New York, NY – Acclaimed actress and director Natasha Lyonne is set to embark on her feature film directorial project, Bambo, enlisting the formidable talents of fashion icon Carlos Nazario as the film’s costume designer. This collaboration marks Nazario’s significant debut in feature film costume design, signaling a powerful fusion of cinematic storytelling and high-fashion artistry. Lyonne, who is also penning the script, has envisioned Bambo as a vibrant, 1980s-set narrative that plunges into the tumultuous life of a Brooklyn-born boxing promoter. The story chronicles his ambitious, albeit ultimately unsuccessful, pursuit of emulating the legendary Don King, dragging his young daughter along for a chaotic journey fraught with tax evasion, illicit substances, high-speed pursuits, shattered aspirations, and profound heartbreak.
The casting for the pivotal role of the daughter is reportedly nearing completion, with Joey King reportedly in discussions to star. Lyonne will produce the film through her production company, Animal Pictures, in partnership with Craig Mazin for Word Games, Jason Weinberg, and Sarah Sarandos. Principal photography is slated to commence this summer, promising a dynamic and visually rich cinematic experience.
Carlos Nazario: A Fashion Industry Powerhouse Steps into Film
Carlos Nazario’s ascent in the fashion world has been meteoric, cementing his reputation as an influential image-maker renowned for his innovative and striking aesthetic. His work spans the most prestigious red carpets and influential media platforms, where he has styled an impressive roster of global superstars. His client list reads like a who’s who of contemporary culture, including music mogul Rihanna, reality television titan Kim Kardashian, Grammy-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar, supermodel Kendall Jenner, fashion icon Bella Hadid, pop superstar Miley Cyrus, boundary-pushing artist Solange, and acclaimed actresses Zoe Kravitz and Naomi Campbell.
Nazario’s recent return to Vogue as contributing style director under the esteemed editorship of Chloë Malle has already yielded significant impact. One of his earliest assignments was styling the cover for Spanish global sensation RosalÃa, a moment he described as "truly full circle," underscoring his deep connection to the publication and its editorial vision. More recently, he captivated audiences by styling Doja Cat for a Vogue cover, presenting the artist in a bold and arresting menswear-inspired ensemble, further solidifying his reputation for pushing creative boundaries.
Beyond his celebrated work with individual artists and publications, Nazario holds a significant place in fashion history. He is recognized as the first Black stylist to design a cover for American Vogue, a groundbreaking achievement that underscores his pioneering spirit and influence within the industry. Demonstrating his commitment to social and political engagement, Nazario also styled U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for the cover of Vanity Fair. The ensemble chosen for this high-profile feature was a deliberate selection from a Black designer hailing from Ocasio-Cortez’s own district, highlighting Nazario’s ability to blend fashion with meaningful representation and advocacy.
A Career Forged in Style and Innovation
Prior to his current role at Vogue, Nazario served as style director at large for Harper’s Bazaar, where he continued to shape editorial trends and elevate the visual language of the magazine. He concluded his tenure at Harper’s Bazaar in January with a final, memorable shoot featuring Kaia Gerber, leaving an indelible mark on the publication. A native of Queens, New York, Nazario’s extensive portfolio showcases collaborations with some of the world’s most respected fashion photographers and editors. His stylistic imprint can be found on covers for prestigious publications such as Italian Vogue, The New York Times‘ style magazine T, i-D, M Le Monde, L’uomo Vogue, and W. His career trajectory also includes impactful stints at luxury fashion house Marc Jacobs, the influential fashion magazine W, Katie Grand’s Love, and a significant tenure as fashion director for the avant-garde streetwear label Hood by Air, a period that cemented his reputation for forward-thinking and boundary-pushing design.
"Bambo": A Deep Dive into the 1980s Underbelly
The setting of Bambo in the 1980s offers a rich tapestry of cultural and economic shifts that can profoundly influence its visual and narrative landscape. This era was characterized by a surge in entrepreneurial ambition, often bordering on excess, and a burgeoning fascination with the spectacle of professional sports, particularly boxing. The figure of Don King, a controversial yet undeniably charismatic promoter, loomed large, embodying a certain brand of aggressive business acumen and media savvy that defined the decade’s aspirational, and sometimes corrupt, underbelly.
The narrative’s exploration of tax evasion and cocaine hints at the darker, more illicit undercurrents that often accompanied the glitz and glamour of the era. The "hurly burly ride" promises a frenetic pace, mirroring the high stakes and rapid-fire decisions that likely characterized the protagonist’s rise and fall. The inclusion of "race cars" suggests a lifestyle of conspicuous consumption and a need for speed, both literal and metaphorical, in his pursuit of success. Ultimately, the film’s thematic core appears to revolve around the poignant themes of "lost dreams and heartbreak," suggesting a character study of ambition gone awry and the personal toll it takes.
The choice of Lyonne as director and writer is particularly noteworthy. Known for her distinctive voice and unflinching portrayal of complex characters in projects like Russian Doll, Lyonne possesses a unique ability to navigate themes of existentialism, addiction, and the search for meaning. Her directorial vision for Bambo is expected to bring a sharp, darkly comedic, and emotionally resonant perspective to the material. Her established relationships within the entertainment industry, evident in her production team, further bolster the anticipation for this project.
Lyonne’s Expanding Cinematic Universe
Bambo represents Lyonne’s second foray into feature film direction, following her announcement last year of the AI-centric film Uncanny Valley. This earlier project, produced by Asteria Film Co., a hybrid AI studio co-founded by Lyonne and Bryn Mooser, is set within the immersive world of video games. Uncanny Valley aims to blend live-action with game elements, focusing on a teenage girl whose life is upended by a massively popular augmented reality video game in a parallel present. Lyonne is co-writing this ambitious project with futurist and veteran tech executive Jaron Lanier, highlighting her keen interest in exploring the intersection of technology and human experience.
Lyonne’s prolific career continues to expand, with several high-profile projects slated for 2026. She is set to appear in HBO’s highly anticipated season of Euphoria, Taika Waititi’s adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel Klara and the Sun, and the Netflix comedy Roommates, produced by Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions. Furthermore, she is attached to star in and produce the horror-comedy Basketful of Heads. As a Golden Globe-nominated star and producer of the acclaimed series Poker Face, Lyonne is also collaborating with Matt Berry to co-create and star in Sky’s retro comedy Force & Majeure. This diverse slate of projects underscores Lyonne’s versatility and her continued commitment to pushing creative boundaries across various genres and platforms.
The collaboration between Natasha Lyonne and Carlos Nazario on Bambo promises a film that is not only narratively compelling but also visually stunning. Nazario’s celebrated ability to imbue his styling with character and storytelling, coupled with Lyonne’s directorial acumen, suggests that Bambo will be a significant cinematic event, offering a stylish and incisive exploration of ambition, consequence, and the indelible bonds of family against the vibrant backdrop of the 1980s. The film is poised to leverage Nazario’s unique talent for visual narrative, translating his fashion expertise into a cinematic language that will undoubtedly define the film’s aesthetic and further elevate Lyonne’s directorial profile.
