Ami Paris Takes Cannes in Style With Daniel Kaluuya, Hunter Doohan
Ami Paris creative director Alexandre Mattiussi highlighted the event as one of genuine connection, shared values and love of cinema.
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Mattiussi described Ami's sponsorship not as a business move, but as a gesture of support. 'Sponsoring is a weird word,' he said. 'It's more about being here, with a window to the backstage, and trying to give a chance for everyone to express their best to the world.'
The Critics' Week had been without a sponsor since Nespresso departed three years ago, but organizers decided to wait to find the right partner instead of taking on someone simply interested in a big-name endorsement.
Mattiussi, who has stepped into producing shoes with director Robin Campillo's feature 'Enzo,' which is in the Directors' Fortnight section this year, said his love of film dates back to his childhood.
'My passion for cinema has been there forever, since I was a kid,' he said. 'I was born and raised in the countryside. The [town] had one movie theater. It was a window to escape to the world.'
He added that, at first, the team had tried to find a fancier restaurant for the lunch, but he preferred the laid-back location.
'I said, don't try to find anything. There's nothing like Fred l'Écailler. This is the real Cannes you know. At night, there are kids playing pétanque here. It's the perfect place for us, and the atmosphere is amazing,' he said.
Guests including Céline Sallette mingled over rosé — practically a South of France requirement — seafood and fresh veggies from the restaurant's shared plates style menu. Rows of long tables were set under the trees next to the city's public pétanque court.
Daniel Kaluuya was clad in a brown suit from Ami, but needed a bit of last-second tailoring. The suit was new, and the pockets were still sewn shut. 'I need to put my hand in my pocket for the photos,' he said.
Staff from Ami came to the rescue and opened the stitches so that he looked casual and cool in the snaps.
Actor Hunter Doohan, in a breezy sheer Ami shirt, was feeling relaxed. 'I love this look — kind of like a chiffon, see-through shirt moment,' he said, smiling. 'They styled me the other day, and I just loved it.'
Though now a rising Hollywood name, Doohan confessed the experience still feels surreal. 'I grew up in Arkansas, so it's a whole new world to me,' he admitted. 'I always just feel lucky to get to go.'
The actor, known for his roles in 'Wednesday,' 'Your Honor' and 'Daredevil: Born Again,' said he's a genuine fan of Ami and has attended a few of the brand's Paris Fashion Week shows. 'I wear their stuff — the ready-to-wear looks — in my real life, even. It's nice to go to something you're actually a true fan of.'
He described his style growing up as 'early 2000s and 2010s, tragic, with buckle jeans. I'm not sure it can be described as style.' On the cinematic side, he's been seeing films in the selection and praised their uniqueness.
The second season of 'Wednesday' is set to premiere in August, he added. But the star remained mum on any plot details. 'Someone from Netflix would show up and kill me,' he joked.
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