No Giallo movie template is complete without audacious, unconventional fashion. Therefore, it was fitting that fear and fashion met on a cold and windy Los Angeles evening when Cinematic Void held a fashion show and contest to celebrate the colorful characters and outfits in the genre. The event was part of a month-long “January Giallo” series which was followed by a screening of I KNOW WHO KILLED ME, an American Giallo starring Lindsay Lohan.
After a short skit performed by host Jim Branscome, “The Giallo Black Gloved Killer” Deanna Rooney, and I KNOW WHO KILLED ME director Chris Sivertson (who was in the house to help judge the contest while showing off an impressive pair of white shoes), a small group of gloved murderers and other characters worked the stage in front of the Los Feliz 3’s sold-out crowd.
Kicking it off was yours truly taking a stab at channeling Monica Ranieri, THE BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE Killer, by wearing a black rain hat that substituted for a fedora, a black vinyl trench -courtesy of Nasty Gal- worn over a black blazer, a white button-down shirt and scarf, black leather gloves, and black pants paired with patent leather shoes.
Left: On-stage hijinks with Chris Sivertson, Jim Branscome, and The Black-Gloved Killer. Right: Fashion show contestant line-up. Images courtesy of Cinematic Void.
Contestant number two, dubbed “Suave Guy” by Branscome, had me stumped. Was he a specific character or an amalgamation of every smooth MFer who’s looking to make an impression in a Giallo? Wearing mirrored rock star manager sunglasses on his handsome mug and a crimson turtleneck under his brown leather jacket worn with relaxed-fit jeans, he strutted onto the stage like he was the Italian version of Steve McQueen.
The third contestant walked the runway dressed in John Saxon cosplay; he wore a blue-grey suit and fedora, reminiscent of the attire Saxon’s character “Bullmer” wears in the ’80s spaghetti slasher, TENEBRAE. Taking inspiration from the movie, he played with the hat as he walked across the stage, paying homage to Bullmer’s hat moves.
The Blue Man from I KNOW WHO KILLED ME walked onto the runway fourth, dressed in the most unnerving look of the night. A trucker cap, open-collar shirt, jacket, pants, and gloves were all part of his super creepy murder ensemble, which displayed his fetish for the color blue.
Contestant number five brought down the house with her Red Queen outfit from THE RED QUEEN KILLS SEVEN TIMES. When the tawny-haired Queen walked onstage dressed in black save for a beautiful long hooded red cape and clutching a curvy dagger, the audience roared with approval. She was the clear winner and recipient of a cool prize pack from Arrow Video with Giallo films & other stuff.
My favorite part of the event was due to the final contestant; an OPERA Killer victim, complete with needles taped to her eyes and a sound cue that didn’t work. I’m guessing it was No Escape by Norden Light, the metal tune that plays in the film’s background while the killer’s victims are being dispatched.
Top l to r: Judging the contestants; OPERA Killer victim; an attempt at a sound cue is foiled. Middle: The audience applauds The Red Queen. Bottom: The Red Queen wins a box of cool stuff. Images courtesy of Cinematic Void.
The full, fabulous video of the Giallo fashion show can be viewed by becoming a patron on the Cinematic Void Patreon page.
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