The Door

the last time i encountered a fashion short film that i wanted to watch and that could maintain my attention was the amazing prada short, “a therapy”, with roman polanski. i couldn’t get enough of it and i kept watching it over and over just to enjoy roman get lost in his client’s long, heavy and plush fur prada coat.

along with prada, i’m a big fan of miu miu – on the runway and more recently on screen. miu miu has been releasing short films for the last couple of years under the umbrella of “the women’s tales series” which are commissioned shorts directed by women from all over the world and of course include a highlight of their boss fashion. for their beautiful fifth installment, “the door”, which is directed by ava duVernay, the first black woman to win the best director prize at sundance film festival, gabrielle union, who stars as the lead, alfre woodard, adepero oduye, emayatzy corinealdi and goapele are put on stunning display for nine minutes of beautiful, music-filled story telling.

this short is a story of heart-break, understanding, support, sisterhood and beauty and embodies a message that is not heard often enough and on a platform that melanges both fashion and film in a way that is very poignant and beautiful. throughout the film, each of the women show up at gabrielle’s door to support her as she faces the challenge of healing herself from the pain of her failed engagement. in the end, it’s gabrielle who walks out of the door on her own to face the beauty of promise and hope in her continuing future.

“in the film, characters arrive at the door of a friend in need, bringing something of themselves. eventually, we witness our heroine ready to walk through the door on her own. the door in the film represents a pathway to who we are.” – ava duVernay

the music is perfectly placed ans sourced and is the binding cord in this film. the soundtrack is amazing and if you can get your hands on each of these songs, they make for wonderful downloads. you can find the sources to all the beautiful music in the end credits.

“clothing is also a symbol of renewal, each change of costume charting our heroine’s emergence from a chrysalis of sadness. in the final scenes, she takes off her ring, pulls on long, black leather gloves, and walks, transformed by the emotive power of the clothing, through the door.” – miu miu

music, fashion, film and wonderful african-american talent. what’s not to love about ava’s inspiring story that transcends the idea that genuine sisterhood bonds are rarely made and easily broken.

Photography: Brigitte Lacombe for Miu Miu