A24’s ‘How Directors Dress’ Spotlights On-Set Style
The film studio’s latest book turns the camera on the people behind it.
A24 has released a new book titled How Directors Dress, which explores fashion behind the camera and the “uniforms” that directors wear during long days on set, from Sofia Coppola’s signature button-up shirts to Hayao Miyazki’s famed aprons and Spike Lee’s familiar cap-and-jacket combo.
The book brings on multiple film and fashion professionals for this collective deep dive with a foreword by director Joanna Hogg, writing from knowledgeable fashion journalists and style writers and even an afterword by designer Yohji Yamamoto. The book also features over 200 archival photographs accompanied by passages explaining the unique backstories.
Frederico Fellini is shown contrasting his 1969 movie, Fellini Satyricon by showing up to set in a cardigan, button down and tie while his actor wears a costume consisting of only briefs. Another photo shows Elaine May plucked from the screen and sitting behind the camera as she directs fully dressed as the character she also played in the 1971 film, A New Leaf. Other photos include John Carpenter dressed in an N-3B parka out of necessity when filming in a harsh winter climate for The Thing and Euzhan Palcy wearing a bold, bright red button-down paired with gold jewelry when she had nothing to prove and could embrace her personal style on the set of Siméon.
Besides its critically acclaimed films, A24 has carved out an impressive merchandise business — from clothing to decor and books — in recent years thanks to its strong IPs and loyal fans Other books in its catalog include Beauty of the Beast, which focuses on special effects makeup, and film-specific books that provide a deep dive into the world of projects like Ladybird or Midsommar by showcasing their scripts and special behind the scenes content.
How Directors Dress retails for $40 USD and is available on A24’s website.
