From stolen pearls to a glove left at the scene of the crime, from an excess of red lipstick to the postmodern gangster silhouette, the 2nd Fashion in Film Festival: “If Looks Could Kill” explores the compelling links between cinema, fashion, crime and violence. Tackling themes such as disguise, the expression of desire, juvenile delinquency and the corruption of beauty, the festival features a string of underworld characters and their prosecutors whose highly effective costume, styling and sartorial gestures helped define cinematic genres from detective to thriller, gangster, film noir and horror .

Kick-starting the festival are newly commissioned artist films screened at Tate Modern, followed by other highlights such as the rare screenings of Dario Argento’s landmark Italian horror The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970); Elio Petri’s über-stylish futuristic thriller The Tenth Victim (1965); Mario Bava’s extravagant horror Blood and Black Lace (1963), set in a fashion salon; Vicente Aranda’s Fata Morgana (1965) based on, and starring Spain’s favourite ‘60s top model Teresa Gimpera; and Cindy Sherman’s darkly humorous flick Office Killer (1997). The festival is proud to present several London and UK premieres including Arne Mattsson’s Mannequin in Red (1958), filmed in stunning Eastmancolor, Kim Yong-gyun’s chilling thriller The Red Shoes (2005), and Karl Anton’s 1923 silent comedy The Kidnapping of Fux Banker, accompanied by a newly commissioned musical performance by DJ Charles Kriel. The vibrant programme also features a day of talks at the ICA: “TAKING STOCK: Cinema’s Reservoir of Criminal Looks and Gestures,” and more talks and film introductions by designers, critics and historians including Anna Battista, Bella Freud, Tom Gunning, Dylan Jones, Gilda Williams and Alice Rawsthorn.

Bringing together films from over ten countries, “If Looks Could Kill” presents an exciting opportunity to see highly acclaimed speakers, as well as a chance to revisit iconic classics and to discover rare archival gems.