Since 1999, the worlds that film director Sofia Coppola have built have welcomed in a cult audience. In The Virgin Suicides, she created a sleepy suburbia that seemingly captured both the gentle energetic sparks and real malaise of teenage existence. In Marie Antoinette, she transposed the punkish energy of contemporary youth onto a story of 18th century French royalty, a merging of ornate textural artistry and winking rebellion. It’s no surprise that, when photographer Ashley Markle headed down to the launch of Archive, the first book she has compiled from her 24-year-deep archive, that most of the fans waiting to meet her credited one or the other as their favourite.
She remains mostly private, appearing only at premieres and in magazine interviews, but has an affinity with youth culture and young women’s experiences that commands the same kind of attention a teenage popstar gets. As they waited in line, Ashley took the fans’ photos, asked them about their favourite Sofia Coppola scenes, and — of course — who they consider to be their style icons.
Jakai Newman, 19
What do you do? I’m a student at Pace University. What’s your top Sofia Coppola film? The Virgin Suicides. Favourite scene? I love when the Lisbon sisters have severed from the world and they’re communicating with the boys through the phone. Who’s your ultimate style icon? Devon Lee Carlson.
Laura, 24, and Jacob, 26
What do you do? Laura: I sell pre owned luxury fashion. Jacob: I’m a tattoo artist. What’s your top Sofia Coppola film? The Virgin Suicides. Favourite scene? Prom night scene, where she wakes up alone. Felt that. Who’s your ultimate style icon? Each other.
@lauraleighlux / @speedsnakeposse
Bleachy, 23
What do you do? I’m a jewelry designer. What’s your top Sofia Coppola film? Marie Antoinette. What do you love most about her work? The way her work feeds the female gaze. It’s so inspiring and beautiful! Who’s your ultimate style icon? Courtney Mawhorr.
Erica Russell, 34
What do you do? Music journalist. What’s your top Sofia Coppola film? Lost in Translation. Favourite scene? Karaoke scene! Who’s your ultimate style icon? All the kids in FRUiTS magazine.
Lyd, 18, and Sara Thea, 19
What do you do? Photography, fashion, art, film. What’s your top Sofia Coppola film? Marie Antoinette. Favourite scene? Converse rockstar jam session. Who’s your ultimate style icon? Christina Aguilera.
What do you do? Filmmaking. What’s your top Sofia Coppola film? The Virgin Suicides. What do you love most about her work? I love how she paints such an accurate depiction of a place, an aesthetic, an era and totally immerses you in her world. Who’s your ultimate style icon? Madisonxwild.
Andreas Aresti, 29
What do you do? Designer. What’s your top Sofia Coppola film? Idk. Favourite scene? Bill Murray shooting the commercial. Who’s your ultimate style icon? Rod Stewart.
Lolita Lupita, 23
What do you do? Filmmaker. What’s your top Sofia Coppola film? The Virgin Suicides. Favourite scene? When they hug the trees. Who’s your ultimate style icon? Priscilla.
Natessa, 19, and Mia Struck, 29
What do you do? Influencer. What’s your top Sofia Coppola film? Marie Antoinette. What do you love most about her work? I love how she captures girlhood! Who’s your ultimate style icon? Devon Lee Carlson.
What do you do? Styling. What’s your top Sofia Coppola film? The Virgin Suicides. Favourite scene? The dream sequence. Who’s your ultimate style icon? Betsey Johnson.
Jessette
What do you do? Fashion editor and wardrobe stylist. What’s your top Sofia Coppola film? Marie Antoinette — its soundtrack, wardrobe and all the Manolo Blahniks for me. Favourite scene? All of the dancing and running in the fields and extravagant beautiful parties. Who’s your ultimate style icon? Jean Harlow, Janis Joplin, Vivienne Westwood, Rei Kawakubo, Elsa Schiaparelli, Pierre Cardin, Anna Karina, Patti Smith, Tilda Swinton, Audrey Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot…
Mica Kendall, 24, and Kiana, 25
What do you do? Mica: Modeling. Kiana: Art director. What’s your top Sofia Coppola film? The Virgin Suicides. Favourite scene? K: Prom scene. What do you love most about her work? M: Her style as a director has created an aesthetic that transpires outside of film into fashion and girlhood and music and other art forms. Who’s your ultimate style icon? Chloë Sevigny and Faye Wong.
Credits
Photography Ashley Markle