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Tag: Love Brooklyn

  • Missy Mickens: Styling Black Creative Style in ‘Love, Brooklyn’

    Remember those classic 80s and 90s romance films that felt so real, like ‘When Harry Met Sally’ or ‘Love Jones’? They had characters you could truly connect with. While the golden age of romance films might feel like a distant memory, every so often, a movie comes along that captures that same lived-in, accessible magic. ‘Love, Brooklyn’ is one of those films.

    A Visually Stunning and Linguistically Rich Rom-Com

    Director Rachael Holder’s ‘Love, Brooklyn’ is officially out nationwide, and it’s a beautiful dreamscape that also packs a powerful narrative punch. The film adds a substantial and eloquent voice to the rom-com genre, thanks to its incredible cast, including Nicole Beharie, André Holland, and DeWanda Wise. Each actor brings a unique depth to their characters, making the story truly resonate.

    But beyond the compelling story and performances, the film’s fashion is a character in itself. The clothing is so perfectly curated that it immediately caught the eye of writer Morgan Grain, who texted the author about it after seeing the premiere at Sundance. Spearheaded by costume designer Missy Mickens, ‘Love, Brooklyn’ joyfully showcases Brooklyn’s unique fashion scene.

    Capturing the Essence of Brooklyn’s Black Creative Style

    As a Brooklyn resident herself, the author notes that ‘Love, Brooklyn’ masterfully captures Black creative style in an almost effortless way. There’s a certain slickness and subtle confidence to the way people dress in the borough, highlighted by thoughtful details like striking jewelry and impeccable shoe choices. Mickens perfectly encapsulates this ‘fly’ aesthetic.

    Missy Mickens: A Designer with a Vision

    Missy Mickens is far from a newcomer. She brings a wealth of experience to ‘Love, Brooklyn,’ having previously worked on the award-winning play ‘Hamilton’ with Oscar winner Paul Tazewell and the acclaimed ‘Slave Play’ as a wardrobe supervisor alongside Dede Ayite. These experiences, along with inspiration from stylist Misa Hylton and early work at fashion shows since 2006, have shaped her creative process.

    For ‘Love, Brooklyn,’ Mickens focused on the wardrobes of creatives, opting for memorable and slightly funky pieces. For Nicole Beharie’s character, Casey, a quirky art gallery owner with Caribbean roots, Mickens selected statement items like Maison Margiela Tabi shoes, Prada boots, an Esteban Cortazar dress, and a Victor Glemaud piece. The vibrant colors, like orange reflecting her heritage and green symbolizing her love for nature, were intentional choices.

    Dressing Characters to Tell Their Stories

    For André Holland’s character, Roger, a Black writer in Brooklyn, Mickens aimed to reflect his creativity through his wardrobe. He’s seen in a Zegna suit in an early scene, paired with laid-back yet sophisticated pieces, including a Johnny Nelson pendant. Roger’s tendency to mirror the colors of the person he’s dating, like Casey’s affinity for orange, symbolizes his search for love and self.

    DeWanda Wise’s character, Nicole, a massage therapist and single mother, also incorporates orange, signifying her rebirth after widowhood. Her wardrobe features natural tones and pieces like orange Haram pants and a blue dress, symbolizing new beginnings. Jewelry for Nicole is sourced from Gwen Beloti, adding another layer of authenticity.

    Mickens emphasizes that the distinct wardrobes define each character, ensuring they don’t all look alike – a reflection of the diverse Brooklyn she knows. “We’re not cos-playing Brooklyn,” she states, noting that each main character has lived in the borough, just as she has for 20 years. Her goal was to create a film that felt familiar and authentic to both long-time residents and newcomers.

    ‘Love, Brooklyn’ stands out as a new-age rom-com worth supporting, not just for its visual beauty but for its honest portrayal of a real, lived-in Brooklyn. Through thoughtful styling and a blend of character-specific wardrobes with curated pieces, Mickens tells the stories of individuals often overlooked.

