Behind the scenes of Arcadia was in fact Arcadia itself

I had an amazing opportunity this summer to work with a great group of inspiring ladies on a short film featuring my Spring 14 collection.  I planned and prepared with directors Sarah Sophie Flicker and Maximilla Lukacs for the weeks leading up to the shoot, developing the story and working out all of the logistics of shooting a film on the North Fork of Long Island with a cast and crew of 20 coming from NYC.  We lured our cast members, Emily Theobald, Hannah Metz, Carlen Altman, and Andrea Estella to the filming location with promises of good company, good food, and a breathtaking location. We also enlisted set designer Chelsea Maruskin to help enhance the location, making LI feel tropical and exotic, reminiscent of paintings by Gauguin or Rosseau and director of photography Ashley Connor to capture it all the old fashioned way, on 16mm film. We also had hair stylist Travis Speck and makeup wiz James Boehmer to enhance our beauties, and photographer Agnes Thor and artist pal Landon Metz taking pictures to document it all.

Then we got our footage back, and with some editing magic by Maximilla and a little voice over by Tennessee Thomas, the project came together beyond my wildest dreams. The resulting film, titled "Arcadia", debuted during New York fashion week, and you can go over to Refinery 29 to watch.... 

...But the magic also happened behind the scenes. Check out the photos by Agnes Thor.

 The main set piece for the film was a raft built by my husband, Patrick for the voyage part of the story. It took a big crew to get it to the shores of the Long Island Sound.

 Our co-director Maximilla Lukacs was so excited that it worked, that she hopped right on to take it for a spin.

Co-director Sarah Sophie Flicker calling the shots on set

 The whole crew on set for the first shots

 Emily Theobald, our star is ready for her voyage

 Stylist and star Hannah Metz adjusting one of her flower crowns on co-star Andrea Estella's violet colored hair

 Our amazing Director of Photography, Ashley Connor, shooting 16mm in the digital age.

 Hannah Metz placing our little mermaid for her big scene.

 Co-star, Carlen Altman is so excited to hear that Ashley got the shot

 Flower crowns required for cast AND crew

 Everyone pitched in to inspire the cast

Our amazing cast and crew!