Tara Subkoff

Last updated

Tara Subkoff
Tara Subkoff 2015.png
Subkoff interviewed by Behind the Velvet Rope TV at 2015 special screening of #Horror
Born (1972-12-10) December 10, 1972 (age 50)
Westport, Connecticut, U.S.
Occupations
  • Artist
  • fashion designer
  • actress
  • director
Years active1993–present
Spouse
​
(m. 2014⁠–⁠2016)​

Tara Lyn Subkoff (born December 10, 1972) [1] is an American actress, conceptual artist, director, and fashion designer. Subkoff made her film debut in the thriller When the Bough Breaks (1994) opposite Martin Sheen, and has had supporting roles in As Good as It Gets (1997), The Last Days of Disco (1998), The Cell (2000), and The Notorious Bettie Page (2005).

Contents

In 2001, she co-founded an art collective-turned-fashion line, Imitation of Christ, which featured pieces hand-sewn solely from recycled vintage and thrift store clothing, and has since worked primarily as a conceptual artist. In 2015, she made her feature film directorial debut with the horror film #Horror (2015), which was picked up for distribution by IFC Midnight.

Early life

Subkoff was born in Westport, Connecticut. Her father was an antiques dealer who owned an antique store on 13th Street in Manhattan, and her mother was a schoolteacher in East Harlem. [2] She grew up in what she described as a "bohemian" family, [3] and attended boarding school at the Williston Northampton School in Massachusetts. [4] After graduation, she attended the Parsons School of Design, but dropped out within a year of enrolling. [2] [5] She relocated to Los Angeles, California in 1991 to study acting, and took classes alongside Angelina Jolie and Keanu Reeves. [2]

Career

Early acting: 1994–2000

Subkoff made her debut as an actress on television, appearing in Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman in 1994, followed by her feature film debut, a lead role in the 1994 crime thriller When the Bough Breaks , opposite Martin Sheen and Ron Perlman. In 1996, she had a minor supporting part in the film Freeway , and in the horror film Black Circle Boys (1997).

This was followed with lead roles in the drama All Over Me (1997), [6] and the comedy Lover Girl (1997), co-starring Kristy Swanson. She had minor parts in As Good as It Gets (1997), Whit Stillman's The Last Days of Disco (1998), and an uncredited appearance in the 1999 teen sex comedy American Pie . She also appeared in a supporting role in the sci-fi-horror film The Cell (2000) with Jennifer Lopez and Vincent D'Onofrio. [7]

In 2017, Subkoff joined the group of women making the Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse allegations, saying that the producer had sexually harassed her in the 1990s when she applied for a role in one of his films, and then had her blacklisted when she resisted. "It became impossible for me to get work as an actress after this, so I then had to start a new career path and started Imitation of Christ", she said. [8]

Imitation of Christ: 2001–2011

In 2000, Subkoff began working on a project called Imitation of Christ with designer Matt Damhave, enlisting Chloë Sevigny as the project's creative director. [2] Originally conceived as an art project, it has been described as "DIY art collective misconstrued as a luxury fashion label." [9] Every piece of clothing in the line was sewn by hand and recycled from vintage, thrift and Goodwill shops. Subkoff created pieces of wearable art with her fashion shows which garnered her a cult following. [10] Models who wore the pieces for runway shows included actress Scarlett Johansson. [10] [11]

Reflecting on the line, Subkoff said: “We were talking about waste, throwing things away, and taking something that’s old and making it new again, putting the human hand back into a world that reeks of manufacturing. It felt very appropriate to do that in 2000." [9]

Subkoff and Damhave created four collections together, and the shows were described as "guerilla-style, at least as much performance art as they were about [Subkoff's] refashioned, hand-sewn vintage clothes," [2] with the project's earliest exhibitions taking place in a funeral parlor in the Manhattan's East Village. [12] In 2003, she also collaborated with Bernhard Willhelm on a fashion collection inspired and authorized by Roberto Capucci. [13]

After Subkoff and Damhave parted ways, she continued to design pieces for the line through 2006. In 2007, Subkoff sold the label to Josh Sparks, the former chief executive of the Australian label Sass & Bide, for a reported $2 million. [12] The following year, in 2008, the label went out of business. In 2012, Subkoff revived the label and began working on more pieces, shortening the brand name to simply "Imitation." [12]

Directing, other projects: 2012–present

Milla Jovovich in Subkoff's art installation Future/Perfect, 2013 Milla Jovovich in Tara Subkoff's Future Perfect.jpg
Milla Jovovich in Subkoff's art installation Future/Perfect, 2013

In 2012, Subkoff created a ten-day art installation and continuous performance piece at the Carlton Festival of the Arts in São Paulo, Brazil. [9] She also conceptualized a performance piece in a group show curated by Dimitri Antonitsis in Hydra, Greece.

