Robert Mitchum photographed by Bruce Weber

The Venice Diaries: Bruce Weber paints a daring portrait of Robert Mitchum in 'Nice Girls Don't Stay for Breakfast'

E. Nina Rothe September 3, 2018

As I sat down to meet legendary fashion photographer Bruce Weber I said "Mr. Weber, I can't say I grew up with your photographs because I'm older than I look, but I definitely grew into my sexuality thanks to your iconic images." It's true. Those NYC billboards in Times Square of underwear models for Calvin Klein, the Ralph Lauren "out of Africa" campaign, Kate Moss in the bathtub, the beach scenes, the catalogues I devoured before the advent of the internet, I grew into my skin thanks to Weber's images.

Today, Weber has helped me to rediscover the beauty and genius of classic American actor Robert Mitchum. 'Nice Girls Don't Stay for Breakfast' screens at the Venice Film Festival in the Venice Classics section and is co-produced by Weber's wife Nan Bush. In the documentary, Mitchum is shown as never before, a singer, a lover and a poet, aided in part by cameos by Johnny Depp, Benicio Del Toro, Polly Bergen, Brenda Vaccaro and Liam Neeson, among many many more.

So why a film about Mitchum, why from Weber and why now?

The Qumra Diaries: The life lessons learned and great persons met, thanks to the Doha Film Institute

E. Nina Rothe March 19, 2018

As of my very first steps at this year's Qumra, around the Souq Waqif, spent inside the Date Market fair and eating a bowl of fragrant Moroccan fava bean soup at a nearby restaurant, to my very last moments wandering inside the Hamad International Airport drinking an espresso with a fellow journalist, Doha gave me the very best she has to offer. And that's pretty darn sensational in a country that can count culture, fashion and heritage at the top of its list of priorities.

From the brand new, still partly in construction National Museum of Qatar rising out of the sands, and shaped like a Desert Rose, the crystallized rock that is formed when lighting hits the dunes, to the institution of the Museum of Islamic Art, where most of the Qumra events and masterclasses are held, to the leisurely, harass-free environment of the Souq itself, I felt like I was being coddled in a cocoon of culture and learning, one that would definitely remain with me for months to come.

Sofia Coppola (left) and Kirsten Dunst on the set of 'Marie Antoinette', photographed by Brigitte Lacombe

The Qumra Diaries: Brigitte Lacombe and the power of a photograph

E. Nina Rothe March 11, 2018

I know that a Diaries series is meant to go chronologically, yet there are moments when the rules need to be broken.

For me, hearing master photographer and longtime Doha Film Institute collaborator Brigitte Lacombe talk about cinema and fashion from a photographic point of view was one such moment. I could not wait to get home and write about the pleasant afternoon I spent in her company -- along with a theater-full of attendees of this Qumra talk -- and her sister's, video photographer Marian Lacombe.

Be an insider thanks to La Maison Dior: Live Stream their A/W 2018-19 Ready-To-Wear show

E. Nina Rothe February 27, 2018

Doesn't get much better than sitting in the front row of the hottest show in town, for this season's Paris Fashion Week. Yes, I'm talking to you.

Maria Grazia Chiuri has made Christian Dior hot and hip again and personally, there is nothing I adore more than her "J'Adior" ribbons, whether on shoes or bags or even worn as bangles.

The Berlinale Diaries: I Love Dogs -- AKA Wes Anderson's 'Isle of Dogs' is finally here (and not a moment too soon!)

E. Nina Rothe February 15, 2018

A movie festival is nothing without films and I kicked off my first full day at Berlinale by watching Wes Anderson's animated treasure 'Isle of Dogs' featuring puppets like you've never seen them before, beloved actors giving voices to fantastical dogs and a message of humanity hidden within a film that is so darn entertaining to watch, I may have to go back for seconds. Or thirds even. I know you've heard me talk like this before, but this time I mean it in a whole new and different way: If I went home today, I'd be happy, after watching 'Isle of Dogs'.

PHOTO BY VANNI BASSETTI, COURTESY OF PITTI IMMAGINE Backstage at Magliano

The Pitti Uomo 93 Diaries: M1992’s Paninaro Reinvented, Magliano’s Everyday Rockstar and ‘The Day The World Went Away’

E. Nina Rothe February 7, 2018

My third and last day of Pitti Uomo 93, Fall/Winter 2018-19 collections held some surprises. Most were pleasant, welcomed discoveries of designers who hadn’t been on my radar, and now forever more will be. Yet one, at the very end of the day was a disturbing reminder that the #MeToo movement needs to evolve, and include models, young men and children. If we don’t protect every victims — not just the attractive women stars of Hollywood who are looking for a second wind in their career — we are failing allthe injured.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ETONA look from Eton’s Fall/Winter 2018-19 collection ‘Kyoto Anywhere’ — PHOTO COURTESY OF ETON
A look from Eton’s Fall/Winter 2018-19 collection ‘Kyoto Anywhere’

The Pitti Uomo 93 Diaries: Eton’s Kyoto Anywhere, Concept Korea and Les Benjamins at the Pyramids

E. Nina Rothe February 7, 2018

On my second full day of Pitti Uomo, I went on a journey eastward to Egypt, Korea and Japan, thanks to the vision and wit of four fashion brands.

