Sooyeon Lee Grand SlamThe Table
Tennis Champ Stars in Matthew Donaldson's Slow-Mo Homage to the SportKorean table tennis champion, actress and former model Sooyeon Lee challenges herself to a high-fashion endurance match in today's film by NOWNESS contributor Matthew Donaldson. "It's a vehicle to show how extraordinarily elegant she is," says the filmmaker and photographer, who enlisted stylist Katie Shillingford to emphasize Lee's technique. "The sport requires the body to jolt into action in an aggressive manner that is mesmerizing," she says. "I wanted the clothes to accentuate these movements.”
Shillingford commissioned designer Geraldine Chevrolet to create bespoke fringed tights, gloves and a hat, pairing the custom accessories with neon, black and nude jumpsuits, dresses and leggings from Christopher Kane, Mark Fast, Jil Sander and Versace. Originating in 1880s Britain as an after-dinner parlor game, the Olympic sport of table tennis has recently emerged as the boutique pastime of choice, evidenced by actress Susan Sarandon's SPiN, a chain of ping-pong clubs which counts Lee as its ambassador and has locations in New York, Toronto and Hollywood. "It's become very trendy," Lee observes. "It's sociable, you don't need to be super athletic and it's good for the brain."
Black jumpsuit with fringing by Mark Fast; boots custom made by Geraldine Chevrolet
Grey T-shirt with fringing by House of Holland; blue skirt with fringing by Matthew Williamson; shoes by Christian Louboutin
Fluorescent orange dress by Jil Sander; tights custom made by Geraldine Chevrolet; shoes by Christian Louboutin
Fluorescent yellow printed dress by Christopher Kane; shorts by Vanessa Bruno; hat and tights custom made by Geraldine Chevrolet; shoes by Christian Louboutin
Gold dress with fringing by Versace; shoes by Pringle of Scotland
White knitted dress with fringing by Shao Yen Chen; skirt and shoes by Pringle of Scotland
Styling by Katie Shillingford
Hair by Raphael Salley @ Streeters
Make-up by Ayami Nishimura @ Julian Watson
Styling assistants: Nell Kalonji and Eluned Stephens
Make-up assistant: Mika Shimoda