She exhibited a three hour long installation at the Bortolami Gallery in New York City during the 2012 New York Fashion Week titled "This is Not a Fashion Show," which featured a girl's choir in leotards performing “Carol of the Bells” (intimated as a "slight to Yuletide consumerism") and "performers aging from 8 to 70 pruned and posing in front of antique mirrors lining the gallery walls." [9] In explaining the idea behind the show, Subkoff said: "We are a society that only sells commodities. We do not create anything unless it's to be bought and sold, so the idea of doing something where there isn't a commodity to sell, or what the commodity is to sell is very confusing, is extremely interesting to me." [14]

In 2013, she collaborated with Milla Jovovich on a filmed installation in Venice, Italy titled "Future/Perfect," which had Jovovich enclosed in a glass house, surrounded by boxes with consumer logos, artwork, and clothing. [15]

Though working predominantly in art, Subkoff also had a minor appearance in the film, including Tanner Hall (2009) and Abandoned (2010), with Brittany Murphy. Subkoff made her directorial debut in 2014 with the horror film #Horror (2015), which details a group of wealthy adolescent girls who experience a night of violence and terror after a social media game is tinged with cyberbullying. The film was screened out of competition at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival, and was picked up for distribution by IFC Midnight, slated for a limited release in November 2015. According to Subkoff, she conceived the film after a conversation she'd had with her friend's daughter: "[The idea] started because I asked my friend's daughter, "What is horror, to you?" This girl was cyberbullied very badly... Now, I was bullied badly as a kid, but I could always change schools. I could always go home. Now you can't…when bullying follows you home, and there's no escape and no end, to me, that's horror. And to so many girls, that's just life." [16]

Personal life

Subkoff has been formerly romantically linked to Wes Anderson, and was formerly engaged to director Tom Hooper. [2] In the fall of 2014, Subkoff married artist Urs Fischer. [17] Subkoff resides in Los Angeles, California, [18] where she bought a three-story house designed by architect Saul Harris Brown in the Silver Lake neighbourhood for $2.25 million in 2021. [19]

In 2009, Subkoff was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma, a benign brain tumor that required her to undergo a craniotomy in September 2009. [20] Her symptoms had originally been diagnosed as TMJ by her doctor in 2003. [2] [21]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1994 When the Bough Breaks Jordan Thomas/Jennifer Lynn Eben
1995Point Dume
1996 Freeway Sharon
1996 True Crime Liz McConnell Television film
1997 Black Circle Boys Chloe
1997 All Over Me Ellen
1997Lover GirlJake Ferrari / "Candy"
1997 As Good as It Gets Cafe 24 Waitress
1998 The Last Days of Disco Holly
1999MascaraDaphne
1999 American Pie College girlUncredited
2000 The Cell Julia Hickson
2002 Teenage Caveman Sarah
2002Looking for Jimmy
2003 Undermind Anya
2004 Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie Mouse
2004Good Boys Short film
2005 The Notorious Bettie Page June
2009 Tanner Hall Gwen
2010 Abandoned Nurse Anna
2010 How Do You Know Subpoena Girl
2010Tyrolean RivieraBrigittaShort film
2011 For Lovers Only Yves' Wife
2013 Sugar Woman at accident
2015Cook-Off!
2015 #Horror TatianaVoice only
2021Grace and GritLinda Conger

Television

YearSeriesRoleNotes
1994 Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman JenniferEpisode: "Orphan Train"
1994 Northern Exposure Mary-MargaretEpisode: "The Letter"
1996 Kindred: The Embraced Cash's GirlEpisode: "The Original Saga"
2013 Kroll Show Two episodes

As director or producer

YearTitleProduction roleNotes
2010 The Killer Inside Me Associate producer
2012Magic HourDirector [22] Short film
2013Future/PerfectDirectorShort film
2015 #Horror Director, writer, producer

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milla Jovovich</span> American actress and model (born 1975)

Milica Bogdanovna Jovovich, known professionally as Milla Jovovich, is an American actress and model. Her starring roles in numerous science-fiction and action films led the music channel VH1 to deem her the "reigning queen of kick-butt" in 2006. In 2004, Forbes determined that she was the highest-paid model in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chloë Sevigny</span> American actress (born 1974)

