In honour of the six finalists of the 2021 International Woolmark Prize, Saint Heron, the multidisciplinary platform, studio and creative agency established by Solange Knowles, conceptualizes a short film to celebrate the act of creation.
The International Woolmark Prize and Saint Heron Agency present Passage – a motion portraiture and celebration of the six 2021 International Woolmark Prize finalists. The film presents the final Woolmark Prize collection looks from Bethany Williams, Casablanca, Kenneth Ize, LECAVALIER, Matty Bovan and THEBE MAGUGU. The short film features an ensemble cast of rising musical talent and legendary figures including 5x Grammy Award-winning artist Dionne Warwick; actress, model and author, Dominique Jackson; the exciting and eclectic young rapper, singer and songwriter, SahBabii; soulful songstress and producer, Joi; and one of music’s most exciting new voices and Pitchfork-ranked best new music of 2020 singer, multi-instrumentalist and producer, KeiyaA.
Created by Solange Knowles for Saint Heron Agency, and Directed by McArthur Award-winning director Wu Tsang, the film also draws from the masterful styling of Ib Kamara and an original score by Standing on The Corner.
Since its inception, the International Woolmark Prize has awarded and incubated some of the most era-defining fashion designers, from Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent to Giorgio Armani, Donna Karan and Ralph Lauren. Celebrating the 2021 International Woolmark Prize finalists, Saint Heron empowers the collections’ voices through a theatrical voyage where the stage is set for each finalist’s designs to have a life, and voice, of their own. Passage is a deeply thoughtful exploration of sustainability, and the stages of creation: contemplation, courage, optimism, vulnerability, discipline and strength. Through six acts of concentrated motion between stage, nature and surrealism, the film echoes themes of conjuring and ceremonious celebrations, and creates abstraction to embody the various expressions of each designer.
WATCH THE FILM HERE
Solange Knowles said the following on Saint Heron Agency’s collaboration with the 2021 International Woolmark Prize:
“In continuing Saint Heron’s world making practice, Passage further explores my interest in theatrical production through the translation of identity, spirit, philosophy and creation. Whether it be through album artwork, stage design, or filmmaking, I've always sought to create new visual languages that encompass the expressions my other works cannot communicate. I’m inspired to expand these processes through the Saint Heron Agency with a wider scope of collaborations and projects. To reflect on and honour the creative process with the 2021 International Woolmark Prize finalists, Passage aligns with Saint Heron’s mission to reverence creation as life, from abstraction to being. I’ve been a long-time fan of Wu Tsang’s work and to be able to work alongside her, the Saint Heron team, and all of the incredible artists and designers in the film, really fortifies the ethos of collaboration and communal creative exchange that we wish to continue to embody.”
Wu Tsang shared:
“It’s been incredible working with Solange and the Saint Heron Agency. The collaboration between everyone involved in this project in service of these designers is something so special. Solange has such a strong, unique voice and, along with her poetic approach, used performance as a way to unify and contrast each individual look. Working across theatre and film myself, this felt like the perfect melding of everyone’s visions.”
The winner of the IWP 2021 prize will be announced on June 10th, 2021 and will be selected by an esteemed judging panel including:
- Carine Roitfeld, Founder CR Studio, CR Fashion Book and Carine Roitfeld Parfums
- Ib Kamara, Editor-in-chief, Dazed
- Shaway Yeh, Founder of yehyehyeh & Group Style Editorial Director at Modern Media group
- Sinéad Burke, Educator and advocate
- Tasha Liu, Founder, Labelhood
- Tim Blanks, Editor-at-Large, Business of Fashion
- Thom Browne, Designer
- Julie Davies, General Manager, Processing Innovation & Education Extension, The Woolmark Company
The 2021 International Woolmark Prize finalists are:
- Bethany Williams, UK
- Casablanca, France
- Kenneth Ize, Nigeria
- LECAVALIER, Canada
- Matty Bovan, UK
- Thebe Magugu, South Africa
Editor’s Notes:
Passage creative team:
Created by Solange Knowles
Directed by Wu Tsang
Creative and Art Director: Solange Knowles
Styling Director: Ib Kamara
Music Composer and Score: Gio Escobar of Standing On The Corner Art Ensemble
Executive Producer for Saint Heron Films and Beyond 8 Productions: Brittney Escovedo
Producer for Saint Heron Films: Carolyn (CC) Concepcion
Cinematographer: Ryan Marie Helfant
Movement Director: Tosh (Boychild) Basco
Lighting Designer: John Torres
Scenic Designer: Carlos Soto
Set Designer: Javier Irigoyen
Casting Director: Mischa Notcutt
Make-up Lead: Yuki Hayashi
Hair Lead: Evanie Frausto
Nails: Sunshine Outing
Still Photographer: Ibrahem Hasan
Behind The Scene Photographer: Cary Fagan
Editor: Anthony Valdez
Editor: Nicolas Sessler
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