One part Bravo TV-style insider view of the fashion world and two parts heartstring-yanking tale of one man's triumph against pain and circumstance, Dressed: From Homeless to Fashion Designer is a little bit sweet and a little bit fabulous -- even if it's not the most original film you've ever seen on homelessness or on fashion. The doc profiles designer Nary Manivong, a talented young design phenom who was tossed onto the streets with his three siblings when he was a 14-year-old, back in his hometown of Columbus, OH. Now, as he climbs the rungs of New York Fashion Week for the second time over (we're told he once came close, but lost the financial support of his backers), we follow Manivong while he prepares his collection in the weeks leading up to the event.
Of course, Manivong is doing this with the drive that comes from having something to prove -- to the world, to the teachers and principal at his former high school, who offered him kindness and support when he was sleeping at an all-night doughnut shop, and, we assume, to his abusive father, whom he's spent his entire adult life trying to distance himself from. He shares a 320-square-foot apartment with his best friend, and works day and night drawing, sewing, and hustling. When he's not securing materials to work with, factories to produce his pieces, models to wear them, and venues to show them in, he's begging and borrowing the money to make it all happen. He cobbles together a little over 5,000 dollars for his show (partly thanks to a grant from his aforementioned former high school principal), which is just barely enough to make it happen, but stands in stark contrast to most name designers, who work with about 250,000 dollars.
It's certainly an inspiring premise; the only problem is that we never get much insight on the implications of that premise. Apart from the words of some friends and acquaintances who observe that Manivong's hardships deprived him of the familial love and support we all need, there's little exploration of the topic of poverty or abuse among teens. Likewise, the film's take on fashion begins with potential, including commentary from insiders like Barneys creative director Simon Doonan, Fashion Group International president Margaret Hayes, stylist Robert Verdi, and Village Voice fashion writer Lynn Yaeger. But Dressed never delivers much insight on this premise either, as none of the speakers talk about Manivong directly, nor do they offer any observations more specific than "the fashion industry is a tough, competitive place," and "this is a business where you're always one season away from bankruptcy."
Manivong remains a compelling character, however, and his genuineness does keep you invested in his journey. If anything, the movie's failure to deliver more analysis speaks to Manivong's innate likability, as you can't help wanting to know and understand more about his story.
