Knot Your Typical Fashion Film

Supply&Demand Integrated Director Matt Lenski has recently completed another entertaining film initially launching online for fashion clothier and accessories shop The Corner. “Knot Yourself” is the essential “4 In-Hand” knot tutorial created for famous menswear designer Alexander Olch and his signature tie collection.

Yes, the film is sexy, playful and complete with the alluring French model, Aurélie Claudel, but don’t get your panties in a bunch. Lenski’s latest project may have all the key ingredients of a full-fledged fashion film, perfect style, and a stunning model, but there’s a curious twist: A sense of humor – a rarity in the Fashion Film genre.

Just around two minutes, “Knot Yourself” is woven with appealing techniques, humor and sexiness throughout. Fun, but classy graphics compliment the film courtesy of Supply&Demand Integrated’s sister design company ODD. Post was provided in-house as well through Supply&Demand Integrated and the music track is from Daniele Luppi, a popular Italian musician known for his cinematic quality, who recently collaborated with Danger Mouse.
 

“We were determined to make a Fashion Film with form and function. Something playful, classic, and still really cool because of this scientific fact: The only people who think they are cooler than filmmakers are people in fashion. What can I say? They have great taste!” states Lenski.
 

Lenski’s first fashion project, “Knot Yourself” is shot in sensuous black and white, playing homage to the spirit of the iconic films by Fellini and Goddard. The film is a witty and irreverent view into the mind of Alexander Olch, an intelligent man with a reputation for taking conservative and classic neckwear and injecting unconventional, modern style.
 

Filmed from Olch’s perspective, the designer shares his experience of encountering a lot of men both refined and uncultured, and that it’s not one’s appearance or connections, but rather how a man meets a challenge that truly measures who he is. A sensible premise for a film that was met with some interesting challenges of it’s own. Solely starring Claudel, Olch’s voice was pre-recorded and Claudel, who usually speaks with a deep French accent, not only gives a stellar and charming performance as Olch, but also flawlessly lip-syncs his DIY instructions. 
 

Lenski leans toward unusual character-driven themes that reveal individuality. Whether scripted or real, his work tends to be unique character explorations. His desired approach for the film was to match Olch’s manner and sophisticated lifestyle exactly, albeit with an intriguing female vixen in his place. The result is a stylish and sensible, high-caliber film with the essence of comedy, managing to hold onto the integrity of a chic and dapper fashion film.
 

“Fashion Films are one of the few places willing to take risks creatively with style. And they are being rewarded with huge numbers on-line. Love that,” says Lenski.
 

Informative and very helpful, “Knot Yourself” is delightfully indulgent and teaches a lesson that some may need or want to learn many, many times.  The film launches as part of a campaign to advertise Alexander Olch gift sets that are available through The Corner, however the tutorial will surely soon enough make it’s mark as the film is likely to be one of the most entertaining DIY virals.
 

As a director, writer and actor, Matt Lenski is known for his strong filmic timing, daring and comedic film projects. Lenski just wrapped with Gerry Graf’s latest agency venture, BFG 9000 and is currently completing a project with Richard Kirshenbaum’s new creative agency, Nue Studio Group. His robot, sex short documentary film “Meaning of Robots” is set to premiere at the upcoming Sundance Film Festival and selected for film competitions throughout the world.  He’s directed wonderfully deviant commercials for a broad range of clients and brands such as Sony Playstation, Gap, Subway, Comcast and EA Sports. He’s been credited for versatile film projects, including “F*ck New York”, a viral parody about the Presidency of George W. Bush.

His short film “Style Wars: The Musical” premiered with the "Art in the Streets" exhibit at the MOCA in Los Angeles.  Now on it’s world tour, the exhibit features paintings, mixed media sculptures and interactive installations by an unprecedented group of street artists, including Banksy and Shepard Fairey. Additionally, during his time as creative director at MTV, Lenski was responsible for numerous campaigns and critically acclaimed music videos for artists such as Band of Horses, Regina Spektor, Mark Ronson and Fall Out Boy.

 

Click on the link to view the film:
www.sdintegrated.com/content/viewVideo/Content/MattLenski/AlexanderOlch/KnotYourself

Directed by Matt Lenski of Supply&Demand Integrated

Starring Aurélie Claudel as Alexander Olch

Written by Shawn Regruto

Produced by Danielle Reisigl

Edited by Andrei Zakow

Animation by Gary Breslin of ODD

Music Supervisor Randall Poster for Search Party Music

Music Performed by Daniele Luppi

“Fashion Party” Courtesy of Rhino Entertainment

Sound Mix by Evan Mangiamele

Additional Animation by Vincent Reynaud of ODD

Coloring by Juan Salvo