In the early Noughties, glamorous fashion designer Virginia Macari was a staple of the social diaries and the fashion pages.
Now she has taken a leap into the film world, having being recently chosen to play the lead in the new film 'Doll'.
We caught up with her to talk fashion and film.
Georgina Heffernan: Most people would know you as a fashion designer, why did you make the leap into acting?
Virginia Macari: I have always been interested in acting and I have been very lucky to come across this project. I was introduced to the Writer and Director Paolo Borza at the time he was casting for the role of Doll. He has a great vision and we agree on so many things. When I read the script I fell in love with it straight away. I have a love for anything artistic and I feel that fashion and film go so well together.
GH: What's your wardrobe in the film like?
VM: I had two looks, the younger and older version of Doll. It was fun playing both but of course I felt sexier playing the younger version. My dresses and corsets were designed by a really cool guy called Stefano Canulli. He has designed with my favourite Thierry Mugler and is now doing the costumes for Beyonce’s world tour for 2009!
Maria Fusco styled the looks, she has a great eye! Paolo had taken inspiration from Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe. The wigs by Romana Borza and the make-up by Julie-Ann Ryan were amazing. It took three hours every morning to do the hair and make-up. As soon as I was transformed into my character I became like Marilyn, walking and talking like her. I loved it!
GH: Tell us a little bit about your role in "Doll"?
VM: I’m not allowed to give too much away before its release. I play an eccentric woman called Doll. She is in her sixties who has put on weight and lost her looks and is now an alcoholic. She dreams and remembers her youth and all her achievements like being a beauty queen. I also play the character at her younger age. She was the queen of seduction. It’s an amazing, clever story and I loved playing her. Paolo came up with a genius story to tell and I love being a part of it.
GH: Is your new look influencing your wardrobe off set?
VM: I have always loved Marilyn Monroe and yes I have taken inspiration from her. She was such a charming and beautiful woman. I love her flirty sense of humour and her femininity. Wearing the blond wigs and blue contact lenses was fun. My boyfriend did say after that he prefers my dark hair. So I don’t think that gentlemen prefer blondes!!
GH: How important is fashion in the world of the film industry?
VM: We have seen so many times how designers are inspired by movies. Also one of the reasons we watch the Oscars is to see what the stars are wearing. Hollywood has a big part in influencing different styles. In big movies we see how powerful the costume designers are in the fashion world. They inspire future collections for many designers.
One of my favourite movies is Luchino Visconti’s “Death in Venice” the costumes and the jewels make me cry, they are so beautiful. The costume designer was the legendary Piero Tosi. I only wish that women dress like that today. In today’s world we have Cathrine Martin. She did the costumes for Nicole Kidman in “Moulin Rouge” and now also Baz Luhrmann new epic “Australia”.
GH: Who is your fashion icon or your greatest influence in matters of style?
VM: I admire Cate Blanchet’s ability to take risks. She has a unique sense of style. She wears couture straight of the catwalk, which is not easy to pull off but she always look fantastic. I love her fresh faced beauty and glamour. One of my old time favourites has got to be Sophia Loren. She has always been a great inspiration to me. She knows how to work her voluptuous body. I know that Dolce & Gabbana designed the corset dress thinking of her. How perfect!
GH: What is your essential beauty item that must be in your handbag at all times?
VM: I always think that the French make the best make up and I am a big fan of Yves Saint Laurent. I am such a beauty junky I never leave home without my makeup bag. My number one thing is perfume. At the moment it’s YSL Elle. A sexy powerful perfume finishes off every outfit.
GH: Who is your favourite designer? And your favourite high street store?
VM: I love Valentino for his covetable elegant evening wear and Alexander Mc Queen for his cutting edge tailoring. But my favourite has always been Thierry Mugler. His designs celebrate the woman’s body. He sculpts his shapes in such a sexy and unique way. I love his approach to design. It’s like bondage meets brilliant tailoring, but in a very feminine way. He is a tour de force of couturemanship.
My favourite high street store at the moment is “River Island”. Their design team is excellent and they stock all the hot trends and they are so accessible to everyone. I especially love mixing high street with designer. There is nothing like finishing an outfit with a timeless Chanel jacket which is always a great investment.
GH: What is your favourite city to shop in and why?
VM: Everyone that loves fashion knows the attraction of shopping in Paris. My mother is Italian but she grew up in Paris, so I love being there. One of my favourite places to shop there is a store called “Colette” in Rue Saint-Honore. They stock the best pieces from some cool designers like Viktor & Rolf, Balmain, Lanvain and Marc Jacobs. They also sell furniture’s and kooky pieces for your home. Walking down Avenue Montaine where you find the beautiful designer boutiques is magical and dangerous for your wallet!
Dior is my ultimate love or is it Chanel? I still can’t decide! I was lucky enough to be escorted by John Galliano to view the Dior Couture pieces in the members’ studio. Only the few Couture members in the world get that chance. My eyes welled up just touching the collections and seeing where Christian Dior himself designed from.
It was an experience I will never forget.
GH: What is the best style advice you have been given?
VM: My Mother always tells me to wear more colour but I love black too much! She can’t understand why I dress up just to go grocery shopping. I love sumptuously embellished garments and sometimes she tells me to tone it down a bit but she knows how I love glamour! I keep telling her it’s her fault. When I was a child I used to sneak into her room and try on her heels and jewellery, sometimes I used to take them to school to show off to my friends! My mum has great style and any advice she has given I do try to listen.
GH: So - what's ahead for the future? A career in film, fashion or both?
VM: I am showing my 2009 collection in Dublin, Stockholm and Marbella this year. This will be my first fashion show in Dublin for years so I am very excited about that. This summer “Doll” will be featured in film festivals around the world which can open many doors for me in the film business. Also this year I have an exciting new project I am working on in the music industry. So it going to be a very busy 2009!
