Page 46 - Arts Management Magazine Iss 1

AMM INSIGHT Robert Duvall

AMM International correspondent, Nicholas Porcelli, reflects on an acting idol’s words of wisdom

Nicholas Porcelli is an actor, writer, and director. We were at a reception sponsored by a production company that produced Robert
Mr. Porcelli’s film, “Behaving Badly” was recently Duvall’s movie The Judge. We got there early, before most of the other guests ar-
screened at the Capri International Film Festival. rived, so we were just kind of standing at the bar alone. I introduced myself and
we ended up talking for a good half hour.
Among the things we talked about was the acting process, which he said he usually
doesn’t like to discuss at big parties but because I had studied for years with a
teacher whom he had worked with back in the 60s and much admired, he didn’t
mind addressing a few things about the process, and how it has changed for him
over the years. I remember one thing he said in particular.
“Back in the day, early on when I started getting parts in movies I would always
be very focused on preparing, emotionally and physically for my scene. I’d go
over and over the lines. I wouldn’t talk to anyone. Then years later I found that if
I prepared much earlier and if I had a good rehearsal, it didn’t matter what I was
doing on set before the shoot. I could be drinking coffee and talking about yester-
days game, horses, or about the weather. When I got my queue I can step in front
of the camera and I still get the same results as I did when I was starting out.”
Later I realized what I think he was saying is, “if you’ve got it, it’ll always be there.” ?

AMM SPOTLIGHT • ITALY

When Fashion Meets Art

New York Haute Couture designer wins High Art Award at La Biennale de Venice 2016

New York-based Haute Couture and black tie gala dress designer DeSoleil,
of Nolah Elan Park Avenue made history winning the Best Costumer
at LA Biennale, an award designated for the world’s top artists, which
with DeSoleil’s win now includes Couture fashion designers.
AMM: How has art inspired your approach to designing your dresses?
DeSoleil: Conception of truly artistic fashion starts in the mind. The
process of Haute Couture itself, forces one to think of the balance between
great art and wearability. From thought, to material selection, to form
and function, to execution with the artistic discipline of a Tailor’s
hand for supreme strength and attention to detail. All of the master
artists and sculptures through the ages have been reference points.
Color, the human body, nature, Modern Art in all of its broad spectrums
behooves one to hear the message of true self expression.
AMM: What is your inspiration when approaching a dress design?
DeSoleil: I design what I am feeling. The power of glamour is energy
that is conveyed into the garments and the wearer feels that syner-
gy. We make the women the star. Every Nolah Elan customer is a
Beyonce for the night. I love to construct magnificently detailed em-
bellishments that compliment the body and are sleek and extremely
wearable. The marriage of old world Parisian Haute Couture and
panache that is my birthright as a French Creole woman, merging
with new technology and fabrics. ?

Designs - DeSoleil for Nolah Elan Park Ave, Photograph - @seesantana

46 Arts Management Magazine I www.ArtsManagementMagazine.com