The documentary “Dressed” tells the story of self-taught fashion designer Nary Manivong, a Laotian-American who went from being a homeless teenager in Columbus, Ohio, to a hot young New York fashionista.
So successful is Manivong that Tommy Hilfiger’s daughter, Alexandria, has gone into business with him. (Their label, NAHM, launches later this year.)
“Dressed” is an uplifting story to be sure, but director-producer David Swajeski doesn’t do it justice. It would be nice to know how Manivong’s early life influences his work and exactly what got him interested in the field to begin with.
And what drove him to do something that might seem impossible?
But instead of getting into Manivong’s psyche, we’re given a parade of talking heads telling us, over and over, how difficult it is to make a living in the fashion world. Like we didn’t already know that. What we want is the inside story on this talented young man.