13 Must Watch Fashion Documentaries

 
 

Fashion films have the power to spark inspiration and fantasy. Ever since some of the world’s most prestigious fashion houses pe the doors for a behind-the-scenes look the results have been endless amounts of creative fashion documentaries. The films also allow you to learn more about fashion history and have a rare insight into some of your favorite designers.

  • Dior and I (2014)

  • If you want a look inside the world of couture then I would highly suggest you watch Dior and I. The film tells a story about Raft Simmons as he creates his debut collection at the house. The intense journey shows how he faced challenges and helped his vision come to life. 

  • McQueen (2018)

    • This film is centered around the rich and extravagant mind of the legendary designer, Alexander McQueen. Spanning McQueen's career, the film shows his boundary-breaking fashion shows and he became a legend in the industry. 

  • In Vogue: The Editor’s Eye (2015)

    • In 2015 the US Vogue editors returned to screens with In Vogue: The Editor’s Eye, commemorating the magazine’s 120th anniversary. Instead of focusing on a specific issue like the previous film, In Vogue: The Editor’s Eye takes a look at how some of the publication’s most famous editorials came to life. As well as the editors, many a famous face that has contributed to the magazine’s legacy makes an appearance, with the film featuring interviews with design talents such as Marc Jacobs and Nicolas Ghesquière, and Hollywood stars including Sarah Jessica Parker and Nicole Kidman.

  • Iris (2014)

    • Iris Apfel’s signature style has made her instantly recognizable. From her New Yorker drawl to her oversized Jackie O-style frames, her style has definitely earned her a spot in New York’s legendary style icons list. The film is an in-depth look at Iris’s free spirit that reminds us that fashion is fleeting but style is forever. 

  • 7 Days Out (2018)

    • Chanel is one of the most promising houses in the fashion industry and features the late creative director, Karl Lagerfeld’s work. 7 Days Out focuses on the week leading up to the spring/summer 2018 couture collection and backstage as Karl walks through casting and fittings.

  • The September Issue (2009)

    • The documentary follows the creation of American Vogue's 2007 September issue, which is traditionally one of the most important issues of the year. When the documentary was first released it gave the public an insight into the inner workings of Vogue. The film also centers on the former magazine's creative director, Anna Wintour. 

  • Inside Dior (2016)

    • This two-part documentary follows Raft Simon’s exit and goes behind the scenes of the hunt for a new creative director, following in the footsteps of Yves Saint Laurent, John Galliano, and, of course, Christian Dior. The series offers a unique insight into the luxury French fashion house and the transitional period between designers in the lead-up to the appointment of Maria Grazia Chiuri.

  • Catwalk (1995)

    • Supermodels are just as famous as the designers in the fashion industry. Catwalk follows supermodels Christy Turlington Burns over the course of spring/summer 1994 shows. The film also documents the journey of models Kate Moss and Helena Christensen as they became household names.

  • Dries (2017)

    • The film focuses on Dries Van Noten, a Belgian designer, and his creative process. The documentary is filmed over the course of a year and gives you an insight into his life and how he creates some of his collections.

  • Westwood: Punk. Icon. Activist.

    • Vivienne Westwood is an iconic British fashion designer who dominated the fashion industry for decades. Westwood: Punk. Icon. Activist. Takes a look at Westwood’s career from the beginning to where the brand is thus far. Focusing on the creativity and enthusiasm that made her the icon she is today.

  • Valentino: The Last Emperor (2008)

    • Almost 50 years ago in 1959, Valentino Garavani founded one of the world’s most celebrated fashion houses. The Last Emperor focuses on the professional life of the designer and pays tribute to his career as he prepares for his final show. You are also given a closer look at the relationship between him and his long-term partner in business and life, Giancarlo Giammetti.

  • The True Cost

    • The documentary goes behind the scenes of various mass-produced clothing factories. The documentary shows that it is an important acknowledgment of the hands and lives behind clothing, as well as an exercise in broadening the conversation around fashion.

  • House of Cardin (2019)

    • Pierre Cardin is a living legend and the subject of P David Ebersole and Todd Hughes’s latest project. It reflects on the French mogul’s impact on the industry, examining his collaborations with Christian Dior and his desire to democratize fashion through ready-to-wear and licensing. The film also features cameos from Naomi Campbell, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Sharon Stone, who praise Cardin’s remarkable vision, but the film is anchored by frank interviews with the man himself.

 
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