10 BINGEWORTHY FASHION FILMS
As we acknowledge what will hopefully be the last few months of the pandemic, let us suggest embracing the opportunity to dive into our favorite True Fashionista subject: fashion! An ongoing subject since the beginning of celluloid, celebrated fashion films are a part of our culture, from stylized fiction to cult classic and biopic. We’ve compiled 10 of the finer examples, so you can burrow beneath a cozy plush throw, a glass of wine and dig in.
The Devil Wears Prada (2006) – Yes of course it tops the list. Meryl Streep’s Oscar-nominated caricature of Anna Wintour and Anne Hathaway’s post-transformation Chanel ensemble are the icing on this fashion world tale of life lessons among the “clackers”.
Yves Saint Laurent (2014) – Jalil Lespert’s True Fashionista presentation of one of France’s biggest names in haute couture traces Saint Laurent’s life, from his head position at Dior in 1957 to the opening of his own fashion house in 1961 and relationship with Pierre Bergé. Pierre Niney earned the Best Actor César award (French equivalent to the Academy Awards) for his portrayal of Saint Laurent.
Funny Face (1957) – Audrey Hepburn’s character Jo finds herself living out a Cinderella story in this musical comedy, one of the last in the classic Hollywood genre. Her character, a Greenwich Village bookstore employee, begrudgingly becomes a model in 1950’s Paris for an American fashion publication and ends up falling in love with a photographer.
Zoolander 2 (2016) – Yes, the first one was also a spectacularly funny mock-up of the fashion world, but the sequel squeezes in so many cameos (Marc Jacobs, Vera Wang, Kate Moss, Valentino, to name a few), it’s refreshing to see some of the industry’s finest not taking themselves too seriously for once. And it’s really, really, ridiculously good looking (couldn’t help it).
Coco Before Chanel (2009) – Anne Fontaine’s biopic of Gabrielle Chanel stars Audry Tautou as the True Fashionista Mademoiselle, who was as passionate for her work as her love life. In this telling, the French director focused on the designer before her days of fame and glory in order to better understand the woman behind the fashion icon.
Moulin Rouge! (2001) – The costumes in Baz Luhrmann’s masterpiece, designed by his wife Catherine Martin and earned her an Oscar, almost take the shine off the incredible sets and performances. The story of a young English poet who falls in love with the star of the Moulin Rouge, is set in 1902 bohemian Paris, which called for True Fashionista bejeweled corsets and feathered negligees. The production garnered eight Oscar nominations and a win for Best Art Direction as well.
Dior and I (2014) - This critically acclaimed documentary tracks Raf Simons' first collection for powerhouse Christian Dior, highlighting the growing pressure put on fashion designers in the digital age, perhaps foreshadowing his surprising departure from Dior after only three and a half years at the helm.
The First Monday in May (2016) – Andrew Rossi’s documentary follows the year-long creation of the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute’s most attended fashion exhibit in history: China: Through the Looking Glass, as well as the accompanying True Fashionista Gala, a multimillion-dollar star-studded fundraising event. The film heavily features the daily life of Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and questions fashion as art.
Sex and the City (1998-2004, 2008, 2010) – Carrie Bradshaw and her crew of True Fashionista BFFs set the trend stage throughout this series run and its two additional movies. The Vivienne Westwood wedding dress, the bridal couture photo shoot, the fashion week appearance, oh and yes the Manolo Blahniks. Sex…made many a shoe designer’s name a household word.
Annie Hall (1977) – When a movie sets off a years-long fashion trend….Diane Keaton insisted on choosing her own wardrobe to play the title character in Woody Allen’s Best Picture-winning film; and boy are we grateful that she got her way. Keaton's unique take on androgyny has turned decades of women onto high-waisted trousers and loose-fitting button up shirts, and that’s a good thing, right?
Find pieces from the designers in the aforementioned films and many more in our daily updated collection at True Fashionistas. Stop in, discuss fashion movies, and shop away in store or online.