of all it’s ok that she does all these things, has many interests like the brand has, it’s great to be multi talented! I’m personally shit at music so I’m already jealous of her! I have so many girlfriends who always play the same kind of nymphy chick in so many videos but are the funnest, funniest, wittiest girls I know. They just never get the chance to express the way they actually are in real life. So I’d love to hear the Kitsuné Parisian girl talk some trash a bit! I know she can probably do it in French, Japanese and English!

Follow Matthew Frost on his blog!

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