"High Brow" is the thesis project for the brand I will be launching, with room for evolution as the story grows. The film follows four girls on a journey of rediscovery, exploring the foundational pillars of the Black community. The opening scene introduces their ancestors, setting the stage for the story's deeper themes. This ancestral moment foreshadows the richness of Black history and culture—highlighting the legacy and impact we have had on society. The visual style for this sequence is deeply influenced by the energy of the 70s and 80s, with a nostalgic, dreamlike quality. Think of it like an oil-sheen commercial, filled with shiny afros and soulful eyes, symbolizing both beauty and resilience.
Throughout the film, the four girls experience the modern world while receiving messages from their ancestors through dreams,visions ,and gifts. The gifts are clothing pieces that help connect the story.These moments help the girls navigate their personal lives, showing how the past continues to guide the present. The aesthetic of the film will have a futuristic Afro-futuristic vibe, blending elements of traditional Black style with bold, new interpretations. The soundtrack will feature "Every Nigga Is a Star," solidifying the cultural mood of the opening and grounding the film in a deeply rooted Black identity.
Each girl’s life is different, but what binds them is the shared connection to their ancestors, who—despite being abused and persecuted in their time—are still looking out for them. As the girls go through their days, they begin to learn about aspects of the Black community that have been forgotten or lost, but are essential parts of the collective identity.
The film’s conclusion will be a grand, opulent homage to The Wiz—a vibrant, kaleidoscopic celebration of Black joy, a full sensory experience of fashion, music, and color. The scene will shift aesthetics dramatically, mixing different eras of fashion in a way that feels like a living mood board of Black youth culture. It will be a celebration of Black excellence and joy, showcasing how we thrive in spaces fully defined by Black aesthetics, from every shade of skin to every stitch of fabric.
The Wicked Witch in this story symbolizes the white gaze, disapproval, and the pressure of respectability politics. She embodies an external force that seeks to impose limitations on Black expression and identity. In contrast, The Wiz is a figure of wisdom, rooted in Chicago, who represents an all-knowing, super vibey force that connects to the energy of Black culture.
One of the pivotal scenes in the film involves the representation of "poppy girls"—characters who explore the theme of hypersexualization in Black culture. This will be shown as a form of art observing art, where the setting is a figure-drawing class, and one of the models begins to strip, blending the line between art and exploitation. The scene challenges how sexualization diminishes the childlike wonder and innocence that art and creativity require. It reflects how over-sexualizing certain aspects of Black culture distorts its true essence, taking away from the imagination and purity that art should invoke.
Through these themes, "High Brow" becomes a cinematic exploration of reclaiming Black identity, questioning societal pressures, and celebrating the richness of our culture, all while pushing the boundaries of fashion, art, and film.