NEW YORK — Julia Restoin Roitfeld is getting behind the lens, making her directorial debut with a fashion film for Stuart Weitzman as part of the footwear brand’s ongoing short-film series.
Roitfeld’s entry, titled “Rock Roll Ride,” is the first by a female director for the series, which has included directors James Franco, Balthazar Klarwein and Nino Muñoz. “When we started the creative process for our film series this season, we wanted to work with a female director whose artistic vision was aligned with our brand aesthetic,” Weitzman said. “Julia’s body of work is impressive, and we knew she would capture the spirit of Stuart Weitzman through a unique vantage point.”
Roitfeld, daughter of Carine Roitfeld, currently oversees her own blog, Romyandthebunnies.com, as well as various projects as an art director, photographer and model. Though she had never worked with film as a medium, Roitfeld quickly agreed to the project. “As much as I was intimidated, I jumped on the opportunity,” she said. “I’ve worked as a creative director, but I’ve never directed any moving images. I was really scared and had no idea where to start.”
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Given full reign over the concept and three pairs of boots on which to focus, Roitfeld settled upon a dreamy, Sixties-inspired feel. “I have a sense of aesthetic that I like when I’m art-directing for print, which is always very feminine and sexy but never being over the top or vulgar,” she explained. “I love the Sixties aesthetic and always find inspiration there, so that was a main direction for me. Plus, the three pairs of boots they wanted me to use in the movie perfectly suited that era.”
Roitfeld called upon an old friend, Poppy Delevingne, and up-and-coming actress Dylan Penn (daughter of Sean Penn and Robin Wright) to appear in the film.
The two-minute film features the duo driving sports cars, riding bicycles and generally lounging about. The one-day shoot took place in the Hamptons. “I wanted it to feel timeless, where the setting could be any time — the Nineties, the Sixties or today,” said Roitfeld. Music plays an important role, as well, with an upbeat remix to Lana del Rey’s “Ride” playing throughout the piece.
The final product debuts today on stuartweitzman.com. A world premiere screening will be held in Paris at the Hotel Salomon de Rothschild to coincide with Paris Fashion Week.