Are you a designer looking for inspiration or just a fashion lover looking to thirst your fashion thirst? You’ve come to the right place. We have hand-picked a great list of fashion movies and documentaries that are a sure feast. And no you won’t be needing popcorn for this but your brain to soak in all the glamour moments you are going to experience. Be ready for a fashion make-over and lots of design inspirations.
The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
You probably have watched it but yes, this had to be top of the list. The Devil Wears Prada is the perfect fashion movie. The movie showcases the great 2000s Chanel fashion collection from head-to-toe. The stunning Andie ( Anne Hathaway) sense of style did not disappoint one bit.
In the Mood for Love (2000)
In this film, costume designer William Chang dresses Actress Maggie Cheung in a different qipao in every scene. Yes, every single scene! William Chang created 46 new dresses for the film so be ready for some fashion feast.
Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé (2019)
Another great feast for fashion is Beyonce’s Homecoming documentary that shows her preparing for her Coachella set in 2018. The film showcases an entire wardrobe created by Olivier Rousteing, the Balmain creative director. You can catch the documentary on Netflix.
Phantom Thread (2017)
This is a film about an obsessive-compulsive dressmaker creating designs for the wealthy. The film is set in London in the 1950s. The role is played by Daniel Day-Lewis who manages to reveal to us the amount of work that goes into creating couture designs. It’s a great learning experience for fashion designers.
Annie Hall (1977)
Diane Keaton brings out her true fashion character in this film. Having insisted on choosing her wardrobe, we can all agree that she nailed it from the high-waisted trousers to the loose-fitting buttoned shirts. This alone contributed highly to the film winning Best Picture film.
Clueless (1995)
This must be every girl’s sleepover flick. Adapted from Jane Austen’s Emma, the film brings out an amazing fashion reveal. The most outstanding being the outrageous headwear and the tartan two pieces. What makes this movie timeless is the numerous fashion scenes in it. There are almost 60 different costumes and each is outstanding. There are bright youthful colors, neutrals, classics designs like the shift dresses and peacoats. There is just so much to be drawn to and the pieces are still wearable decades later.
The Great Gatsby (2013)
This has got to be the most stylish movie to come out of Australia. And why not? The film received 1,200 suit pieces from Brooks Brothers, 40 dresses from Miuccia Prada, and diamond headpieces designed by Tiffany to be worn by Carey Mulligan’s Daisy. All this was the sole effort of Catherine Martin who ensured her husband Baz Luhrmann succeeded by all means.
Gone With the Wind (1939)
Watching this 4-hour film would have been exhausting had it not been for the film’s most captivating elements- the costumes. They were so magnificently designed from the burgundy ball gown to the green curtain dress. Truth be told, Walter Plunkett once again proved that he was the Hollywood costume legend.
Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
Forget the murder spree and the captivating love story. The fashion sense in this film was conspicuous. The v-neck sweaters, the Norfolk jackets, berets, scarves, and the colored stockings made all the difference.
Marie Antoinette (2006)
For this film, it did help that Sofia Coppola is no stranger to fashion and elegant styles. It’s the reason the film was filled with dramatic gowns, ornate fans, and embellished wigs.
Blow Up (1966)
This film is a reminder of why Veruschka is still one of the great supermodels. In this film, Michelangelo Antonioni chronicles the life of a fashion photographer who takes a shot of something he believes to be part of a murder. The film that takes place in London in the 1960s brings out the stylish side of fashion photography.
Uptown Girls (2003)
In this film, Brittany Murphy acts as an heiress who is forced to become a nanny after losing her fortune. She is dressed in designer cocktail dresses and heels by Sarah Edwards all through the film. It is this dress that makes this film a worth fashion movie to watch.
Blade Runner (1982)
A classic feast and inspiration for fashion designers. The movie has so much influenced the fashion runway shows like the Raf Simons spring 2018, Yohji Yamamoto 2017 fall show as well as the Dries Van Noten spring 2020.
The September Issue (2009)
The September Issue marked the first time we all got a real insight into the ongoings of a fashion magazine. The film is a story of the stiff relationship between the creative director Grace Coddington and Editor-in-chief Anna Wintour as they work towards creating the most important magazine issue on the calendar, the September issue. It depicts the creation of the American Vogue’s 2007 September issue.
Sex And the City (2008)
Patricia Field did an amazing job with Miranda, Samantha, Carie, and Charlotte’s costumes. The most outstanding being the bridal photoshoot, Vivienne’s wedding gown, and the fashion week. If you missed this great show, you can catch the reruns on E! To enjoy the glamorous fashion scenes.
Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009)
Based on the book by Sophie Kinsella, this film features a shopaholic drowned in debt by her shopping addiction. The role played by Isla Fisher has lots of glamour moments. She tries to get a job at a fashion magazine but instead gets a columnist job at a financial publication. What an irony? All in all, she becomes a hit with her writing as she struggles to pay off her debt.
