Welcome To FILA Paradise
The exclusive FILA Paradise collection has dropped and all we want to do is turn back time and hit the slopes. We caught up on set with Creative Director Claire Arnold about her creative process and vision behind the 90s apres ski inspired shoot.
Tell us about your creative vision for the Fila Paradise X UO shoot... the collection had a 90s ski/apres ski feel to them so the visual direction was a hybrid of things in the end. I was inspired by an art project I did at school where I collated backgrounds and foregrounds from different holiday snaps I had and movement of old ski catalogues for the poses and styling. I had been following the work of the photographer Marili Andre for some time and thought this might be the perfect brief for her style. which has a premium feel with a sense of humour.
Talk us through your day and the creative process behind the shoot… everybody starts with breakfast..(important!) Then meetings with set design and art departments to finalise props for each setup. While they are prepping, I will then meet with stylists and makeup artists to set the look(s) against the concept and talent. All of these meetings are super collaborative. I always find by shoot day people should feel excited and clear on the original intention and from there it feels like an opportunity for each department to bring their own twist to the idea to take it somewhere further. The shoot is the moment an idea comes off the page. I think it’s important to stay open minded because it’s always a bit of a trial to see what works and what doesn’t in the flesh - which is part of the challenge.
What inspired your love of creative direction?
I’ve always had this impulse to create and collaborate. From a young age my sister, cousins and friends were always playing and inventing things, acting and dancing. Now as an adult, I think it now translates into a natural reaction to problem solving ideas with style and having a point of view through my creativity. A form of expression and having a voice through using your imagination.
I like the puzzle of what the job entails. I love working with different people to realise ideas, visions, goals, creating characters and entertaining people. I love nurturing new talent and creating a fun space for people to create, play, fail and grow. It’s all a big experiment for all of us and I love that.
What’s the project you’re most proud of and tell us the story behind it?
Chanel x i-D - I was fortunate to collaborate with so many incredible women at all stages of their careers. It was one of the most rewarding chapters in my career so far. We nurtured each other and pushed each other to do really exciting things in and out of our core disciplines. We encouraged each other to go out of our comfort zones and try new things. We were lucky that Chanel trusted us all and were quite selfless in terms of their role as a brand in the project. More brands need to do this. Support and trust communities to do exciting, groundbreaking things. It's what keeps the field exciting and fresh.
Talk us through your day and the creative process behind the shoot… everybody starts with breakfast..(important!) Then meetings with set design and art departments to finalise props for each setup. While they are prepping, I will then meet with stylists and makeup artists to set the look(s) against the concept and talent. All of these meetings are super collaborative. I always find by shoot day people should feel excited and clear on the original intention and from there it feels like an opportunity for each department to bring their own twist to the idea to take it somewhere further. The shoot is the moment an idea comes off the page. I think it’s important to stay open minded because it’s always a bit of a trial to see what works and what doesn’t in the flesh - which is part of the challenge.
What inspired your love of creative direction?
I’ve always had this impulse to create and collaborate. From a young age my sister, cousins and friends were always playing and inventing things, acting and dancing. Now as an adult, I think it now translates into a natural reaction to problem solving ideas with style and having a point of view through my creativity. A form of expression and having a voice through using your imagination.
I like the puzzle of what the job entails. I love working with different people to realise ideas, visions, goals, creating characters and entertaining people. I love nurturing new talent and creating a fun space for people to create, play, fail and grow. It’s all a big experiment for all of us and I love that.
What’s the project you’re most proud of and tell us the story behind it?
Chanel x i-D - I was fortunate to collaborate with so many incredible women at all stages of their careers. It was one of the most rewarding chapters in my career so far. We nurtured each other and pushed each other to do really exciting things in and out of our core disciplines. We encouraged each other to go out of our comfort zones and try new things. We were lucky that Chanel trusted us all and were quite selfless in terms of their role as a brand in the project. More brands need to do this. Support and trust communities to do exciting, groundbreaking things. It's what keeps the field exciting and fresh.
What advice would you give young aspiring creatives?
Play, experiment, collaborate. No matter what stage you are at in your career. It’s super exciting to find like minded (or not) people and put your ideas, experiences and feelings together. Take pictures, run club-nights, start a movie club, make short films. Be curious and get your hands making things. Work without moodboards - sometimes it's fun to follow your collective instincts.
SPOTLIGHT: Name 3 up and coming creatives we should follow and who you want to share the spotlight with…
• Sheree Jordan @x_sjourdan is a hairstylist I work with on my projects with the Artist Gloria @glorias.land. She has such bold and amazing vision and technical skills. I love love love working with her and her team.
• Nailart is my lockdown ASMR. I used to do so many designs growing up as a kid and at school. I love @dahouseofphalanges amongst many other talented artists out there. They currently have a fundraiser to create a Beauty Arts Academy of Diversity, you can donate here GOFUNDME
• @grubbercommunity Amazing plant exchange initiative by my friend Jess in lockdown. Really goes to show creativity and community doesn’t always have to cost ££. Jess is an amazing artist also check out her work too @JessicaTremaine
Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given… Just do it.
Play, experiment, collaborate. No matter what stage you are at in your career. It’s super exciting to find like minded (or not) people and put your ideas, experiences and feelings together. Take pictures, run club-nights, start a movie club, make short films. Be curious and get your hands making things. Work without moodboards - sometimes it's fun to follow your collective instincts.
SPOTLIGHT: Name 3 up and coming creatives we should follow and who you want to share the spotlight with…
• Sheree Jordan @x_sjourdan is a hairstylist I work with on my projects with the Artist Gloria @glorias.land. She has such bold and amazing vision and technical skills. I love love love working with her and her team.
• Nailart is my lockdown ASMR. I used to do so many designs growing up as a kid and at school. I love @dahouseofphalanges amongst many other talented artists out there. They currently have a fundraiser to create a Beauty Arts Academy of Diversity, you can donate here GOFUNDME
• @grubbercommunity Amazing plant exchange initiative by my friend Jess in lockdown. Really goes to show creativity and community doesn’t always have to cost ££. Jess is an amazing artist also check out her work too @JessicaTremaine
Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given… Just do it.