Looking for the best and classic fashion movies to watch right away? We feel you, so look no further because we’ve listed the best of the best. You’ve welcome.
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Fashion movies
Nothing better than an evening full of fashion movies, spent all by yourself with a great glass of wine. Hopefully, you’re able to have a night off – whatever you do, because a night spent with these movies is beter than every self-care routine on the internet.
1. McQueen
McQueen tells the story about legendary Alexander McQueen’s life, eight years after his death. The documentary shows interviews and behind the scenes moments that were never shown before, leading to an intimate look into the designer’s life.
2. Ready to Wear
Ready to wear a.k.a. Pret-à-Porter hosts films stars Sophia Loren, Julia Roberts, and Kim Basinger. However, more credits should go to the real-life personalities featured in the movie: Jean Paul Gaultier, Thierry Mugler, Claude Montana, Sonia Rykiel, and Cher amongst others. This films tells the truth about the harsh fashion industry back in the ’90s.
3. The September Issue
Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour was followed by a bunch of cameras before the launch of Vogue’s renowned yearly September Issue. The film depicts the effort that goes into this important issue and reveals the symbiotic relationship between Anna Wintour and Grace Coddington. One of the best fashion movies – or documentaries – made so far.
4. Jeremy Scott: The People’s Designer
This 2015 documentary directed by Vlad Yudin shows the life of Missouri born designer Jeremy Scott. Though there were some critics saying that the story wasn’t that much about the man himself, but more about the buzz around the designer, it gives a good view on Scott’s way of life. And that’s quite inspiring if you ask us.
5. Valentino: The Last Emperor
This 2008 documentary is definitely one of the best fashion movies of its decade. It tells the story of one of Italy’s most famous designers. Valentino Garavani – now 87 years old – started his career in Paris, but got his biggest successes in Rome. Perhaps the best part of the documentary centers around his relationship with Giancarlo Giammetti, that lasted for fifty years.
6. The True Cost
While this documentary isn’t fun and cosy to watch, it should definitely be on this list. In this relatively new documentary director Andrew Morgan focuses on the truth about the fast fashion industry. The director explored the lives of low-wage workers in developing countries, togethers with its side-effects such as environmental pollution. A true eye-opener.
7. Dior and I
Frédéric Tcheng wrote the script of Dior and I, released in 2014. Tcheng focused on the life of Raf Simons’ work for Christian Dior. The movies focuses on Simons’ debut season at the renowned fashion house.
8. Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel
Diana Vreeland has been famous for her fashion career and jobs at Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. The movie starts with an elaboration on Vreeland’s childhood, and explores her entire life as the story goes on, with an emphasis on her time at Vogue.
9. Iris
Legendary fashion icon Iris Apfel (“More is more and less is a bore”) has the leading role at an age of 96 in her own documentary. In this film, she elaborates on her life, why she’s still so “vivid and vertial” and how she views the world. A much needed dose of happiness and inspiration.
10. The Fifth Element
In The Fifth Element (1997), you take a trip to the 23rd century, with Milla Jovovich in the leading role. Not only is her acting close to perfection, the over 1,000 (!) costumes Jean Paul Gaultier created for this movie are. Truly iconic and a must-watch.
11. Bill Cunningham New York
Bill Cunningham was one of the most legendary street style photographers that has ever lived. If Anna Wintour says that “everyone gets dressed because of Bill Cunningham”, then you know it’s true.
Watch the entire documentary below.
12. Larger Than Life: The Kevyn Aucoin Story
Kevyn James Aucoin has been a renowned make-up artist throughout his entire life. This 2017 documentary was released fifteen years after his death in 2002, and shows how Aucoin was the first make-up artist to achieve a celebrity status.
13. Phantom Thread
In Phantom Thread, Daniel Day-Lewis and Lesley Manville depict the story of a difficult couturier, who’s a genius as well. While it might not sound very idiomatic, it’s worth the watch.
14. Unzipped
Evangelista, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Shalom Harlow, and Carla Bruni, but also front-row mainstays like Sandra Bernhard and Liza Minnelli were the stars of Isaac Mizrahi’s label back in the days. This documentary (1995) shows the carefree atmosphere fashion faced during the ’90s.
15. Gia
Script writers Michael Cristofer and Jay McInerney didn’t know they would be held responsible for Angelina Jolie’s breakout role in this movie – telling the story about a freshly discovered super model (Jolie) and her agent (Faye Dunaway).
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