I’ll start with Eton, because for me Pitti Uomo always begins with Eton. The Swedish shirt brand has become synonymous with fashion with a conscience, and a symbol of how great ethics and cool designs can make for a powerful, winning combination in today’s market. While some designers with attitudes, and their ungrateful PRs can create attention for almost anything for a season or two before disappearing into oblivion, these days it’s with principles and great artistic vision that fashion houses thrive, time and time again. The inclusive atmosphere I experienced at the Gucci Garden launch party here in Florence only confirmed my theory.

PHOTO BY VANNI BASSETTI, COURTESY OF PITTI IMMAGINEThe dinner in the Sala Bianca, organized by the Centro di Firenze per la Moda Italiana — PHOTO BY VANNI BASSETTI, COURTESY OF PITTI IMMAGINE
The dinner in the Sala Bianca, organized by the Centro di Firenze per la Moda Italiana

The Pitti Uomo 93 Diaries: Light, Camera... Fashion!

E. Nina Rothe February 7, 2018

Fashion has become the most affordable of art forms. We could all wear a piece of Christian Lacroix while he designed for Spanish brand Desigual and even typically untouchable Christian Dior features a few knick-knacks under $200 in their current collection, courtesy of artistic director Maria Grazia Chiuri — whose streetwise styles have reinvigorated the Maison.

PHOTO BY NEILSON BARNARD/GETTY IMAGES FOR DIFFA view of Madinat Jumeirah on the opening night of the 14th Dubai International Film Festival — PHOTO BY NEILSON BARNARD/GETTY IMAGES FOR DIFF
A view of Madinat Jumeirah on the opening night of the 14th Dubai International Film Festival

The Dubai Film Festival Diaries: Couldn’t Have Done It Without You, Madinat Jumeirah!

E. Nina Rothe February 6, 2018

Anyone who has ever had to travel for work knows, deeply and personally, how important a hotel room can be.

For me, while I spent eight nights and nine days at this year’s Dubai International Film Festival, the Mina A’Salam hotel, in Madinat Jumeirah provided a home away from home, the perfect place to get away from it all and write, not to mention my very own soft place to fall. All rolled up into the perfectly glamorous package of a luxury 5-star plus hotel.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DISNEYAdam Driver as Kylo Ren — PHOTO COURTESY OF DISNEY
Adam Driver as Kylo Ren

The Dubai Film Festival Diaries: ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ and Why It Is a Fashionista’s Dream Come True

E. Nina Rothe February 6, 2018

I wasn’t a huge fan of the last installment of ‘Star Wars’ titled ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’, which closed the Dubai International Film Festival in 2016. I found the chemistry between Felicity Jones and Diego Luna like a couple of fingernails dragging on a blackboard. When they were — **spoiler alert!** — done away with, I was actually kind of happy. And that’s not how you should feel about intergalactic heroes, am I right?

Fast forward one year and I found inspiration and fun in another chapters of the ‘Star Wars’ saga which has been going on since I was a child!

PHOTO BY NEILSON BARNARD/GETTY IMAGES FOR DIFFBushra on the DIFF red carpet — PHOTO BY NEILSON BARNARD/GETTY IMAGES FOR DIFF
Bushra on the DIFF red carpet

The Dubai Film Festival Diaries: Superstar Bushra, Costume Diva Alexandra Byrne and the Power of Great Women

E. Nina Rothe February 6, 2018

We need more women film writers. Repeat after me. We need more women film writers and when they are published, those few random times, we need to support them.

PHOTO BY VITTORIO ZUNINO CELOTTO/GETTY IMAGES FOR DIFF“In Conversation with Morgan Spurlock” at this year’s Dubai International Film Festival — PHOTO BY VITTORIO ZUNINO CELOTTO/GETTY IMAGES FOR DIFF
“In Conversation with Morgan Spurlock” at this year’s Dubai International Film Festival

The Dubai Film Festival Diaries: Swarovski, Morgan Spurlock, ‘The Man Behind the Microphone’ and Cinemas in Saudi by 2018

E. Nina Rothe February 6, 2018

What is heritage and how important is our connection to the past in shaping who we will be in the future? And if our ideals seem to clash with what our leaders are encouraging, or we simply can see beyond the chaos — are we right? Or does that make us just different... Those are all questions that have come up in the last 48 hours for me, at this year’s Dubai International Film Festival.