London-based fashion label Self-Portrait is shooting for the stars, as it revealed on Thursday that for its sophomore residency program, the Academy Award-winning film director Sean Baker will debut a short film, titled “Sandiwara,” with fellow Academy Award-winning actress Michelle Yeoh taking the lead role.
Shot in Penang, Self-Portrait founder and creative director Han Chong’s hometown in Malaysia, the film, written, edited and shot by Baker, will premiere in February.
Yeoh was born in the nearby city of Ipoh, a two-hour drive from Penang. Both cities are located on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, and host large Chinese populations due to historical immigration patterns. The brand recently dressed Yeoh in a custom black velvet gown with sculptured French lace for the “Wicked: For Good” London premiere.
The Malay word “Sandiwara” means drama, theatrical performance, or play in English. The brand said the film will serve as an exploration of Malaysian culture through the lens of food, music and womanhood.
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Chong, who launched Self-Portrait in 2013, said Baker’s short film is a perfect reflection of the mission of the brand’s residency program, which was unveiled last year with a collaboration with designer Christopher Kane based on his Central Saint Martins graduate collection.
Chong told WWD last year that the residency is aimed at reflecting the way the Self-Portrait customers interact with the world. It could be a fashion collection, or “an experience, a single item, a piece of music, a book or even multiple creators contributing in unexpected ways.”
For every residency program, Self-Portrait will provide the infrastructure, platforms, resources, teams and distribution networks to spotlight and promote creatives designing one-off collections.
Chong said he wants to provide “a home for creativity to thrive and prosper.” He also wants to create a sense of community and work toward mutual audience engagement.
Commenting on the upcoming film, Chong said Baker’s contribution is more than a collaboration.
“It’s a challenge to the traditional ways film and fashion have learned to work together. Seeing Baker and his team immerse themselves in the heart of my hometown of Penang, absorbing the textures, rituals, and everyday moments of Malay culture, reminded me why we started Residency in the first place,” he said.
“It’s a temporary platform that invites artists to experiment, to take risks, and to bring their authentic selves into dialogue with our community. His honest, independent approach will bring new stories and fresh energy to our house, broadening our perspective and inspiring both us and our audience,” added Chong.
Baker said “Sandiwara” is an extension of his pre-existing love for independent cinema.
“With the support of Chong, Yeoh, and the many other individuals who helped bring this vision to life, we were able to celebrate Malaysian culture in a big way. It was incredible to get to experience Penang and to have been given the freedom to create a film that spans beyond traditional fashion and cinema integration,” said Baker.
It’s understood that “Sandiwara” will be Baker’s first directorial release since his Academy Award-winning film “Anora,” and his first directorial production outside of the U.S. It also marks the first time Baker has actively worked with another creative from a different artistic discipline.
After over a decade of development, Self-Portrait has evolved from a viral bridesmaid dress brand to a fully fledged fashion label with a comprehensive offering across ready-to-wear, accessories, and leather goods.
It has released global campaigns featuring Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Gigi Hadid, Irina Shayk, and Emily Ratajkowski, and counts Jisoo of Black Pink, Chinese actress Zhao Liying, and Apple Martin, daughter of Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin, as brand ambassadors.
Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, has been wearing Self-Portrait on multiple occasions over the years, as well.