Chloë Stevens Sevigny is an American actress, model and fashion designer. Known for her work in independent films, often appearing in controversial or experimental features, Sevigny is the recipient of several accolades, including a Golden Globe Award, a Satellite Award, an Independent Spirit Award, as well as nominations for an Academy Award and three Screen Actors Guild Awards. She also has a career in fashion design concurrent with her acting work. Over the years, her alternative fashion sense has earned her a reputation as a "style icon".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ione Skye</span> British-American actress (born 1970)

Ione Skye Lee is a British-born American actress and the daughter of singer Donovan. She made her film debut in the thriller River's Edge (1986) before gaining mainstream exposure for her starring role in Cameron Crowe's Say Anything... (1989). She continued to appear in films throughout the 1990s, with notable roles in Gas Food Lodging (1992), Wayne's World (1992) and One Night Stand (1997).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jena Malone</span> American actress

Jena Laine Malone is an American actress. Known for her roles in both independent films and mainstream blockbuster features, she has received numerous accolades, including nominations for a Golden Globe Award and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It girl</span> Colloquial term for a young woman with sex appeal

An "it girl" is an attractive young woman, who is perceived to have both sex appeal and a personality that is especially engaging.

<i>The Last Days of Disco</i> 1998 film by Whit Stillman

The Last Days of Disco is a 1998 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Whit Stillman, and loosely based on his travels and experiences in various nightclubs in Manhattan, including Studio 54. Starring Chloë Sevigny and Kate Beckinsale, the film follows a group of Ivy League and Hampshire College graduates falling in and out of love in the disco scene of New York City in the early 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chloë Grace Moretz</span> American actress (born 1997)

Chloë Grace Moretz is an American actress. She is the recipient of various accolades, including four MTV Movie & TV Awards, two People's Choice Awards, two Saturn Awards, and two Young Artist Awards.

The Imitation of Christ is the Christian ideal of following the example of Jesus.

Jovovich–Hawk was a clothing line created by models Milla Jovovich and Carmen Hawk in 2003. The atelier was based in Los Angeles, with pieces sold at Fred Segal in Los Angeles, Harvey Nichols, and over 50 stores around the world. Vogue magazine praised the line for its "girl-about-town cult status most designers spend years trying to achieve." Jovovich–Hawk had an annual turnover of $210 million.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anja Rubik</span> Polish model and businesswoman (born 1983)

Anja Rubik is a Polish supermodel, activist, philanthropist and entrepreneur. She is one of the most prominent models of the 20th and 21st century, continuously featuring on magazine covers, as well as runways and campaigns for the most notable fashion houses. By 2009, Rubik was dubbed a "top model" by French Vogue and continues to influence the fashion industry.

Luella Dayrell Bartley is an English fashion designer, magazine editor and former journalist based in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Imitation of Christ (designs)</span>

Imitation of Christ is a conceptual art project and fashion label started by former American art students Matthew Damhave and Tara Subkoff. The project initially began as an art collective, evolving into a fashion line made up of entirely recycled pieces of clothing, which Subkoff and others hand-sewed. The group enacted "guerrilla"-style fashion shows, with models including Scarlett Johansson and Chloë Sevigny.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lissy Trullie</span> Musical artist

Elizabeth McChesney, better known by the stage name Lissy Trullie, is an American singer-songwriter and former model. She released her debut EP, Self-Taught Learner, in February 2009, and as of 2009, performed with a band named Lissy Trullie. She released her full-length debut album on April 10, 2012. She was previously the lead singer for the rock band Zipper Club.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isabel Marant</span> French fashion designer

Isabel Marant is a French fashion designer, owner of the eponymous fashion brand. She won the Award de la Mode (1997), the Whirlpool Award for best female designer (1998), Fashion Designer of the Year at British Glamour's Women of the Year Awards (2012). She was named Contemporary Designer of the Year at the Elle Style Awards in 2014. Her collaboration with H&M in 2013 was so successful that company's website crashed under the demand and the collection was sold out within 45 minutes. Celebrities wearing Marant's designs include Alexa Chung, Katie Holmes, Victoria Beckham, Kate Moss, Sienna Miller, Kate Bosworth, and Rachel Weisz.

Bay Garnett is a British freelance fashion stylist, author, editor, creative director and advocate for sustainability in fashion.

Kimberly Ovitz is an American fashion designer and founder/creative director of the fashion line Kimberly Ovitz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hana Mae Lee</span> Korean-American actress, model, comedian, and fashion designer

Hana Mae Lee is an American actress, model, comedian, and fashion designer. She is best known for playing the role of Lilly Onakuramara in the musical comedy Pitch Perfect film series (2012–2017) and the role of Sonya in the horror comedy film The Babysitter (2017) and its 2020 sequel. Lee also owns the fashion line Hanamahn.

