Oleg Cassini, famous designer to stars, remembered this fashion week, designs his last fashion for independent romantic thriller, "Say it in Russian"

Hollywood, CA (PRWEB) February 19, 2009 -- He was the fashion designer who got his start designing costumes for Marilyn Monroe, Natalie Wood, Grace Kelley and Gene Tierney, then went on to become the exclusive designer for first lady Jacqueline Kennedy in her White House years. Oleg Cassini, the fashion czar who left Hollywood and the White House to build his own fashion empire in the 1960's and 70's, came back to film in 2006, designing the costumes for Faye Dunaway's performances in "Say it in Russian," debuting in theaters May 4th.

Cassini started in Hollywood, working under Edith Head, and was hired by Paramount Pictures, where he designed fashions for some of the most notable stars in Hollywood history. "Its only fitting that his last design was for Academy Award Winner Faye Dunaway," said Kenneth Eade, Executive Producer. "Our film has a Golden Age look to it. We're fortunate to have one of the greatest stars of all time in it, and the fact that Cassini designed her costumes is like icing on the cake," he added.

Of course, when she told him she was starring in her first U.S. feature film, he was more than happy to lend a hand

Leading lady, Russian actress Agata Gotova, met Cassini when she was doing her celebrity interview show, "Autograph.." "Of course, when she told him she was starring in her first U.S. feature film, he was more than happy to lend a hand," said Eade. "He gave us the wedding dresses from his spectacular line for the wedding scene, and sent over boxes of fashions for Agata and the other cast members to try on." But, as told by Gotova, "When Oleg found out that Faye Dunaway was starring in our film, he designed something especially for her." Unfortunately, it was the last design of his career, as he passed away shortly thereafter. "We had just arrived at our first day of shooting in Los Angeles, after a week of shooting in Moscow and Paris," said Gotova. "I was in the makeup trailer when the costumer told me that Oleg had passed away. I couldn't stop crying."

Cassini's fashions made history in the 60's, starting trends like the high waist gown and the pill box hat. His fashions are so notable that they have been displayed in the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. He was French born, of Italian nobility, but his father's roots are from Imperial Russia. His personal life was no less spectacular than his professional one. He was married to Hollywood icon Gene Tierney and dated Grace Kelley before her marriage to Price Ranier of Monaco.

Imperia Entertainment, Inc. 's (Pink Sheets: IMPN) award winning romantic thriller, 'Say it in Russian' will have its theatrical debut initially in 91 cities across the United States as part of Carmike Cinemas' Independent Film Series. South Carolina based domestic distributor, Dalton Pictures, predicts a successful run for the film followed by an extended release. The Independent Film Series will make the first time that a major theater chain has run a series of truly independent films on the silver screen. Filmed in Paris, Moscow and Los Angeles, with exceptional cinematography and a fully orchestrated original score, "Say it in Russian" stars Russian actress Agata Gotova, in the lead role of the film as Daria Larina, the daughter of a rich Russian mafia oligarch played by Serbian actor Rade Serbedzija. Gotova's character falls in love with the American Andrew Lamont, played by actor Steven Brand, but Andrew soon finds on a visit to Moscow that he is involved with a family that is more complicated and dangerous than he ever imagined. The film also stars Academy Award Winner Faye Dunaway, who plays the role of Jacqueline, a Paris socialite who acts as the matchmaker for Andrew and Daria.

"Say it in Russian" is the official selection for the 2009 Honolulu International Film Festival, the 2009 Omaha Film Festival, the 2008 Geneva Film Festival, and the 2008 Other Venice Film Festival, and the winner of Best Big Budget Film from the Myrtle Beach International Film Festival, a Silver World Medal from the New York Festivals 2009 International Film and Video Awards, Winner of Best in Show from The Indie Distribution Fest, as well as the winner of Best Cinematography and Best Supporting Actor.