Sofia Coppola always said to herself that she would have been editor-in-chief of a magazine (or her own fanzine) if she had not become a filmmaker. Even today, after a long day of work, she loves to relax by cutting out her favorite photos from fashion magazines and making mood boards. The floor of her office is regularly covered with reference and inspiration images, depending on the project she is working on at the moment. Her editorial desires, Sofia Coppola was able to satisfy them last year, by composing Archive, a 500-page publication which looks back on his 25-year career, The Virgin Suicides (1999) to Priscilla (2023). Filled with set photos, script excerpts and collages, the book immediately became a best seller and gave to Coppola the desire to start again.
A publishing house
“I love the layout. Photo books have always played an important role in my creative process. I thought it would be great if I could work on other works” she explains. To do this, the director teamed up again with Mackthe British publisher behindArchivein order to launch his publishing house, called Important Flowers. The first book will be published in April: it will be a collection of photos taken by the British fashion photographer Corinne Day on the film set of Virgin Suicides. The photos in question, which became legendary among those who had a Tumblr account in 2011, Coppola only recently rediscovered its existence. The photos, most of which have never been revealed, were so numerous that she immediately said to herself that they had to be made into a book in their own right.
Photo: Corinne Day Estate
Photo: Corinne Day Estate
Photographic tribute
“I am a huge fan of Day. I'm so happy I got to meet her and become her friend.declares Coppola about the photographer, who died in 2010. This book is a tribute and an opportunity to introduce his work to those who do not know him.”. Next September, Important Flowers will also publish Chanel Haute Couture, a visual history of almost 500 pages about the Parisian fashion house. Coppola had done an internship in the workshop Chanel under the direction of Karl Lagerfeld when she was 15, and since then, has maintained a special relationship with the house. The team of Chanel notably made the wedding dress worn by Cailee Spaeny in his latest film, Priscilla. Presented as a “haute couture album” full of never-before-seen Polaroids, fashion show photos and original images taken by Coppola, Chanel Haute Couture will not fail to seduce fashion and photo enthusiasts.
Photo: © CHANEL 2021
Photo: © CHANEL 2020
“I only want to publish the books that I would like to give away. I am very involved in these publications: these are subjects that are close to my heart!” says the director, adding that she does not intend to stop there. And for good reason, one of the first things she asked Mack when creating his house was to design and edit a diary, “the agenda of his dreams”. Available for pre-order now, it comes in two shades (pale pink and baby blue) and includes spaces reserved for the films you want to watch.
Ultimately, Coppola wants to publish emerging photographers, or even reissue books that she loves and which are no longer on sale. For now, though, she's focused on the book launch Virgin Suicideswhose release will coincide with the 25th anniversary of the film's theatrical release. She plans to host special screenings with the film's star – and friend, Kirsten Dunstbut she still needs to sort out some details. “I always feel like I'm doing and wanting to do a million things at onceshe said. Just the other day, I asked the team to Mack if we couldn't make wrapping paper!” Interview.
Vogue. Congratulations on your new publishing house, Important Flowers! Where does its name come from?