<i>Hashtag Horror</i> 2015 American film

#Horror is a 2015 American horror thriller film written and directed by Tara Subkoff, and starring Chloë Sevigny, Timothy Hutton, Natasha Lyonne, Taryn Manning, and Balthazar Getty. The plot follows a group of wealthy 7th grade girls who face a night of terror together after a social media game that twisted out of control.

<i>Lizzie</i> (2018 film) American film directed by Craig William Macneill

Lizzie is a 2018 American biographical thriller film directed by Craig William Macneill, written by Bryce Kass, and starring Chloë Sevigny, Kristen Stewart, Jay Huguley, Jamey Sheridan, Fiona Shaw, Kim Dickens, Denis O'Hare, and Jeff Perry. It is based on the true story of Lizzie Borden, who was accused and acquitted of the axe murders of her father and stepmother in Fall River, Massachusetts, in 1892. Sevigny also served as a co-producer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chloë Sevigny filmography</span> Actress filmography

Chloë Sevigny is an American actress and director who made her film debut in the controversial 1995 drama Kids, portraying a teenage girl in inner-city New York who discovers she is HIV-positive. She went on to appear in several independent features, including two directed by her then-boyfriend, Harmony Korine : Gummo (1997) and Julien Donkey-Boy (1998), before obtaining a lead role as Lana Tisdel in Boys Don't Cry (1999), a fact-based drama about the murder of trans man Brandon Teena. The film earned her numerous accolades, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

References

  1. ↑ "United States Public Records, 1970-2009," database, FamilySearch (May 22, 2014), Tara Lyn Subkoff, Residence, West Hollywood, California, United States; a third party aggregator of publicly available information.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Karni, Annie (March 12, 2012). "Imitation of Christ designer Tara Subkoff can't escape life of drama". The New York Post. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
  3. ↑ Krenticl, Faran (October 10, 2013). "Tara Subkoff Tells Us Why She Doesn't Want to be James Franco When She Grows Up". Elle. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
  4. ↑ Swanson, Carl (January 7, 2016). "134 Minutes With... Tara Subkoff and Urs Fischer". The New Yorker. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Tara Subkoff". Paper Magazine. April 2001. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
  6. ↑ "New Films". New York Magazine: 116. April 28, 1997 – via Google Books. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  7. ↑ Mitchell, Elvis (August 18, 2000). "The New York Times Film Reviews 1999–2000". p. 369.
  8. ↑ Rubin, Rebecca (October 12, 2017). "Actress Tara Subkoff Says Harvey Weinstein Sexually Harassed Her". Variety . Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Wyma, Chloe (September 14, 2012). ""This Is Not a Fashion Show": Accidental Designer Tara Subkoff's New Performance". Blouinartinfo. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  10. 1 2 "Imitation of Christ". Elle. September 9, 2005. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Imitation of Christ Runway". Elle. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  12. 1 2 3 "Imitation of Christ: Label Overview". NY Mag. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  13. ↑ Alford, Holly Price; Stegemeyer, Anne (2014). Who's Who in Fashion. Bloomsbury. p. 62. ISBN   978-1-609-01969-3.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  14. ↑ Subkoff, Tara (September 12, 2012). "Imitation by Tara Subkoff - Fashion Week 2012". Pix11 (Interview). Interviewed by Alison McLaughlin. Video on YouTube.
  15. ↑ Lucat, André. "MARELLA, MILLA JOVOVICH, AND TARA SUBKOFF CELEBRATE THEIR FUTURE / PERFECT INSTALLATION IN VENICE". Interview. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  16. ↑ Krentcil, Faran (May 29, 2015). "EXCLUSIVE: A FIRST LOOK AT TARA SUBKOFF'S MILLENNIAL HORROR FLICK STARRING CHLOË SEVIGNY". Elle. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  17. ↑ Symonds, Alexandria (May 21, 2015). "Tara Subkoff Does Cannes". The New York Times. Travel Diary. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
  18. ↑ "Tara Subkoff reveals LA inspiration behind the Chloë Sevigny short "Magic Hour"". Huck Magazine. December 14, 2014. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  19. ↑ "Actress Tara Subkoff buys a towering Streamline Moderne in Silver Lake". Los Angeles Times. June 21, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  20. ↑ Aleksander, Irina (April 22, 2010). "Tara Subkoff Talks to Derek Blasberg About Her Brain Surgery in Harper's Bazaar". The Observer. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  21. ↑ Blasberg, Derek (April 17, 2010). "Tara Subkoff: 'I survived a brain tumor!'". Harpers Bazaar. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  22. ↑ "Watch Chloe Sevigny Act Like an Asshole NY-to-LA Transplant". Curbed. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.