With the news of Sofia Coppola's award for Best Director at Cannes for her new drama The Beguiled (disappointingly, she’s only the second woman to have won the prize in the festival’s history), we’re turning to her back catalogue to revisit her most stylish films.
From the fanciful, pastel-hued Marie Antoinette to the wanderlust-fuelling cult classic Lost in Translation, the director’s work can’t be separated from her aesthetic. Coppola’s cinematography is filled with colour palettes and costume designs that are as memorable as the plots themselves. Of course, Coppola is no stranger to the world of fashion. Marc Jacobs' longstanding muse since their first meeting at a 1992 Perry Ellis show, she was a regular in ‘90s magazines like Seventeen and YM.
Looking back through stills of the director’s best work, we’re here to make the case for (arguably) her most visually stirring film, The Virgin Suicides, as the inspiration behind our summer style. If you’ve not seen the 1999 indie hit, it stars Kirsten Dunst, Josh Hartnett and Kathleen Turner and is based on Jeffrey Eugenides' bestselling novel. Set in 1970s Detroit, the story follows the five Lisbon sisters through the eyes of a group of neighbourhood boys who become enamoured with them. After the suicide of their youngest sister, their strict Catholic parents increase supervision and take the girls out of school, only furthering the boys' infatuation. As the girls become more and more isolated, the dreamlike film spirals into a claustrophobic suburban nightmare.
As well as the soundtrack, featuring Carole King and Al Green, the costumes are one of the highlights of the film. Designer Nancy Steiner chose vintage pieces, from ‘70s stripes and button-down skirts to virginal Catholic prom dresses. With the aesthetic inspiring the likes of Tavi Gevinson and Petra Collins, we’ll be adding stills of Coppola’s film to our Pinterest board, and floating in ethereal and pastel pieces all summer long.
Click through to see our favourite items inspired by The Virgin Suicides.
Kirsten Dunst's Lux rebels against her restrictive upbringing, writing the names of boys in her underwear and inviting them to the roof of the family home. She does it in great style. This rainbow bikini top will be top of our holiday wish list, paired with a midi skirt and sandals.
Photo: Zoetrope/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock
Warehouse Rainbow Stripe Bikini Top, £17, available at Warehouse
Free People Rainbow Stripe Triangle Bikini Top, £89.95, available at Free People
Stella McCartney Striped Triangle Cup Bikini Top, £90, available at Selfridges
The girls are made to wear dowdy, virginal dresses to prom, to which their mother adds fabric – the "four identical sacks" are floral and prairie-like. We're spoilt for choice this spring, with midi dresses with ruffles, tea dresses and high-necked styles everywhere.
Photo: Zoetrope/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock
Topshop Ditsy Floral Print Tea Dress, £46, available at Topshop
Ganni Marietta Georgette Dress, £135, available at Ganni
Alexachung Cold-Shoulder Tiered Floral Dress, £565, available at Net-A-Porter
Heartthrob Trip Fontaine woos Lux from prom to football field, leaving her to wake up alone after their night together. This brown boxy jacket would look ideal over the aforementioned floral dress, and these tinted aviators aren't going anywhere.
Photo: Zoetrope/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock
Quay Australia Muse Fade Sunglasses, £45, available at Quay Australia
Iolla Lennox Sunglasses, £65, available at Iolla
Acne Studios Howard Aviator Sunglasses, £320, available at Net-A-Porter
The film provides suburban '70s nostalgia like no other: think chevron stripes and linen skirts.
& Other Stories Striped Organic Cotton Tee, £19, available at & Other Stories
Urban Outfitters Striped Square Neck Cami, £24, available at Urban Outfitters
Comptoir Des Cotonniers Linen Button-Front Skirt, £80, available at Comptoir Des Cotonniers
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Zara's Annual Summer Sale Is Here — & These Are The 21 Items You Should Buy First