HBO delves into fashion history for a film and reached out to newly acclaimed director.
The fashion show within the Palace of Versailles in 1973 is claimed to have truly given American designers and black models to rise to fame, and that moment will now be on the small screen. The fashion show was in fact a fundraiser for the restoration of the palace and saw a battle between five top French designers and five, at the time, unknown American designers. Among the French were Yves St. Laurent, Hubert de Givenchy, Pierre Cardin, Emanuel Ungaro, and Marc Bohan. The American designers were Oscar de la Renta, Bill Blass, Anne Klein, Halston, and Stephen Burrows. At the time not only were all these designers unknown but Anne Klein brought her assistant, who was none other than Donna Karan. The show began with the French designers putting on a long extravagant show, while the American designers were given very little. But true to the underdog spirit, the American designers stunned the public with their presentation, in fact much of the excitement had to do with the fact that of their 30 models, 10 were African American.
HBO is now determined to display the iconic fashion moment on film and has reached out to Selma director Ava DuVernay. The director will be co-writing the film, titled The Battle of Versailles, as well with Michael Starrbury and both writers will consult with fashion critic Robin Givhan who wrote the original book the project is based on. DuVernay is already directing many other projects along with her TV work, but despite that has accepted the chance to direct this film. The story has only seen the screen one other time in Deborah Riley Draper’s documentary, so DuVernay will have full creative freedom with the depiction of the tale. The director’s powerful visions will be vital for the story because this one moment in history established American fashion and broke down racial lines among many. As of now HBO Films hasn’t announced a release date.