Pretty Woman (1990)
What else would you expect from Pretty Woman if not thigh-high boots, a red off-the-shoulder gown and not to mention a diamond necklace worth $250,000? That pretty much sums up the glamour and shopping spree moments in this film that took the 90s by the storm.
Moulin Rouge! (2001)
Moulin Rouge is a masterpiece not just for the storyline but for the epic costumes. Costume designer Catherine Martin did an exemplary job from the bejeweled corsets, the crimson gown to the feathered negligee.
Coco Before Chanel (2009)
Coco Before Chanel is a film that focuses on the Coco Chanel legend designer’s life. It starts off with her early life and his early struggles building the brand. We also get to see much about her relationship with Arthur Capel, the English businessman who stole her heart away.
Being a Coco Chanel story, you know its fashion glamour going down throughout the movie. The film was nominated for four BAFTA Awards as well as the Academy Award for being the Best Costume Design.
Love Story (1970)
MacGraw brought her A-game fashion knowledge to the set in Love Story. Her role influenced the fashion trends in the 70s. With her experience working at the Harper Bazaar as the assistant to editor Diana Vreeland, it was only given that her taste would reflect in the film. She even brought her own collection to the set. Her striped scarf, knitted beanie, and camel coat all become an instant hit.
A Simple Favor (2018)
In this film, Blake plays the role of a troubled employee working in the fashion industry. Her dressing is inspired by Paul Feig, the film director, who dresses in power suits even on his off days. And with Blake’s live character, A simple Favour really is an awesome watch for fashion lovers. really made this film lively.
Dior and I (2014)
This a documentary tracking the life of Raf Simon. It takes us through his first collection at the Dior fashion house and highlights the immense pressure that designers go through. You will also get to see the other geniuses behind every haute couture collection like the seamstresses.
Some have termed the film it as a foreshadow of Raf’s sudden exit from Dior after just three and a half years at the power fashion house. Whether true or not, it did give us a hint into why had to quit.
The True Cost (2015)
This is a documentary that explores the real making of clothes from the sourcing of raw materials, what it takes to source the materials all the way to the production. Most importantly, the documentary shows us the other side of fashion, the environmental impact of the whole process, and the environmental price we pay for. The film features interviews from Livia Firth, Vandana Shiva, and Stella McCartney. The documentary is not meant to make you guilty for unconscious shopping but to educate you on eco-friendly and sustainable fashion.
Yves Saint Laurent (2014)
This French biopic is a story about designer Yves Saint Laurent. His prolific fashion career, and long term relationship with actor Pierre Berge. It also features Yves’s several controversies as well as his dismissal from Dior which also was controversial for a long time.
Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (2019)
The late actress’s ethereal style was very well captured in this film by costume designer Arianne Phillips. It made the film full of chic and vintage moments. If you are a vintage fanatic, you will appreciate the effort put in by Arianne.
Black Panther (2018)
We must admit, Ruth E. Carter did an exceptional job with the costumes. Designing for a whole nation (Wakanda) was no mean work. And it all came out beautifully to showcase the other side of African traditional fashion. Carter truly deserved the oscar, especially with the ceremonial garb for the royal family.
High Society (1956)
If there is any better description of Grace Kelly, it has to be classic timeless beauty. And Helen Rose did justice to her with the exquisite costuming throughout this film. But what would you expect from this award-winning costume designer? Apparently, it’s the same designer that created her wedding dress when she married her Prince charming, Prince Rainier III of Monaco.
Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
Crazy Rich Asians is a story about the wealthiest families in Asia and their extra lavish lifestyles. The film also features one of the most stylish women in Asia, Astrid Leong. The stars are dressed in beautiful couture designs ranging from vintage to contemporary. Noticeably is the Swarovski wedding dress worn by the bride Araminta Lee. There are also lots of epic red carpet moments.
Atomic Blonde (2017)
Another girl’s fashion feast is Atomic Blonde. Charlize Theron is dressed by costume designer Cindy Evans in the 80’s style. From the film, we get to see Burberry trenches, Margiela suits, John Galliano vinyl coats among others- all classics from the 80s.
Ocean’s Eight (2018)
This female remake of Ocean’s Eleven is a fashion feast. It’s packed with all the fashion stars from Sandra Bullock, Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, Serena Williams, Dakota Fanning to Cate Blanchett, all known for their epic fashion sense. It’s no wonder they pulled this effortlessly.
Travels with my Aunt (1972)
In 1973, this film won the Best Costume Design at the Academy Awards for its ecstatic glamour and extra lavish outfits. As the adventure unfolds, we get to see a mix of dramatic hats, exquisite gowns, fur-trimmed frocks, and other flamboyant pieces. And there goes our list. Be sure to share which interests you most.