    What did you think of the fashion in ‘Love, Brooklyn’? How important is costume design in telling a film’s story? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

  • DeWanda Wise Shines in ‘Love, Brooklyn’

    DeWanda Wise, celebrated for her captivating screen presence and ability to imbue characters with genuine authenticity, is taking on a deeply relatable role in the new film ‘Love, Brooklyn.’ Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival, the movie features Wise as Nicole, a woman navigating the complex landscape of romance, friendship, and creative aspirations in a city constantly in flux. Directed by Rachael Abigail Holder and featuring a stellar cast including André Holland, Nicole Beharie, and Roy Wood Jr., the film promises a nuanced portrayal of modern connection.

    A Grounded Portrayal of Modern Love

    Unlike typical romantic narratives, ‘Love, Brooklyn’ eschews glossy idealizations for emotional honesty and the realities of contemporary relationships. Wise’s portrayal of Nicole marks an evolution in her career, moving beyond glamorous or larger-than-life personas to embody a character who is unfiltered, emotionally open, and deeply connected to her environment. This grounded approach is resonating with audiences seeking relatable depictions of relationships.

    At its core, the film explores modern dating within the context of a shifting cultural landscape. It delves into the balance between vulnerability and strength, illustrating how relationships adapt in an era marked by rapid change, social divisions, and pervasive digital culture. Rather than relying on contrived conflicts, ‘Love, Brooklyn’ emphasizes the power of direct and honest communication, mirroring contemporary discussions about transparency in relationships, especially within communities facing societal pressures.

    Brooklyn: More Than Just a Setting

    The film masterfully transforms Brooklyn itself into a character, using the borough’s dualities—its cultural richness and its ongoing transformation due to gentrification—as a backdrop for the love story. Wise, who has personal experience living in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, draws on this authenticity to inform her portrayal of Nicole. The film subtly touches upon the frustrations of residents who feel their cultural contributions are celebrated while they are increasingly priced out of their own communities.

    Holder’s decision to set the story in Brooklyn highlights how love stories are intrinsically shaped by their environment. The evolving streets, changing demographics, and resilience of the community become inseparable from the characters’ struggles and triumphs, suggesting that personal narratives unfold within a larger social and cultural context.

    Athletes and Artists as Cultural Architects

    Wise’s performance resonates with a broader trend of Black entertainers expanding their cultural influence beyond their initial platforms. Much like athletes such as Serena and Venus Williams who have built legacies beyond the tennis court, performers like Wise are redefining how stories of love and community are presented on screen. Her roles often explore the complexities of modern womanhood and Black identity, and ‘Love, Brooklyn’ continues this tradition by blending dramatic range with grounded realism.

    The film’s debut at Sundance underscores the role of festivals in nurturing projects that challenge traditional Hollywood molds. By premiering ‘Love, Brooklyn’ in such a venue, the filmmakers positioned it within a global conversation about the future of storytelling, representation, and cultural authenticity.

    Authenticity and Modern Storytelling

    A key strength of ‘Love, Brooklyn’ is its unwavering commitment to authenticity. Nicole is portrayed not as a flawless heroine or a stereotype, but as a real woman navigating her inner life and external challenges with honesty and vulnerability. This approach aligns with a growing audience preference for raw, relatable depictions over polished facades, reflecting a broader movement in contemporary cinema.

    The film’s focus on characters who communicate openly, rather than relying on manufactured misunderstandings, adds to its modern sensibility. It suggests that genuine intimacy in today’s relationships is built on transparency, even when those conversations are difficult. This commitment to realism, combined with Wise’s powerful performance, makes ‘Love, Brooklyn’ a significant contribution to contemporary storytelling.

    What do you think about the film’s focus on authenticity in relationships? Have you seen DeWanda Wise’s performance in ‘Love, Brooklyn’? Share your thoughts in the comments below!