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Fashion Indie: We’ll start off with an obvious question, how did you get involved in film production, specifically within fashion?

Jason Last: I’ve always had a very strong connection to sound and moving image, and the emotion it can carry, or the story it can tell. Fashion film is something that has come out of my passion for video and film making, as well as my love of fashion imagery. It is a combination of both things and is derived from my mind and sensibility as an artist, a director, and an image-maker. Fashion film combines the mediums that I want to work and create within: art, fashion, and cinema.

It was a natural progression.

For me, it is broader than just something being directly linked to the fashion industry. It is the use of fashion imagery, clothing, models, lifestyle, that can take on a cinematic form, whether it be narrative, experimental, music video, video art, or feature film. I am very open to the blurring of lines between the labels and genres that exist in film and art. I am always interested in experimenting and trying new techniques and expressions related to film and video.

FI: You’ve worked with some pretty amazing designers like Complex Geometries and Travis Taddeo. If you could work with any designers or brands, who would they be? Why?

JL: There are so many people I would love to work with, of course. Riccardo Tisci is one of them. I love what he is doing at Givenchy. There is a dark sensibility and romance I relate to in the work and the image he is putting out. It’s moody, it’s romantic, and it’s elegant…I see so much beauty, fantasy, and emotion in his work, and that is what I want to represent in my own work.

There are too many though. Every designer I work with is amazing.  I’ve been lucky to have been a part of some fantastic collaborations. I think the end result is successful because we share a vision and a sensibility towards fashion and art.

FI: Your videos tend to have this sense of dark and eerie feeling to them, where does this come from? What is the inspiration that drives your work?

JL: My work begins as images I want to see come to life and move, or stories I want to tell.  Fashion and art are at the forefront of my work; it’s what informs it. Additionally, my work is a personal creative expression, like any artist, or filmmaker, or designer. There’s always an emotional connection to the work I am putting out. I’m drawn to that kind of romance and drama visually. The color palette, the mystery, the mood and history these types of images hold and bring up in the mind of the viewer.

There is definitely a ‘dark fantasy’ element that inspires my work. Fashion imagery can be so powerful because of the world it can take us to and it’s limitless nature.Like watching McQueen’s last show and collaboration with Nick Knight, for instance. He brings us into the art of fashion. To this spectacle that is other-worldly. He pushes the way we look at fashion and fashion imagery through this merging of clothing, styling, performance, video, art, and new media.

He creates this sensation and intrigue through the grandeur of the spectacle with the darkness and mystery of what we are seeing and experiencing. He brings us into this fantasy world he has created for us, but we never lose site of what we are there to see.Inspiration comes from everywhere.  Whether it’s an Andrew Wyeth painting, music, or a dark Chanel silhouette as it moves down the runway.

It comes from fashion, art and real life experience. I always find inspiration in films and news media photography as well. I have this huge database of images I collect. It acts as somewhat of a mood-board for inspiring an idea or story and how I will tell it.

FI: I know you shoot stills as well, which do you prefer video or photo? Why?

JL: Video is really where it all begins for me. Whether I am thinking in moving or still images. I shoot video and I think mainly in moving image.

What’s so exciting for me about video stills is that I am able to capture this one fantastic frame out of all the movement. The image is unintentional, which I love. It’s this perfect image that you find later and it’s always there. A still image that can sum up the essence of an entire piece.

I also love the quality of video stills. The slight pixelation that occurs, especially when blown up into large format prints. For me, it’s gorgeous. But yeah, they go hand in hand. I couldn’t make stills unless I made the video.

FI: With magazines being phased out going digital, what do you think the future holds for artists like yourself who are really the pioneers of this shift towards fashion videos?

JL: I really do think fashion film and moving editorial are the future. It’s amazing to see how many print magazines are available in an online format, or websites that act as magazines (like online magazines Mykromag or Hint Magazine)

The potential that exists for web is astonishing. I think we will definitely see a time not too far from now where online magazines will include video in a major way. More than they already do. This includes editorials, ads, and features. I mean, photography is always going to be there, but I think editors and brands are understanding the power that film and video has in terms of reaching people in a way that it always has through motion pictures and television advertisements. It just makes sense with the way the web is going.

There’s an exciting future ahead for video and moving fashion online, with the idea of touch screen online magazines and interactive features. It’s the future.

FI: Dazed and Confused has already jumped on a bunch of your videos, where else can we see/expect to see your work being published?

JL: The web seems to be the most logical home for my work at the moment, beside galleries & film festivals that I am a part of. It’s where fashion film exists right now, and where it will continue to grow.

I’m working with several magazines at the moment like Mykromag.com, V, and Blend, whom I have a video stills print editorial coming out with in the new year, with an accompanying video. I’m also working with many blogs and online magazines collaborating on video projects.

I imagine a time when video stills will be pushed more for print, but for me it’s just as strong online. Unless I am printing large format stills and selling them as part of a series, which I love.

FI: Enough of the serious questions, let’s get to know the notorious Jason Last a bit better as a person rather than just through your work. Music always has been and always will be a major driving force in the fashion world. What’s been pumping through your speakers lately?

JL: Music is a major source of inspiration for me and my work.  I’ve always been obsessed with combining sound and moving image; and music videos. Gaga is on a lot…obviously… I’ve been listening to Rated R a lot too… I love my pop music.

The XX, Florence & the Machine, and Weezy have been getting a lot of play as well. I listen to Hot97 a lot here in New York.

I have my downtime classical as well.  It really depends what mood I’m in or I want to be in. You know?

FI: If you could shoot a music video for a nineties pop star trying to make a comeback who would it be?

JL: Sinead O’Connor. Does that count?

FI: Yes that counts….unfortunately (haha)

FI: You’re asked to shoot a video based on a horror film, what movie are you choosing? And, no, Catwoman doesn’t count despite being terrifyingly bad. Why?

JL: A friend of mine recently re-introduced me to the amazing work of Dario Argento & my latest film is based on his work.  I’m not all about extreme gore, but I do love the mystery and suspense he creates through his cinematography, and the shadows and use of color of his imagery.

I’ll probably end up making a slasher fashion film at some point, but a little camp at the same time. I live for dark beauty & strange imagery, but I don’t like getting scared.

FI: What can we expect from the notorious Jason Last in the near future?

JL: More films, lookbooks, campaigns, and a few really fun ones with choreography and color!  Lots of stuff coming out in the new year that I’m excited about.  Also, my use of video stills. It’s something I want to push and experiment further with. They are both video to me, but I love what can be done with video stills and I don’t think they are recognized or used enough yet.

I can’t even begin to tell all of you the level of respect I have for Mr. Last. I’ve been in love with his work for a long time, but you really can’t get a full appreciation for his work until you talk to him. He is a pioneer for the digital fashion world, and I think he is one of the few people who is showing the static fashion world that digital fashion isn’t something to shrug off. Thank you again to Jason for talking with me, and if you are interested in more of Jason’s work check out either his website or Vimeo page.

Anne Combaz shot this cool spread in Paris for Hint.

GALLERY: Clothed for Business.