A substantial portion of After the Hunt focuses on the complex dynamics between Yale professor Alma Imhoff (played by Julia Roberts) and her mentee Maggie Resnick (portrayed by Ayo Edebiri), whose relationship becomes strained when Resnick levels accusations of sexual misconduct against one of Imhoff’s colleagues. Vogue interviewed Giulia Piersanti about her enduring friendship with director Luca Guadagnino, contrasting her experiences in fashion design and film costuming, and her decision to avoid overt femininity and coziness in the wardrobe choices for Imhoff and Resnick.
Vogue: Could you tell us how you and Luca first crossed paths?
Giulia Piersanti: We were introduced several years ago through a mutual friend at a dinner. Our friendship has endured over time. I was in my early twenties then, and although we began as friends, we later started collaborating on projects together.
Your collaboration with Guadagnino spans a decade; what aspects of your partnership do you cherish the most?
Firstly, there’s a deep friendship component to it. Whenever Luca and I work on films, we opt to stay in the same hotel, and we often spend time together, both during and outside of work. We share a strong connection. When collaborating on a project, I genuinely think about how I can best assist my friend’s vision. Luca’s personality astounds me; he’s incredibly versatile, managing everything from filming to fashion shoots and even architectural projects. Whenever I feel fatigued, I remind myself, If Luca can tackle this, so can I. [Laughs.] He undoubtedly inspires me the most, with his immense talent and the many shared interests we explore together.
How does your work with Guadagnino differ from your position as head of knitwear at Celine?