'My Brillant Friend' Star Gaia Girace and Salvatore Ferragamo Find 'A Future Together'
The actress stars in the brand's Fall/Winter 2021 campaign film "A Future Together," directed by Academy Award winner Wim Wenders.
As the fall leaves change colors and drop to the ground, there's a sense of new life in the air. Salvatore Ferragamo's Fall/Winter 2021 campaign follows the same line of thinking, utilizing film to visualize the theme of new horizons and possibilities that characterize the accompanying collection through the lens of Hollywood glamour.
My Brilliant Friend actress Gaia Girace stars in "A Future Together," a short film shot by award-winning director Wim Wenders that follows two crew members on a movie set as they sneak amorous glances between takes. Girace plays the film-within-a-film's director while her love interest is played by Swedish musician/model Felix Sandman.
Set in Milan's CityLife complex, "A Future Together" embraces futuristic elements with color and vibrancy. From the bold garments of Salvatore Ferragamo's Fall/Winter 2021 collection to Wenders' energetic vision behind the lens, the film seamlessly presents the collection and the future with a positivity that celebrates the uncertainty of what's to come.
“Developing a positively energetic story inside the framework of a futuristic setting is a challenge at a time when the future is generally regarded as bleak and dystopian," said Wenders about the creative process behind the film. "But sometimes, when the cards are stacked up against you and you have to fight many obstacles, the result can achieve an extra aura of beauty. This was definitely the case at our Ferragamo shoot. Not only did the sun break through the gray sky of Milan, so that the futuristic sites could show their best potential, but also our two young stars were luminous and enchanted. Most of all the collection, when it was finally revealed and worn by the actors, turned out more radiant and spectacular than in our wildest dreams."
For Girace's part, the Italian actress brought a youthful optimism to the role that further extended the elemental alignment of Wenders' vision. L'OFFICIEL spoke to the 17-year-old about her time working on the project as well as how her own career in front of the camera prepared her for this new challenge.
L'OFFICIEL: What made you agree to take part in Ferragamo's "A Future Together" campaign? What was it like working with Wim Wenders and Felix Sandman?
Gaia Girace: I’m still starting out as an actress. Getting a call from a company like Ferragamo, which represents Italian excellence in the world, was naturally a source of great pride and joy.
Even more so because it was Wim Wenders, an acclaimed global cinema icon, directing me in this fashion movie “A Future Together.” Some of his movies are masterpieces of cinematic history and I’m aware that I’ve been given an amazing opportunity.
We only spent a few days on set, but I will always have the indelible memory of a silent, thoughtful, highly professional man able to grasp every nuance of the personality and gestures of his actresses and actors.
Felix is pure energy, really fun. He helped me with English and I taught him words in Italian, which he enjoyed repeating on a loop. We talked about what we’d done and what we’d like to do, we joked around… In those few days, we had fun and I think you can tell that during the short movie.
L'O: This campaign highlights fashion’s relationship with film. As an actress, how important is a character’s wardrobe to get into the role?
GG: Crucial. The character is what they wear. The costume is the most powerful and immediate presentation of the character and expresses their inner being. Just think about the importance of costumes in certain films like Sex and the City. You may not remember the plot, but you can’t forget their clothes and shoes!
L'O: How would you define your personal style and how does it fit into the Ferragamo canons?
GG: I love fashion and create a different look every day. I don’t like homogenization and I always try to create my own style. I think that clothes reflect a person’s personality and define them, but the opposite is also true: a strong personality brings out the best in what someone’s wearing, and in this, I find a link with Ferragamo fashion, timeless pieces that ooze elegance and style.
L'O: What are your plans for the immediate future? Can you give us a spoiler?
GG: I’m going to carry on working in cinema, always respecting school commitments and not neglecting my private life. Once I’ve got my high school diploma, I’ll decide which road to take. There are still so many things to experience!