Designers and stylists, style icons, photographers, models, subcultures and performers: L'Officiel has selected the top films and documentaries to add to your watch list.

The fashion world is awash with a wave of documentaries and feature films available on streaming platforms. It seems that everyone is eager to immerse themselves in the fashion industry, learn about it from the inside and share their insights. Social media has given everyone the opportunity to speak out about the phenomenon of brat culture, the next triumph of denim or the creative directors' staffing frenzy. But a true understanding of fashion requires not only the ability to dress beautifully, but also a deep immersion in art, music, history and even science. That's why movies and documentaries have become the perfect guides to this fascinating world.
For true fashion enthusiasts we have prepared a unique selection of must-see content: from behind the scenes of legendary designers to provocative stories of fashion rebels, from mesmerizing photo projects to shocking revelations of environmental problems in the textile industry. This collection of 45 films is a treasure trove for anyone who wants to be on trend. Get ready for an unforgettable visual journey into the world of high fashion!

Fashion Power: those who stand behind the scenes and make decisions

Magazine directors, sharp-tongued journalists, art directors and costume designers in movies. Fashion revealed from the inside is the main approach in the most recent narratives about the complex fashion ecosystem. What is hidden becomes taboo and therefore desirable: revealing this to the public was an ingenious move. When The September Issue was released in 2009, a documentary about the making of Vogue America's September issue, the most important and richest issue of the year, the fashion world reveled in the creative (and slightly magical) hysteria that hangs over the editorial staff of such a prestigious magazine, headed by a legendary figure, Anna Wintour. And what to say about Mademoiselle C (2013), Carine Roitfeld's transition after 10 years as director of French Vogue to create CR, the magazine of the same name? Or about the story arc of Andr&eacute; Leon Talley, the historical editor-at-large of Vogue America, an insightful and educated fashion journalist, a giant in every sense, who passed away in 2022 and is celebrated in The Gospel according to Andr&eacute; 2018? Below are movies about the history of fashion journalism.

Diana Vreeland: The eye has to travel (2011)

Diana Vreeland: The eye has to travel (2011)

Диана Вриланд — «Глаз должен путешествовать», официальный трейлер №1 (2012), документальный фильм о моде, HD

Editor of Harper's Bazaar in the '30s and then Vogue America, Diana Vreeland is still synonymous with creating fashion journalism with insight, courage and intuition. This film provides a portrait of a woman of great intellect, culture and humor, generous with wise sayings.

Franca: Chaos and Creation (2016)

Franca: Chaos and Creation (2016)

Франка: Хаос и созидание (трейлер)

Produced by Francesco Carrozzini's son, also a director, the film about the legendary director of Vogue Italia is a mural, in the intimacy of the mother/son relationship, of a charismatic and strong woman who, however, allows herself to be humbled and modest in the flow of images of her professional life at the center of the fashion system.

Anna Piaggi: Una visionaria della Moda (2016)

Anna Piaggi: Una visionaria della Moda (2016)

Анна Пьяджи: провидец моды. Клип 1

Fashion journalist Anna Piaggi, senior contributor to Vogue Italia, is celebrated (perhaps not enough) for her eccentric, free-spirited and personal style, as well as her culture and fashion insight. Known for her hybrid articles of photos, text and illustrations and legendary double pages, she was the wife of fashion photographer Alpha Castaldi. A woman so immersed in fashion that she was completely outside of it and above it. Worth checking out is the book D.P. Doppie pagine di Anna Piaggi. Fashion Algebra (Electa, 1998).

Jean-Paul Goude, So Far, So Goude (2016)

Jean-Paul Goude, So Far, So Goude (2016)

So Far So Goude - Выставка Жана-Поля Гуда

He says of himself that he is just a graphic designer. In fact, Jean-Paul Goode is an art director, photographer, director, illustrator, dancer, choreographer. A Parisian, he ran Esquire in the 60's and then expanded into all areas of creativity in fashion, music, television and art. Working closely with Chanel, for the double-C brand he created unforgettable TV commercials for the perfume segment. Vanessa Paradis is like a precious little bird in a cage, a male selfie for the viral story of the house's first men's fragrance. So Far, So Goude is a documentary about the anniversary exhibition of his multifaceted work, supported by Tod's and held at PAC in Milan in 2016. While In Goude we trust is the title of the second retrospective dedicated to the multifaceted Frenchman specifically Chanel in 2019.

Anthea Sylbert: My Life in 3 Acts

Anthea Sylbert: My Life in 3 Acts

Питч-трейлер художественного документального фильма «АНТЕЯ СИЛЬБЕРТ. МОЯ ЖИЗНЬ В 3 АКТАХ»

Anthea Silbert is a true pioneer. A twice Oscar-nominated costume designer, she worked on such iconic films as Rosemary's Baby and Chinatown, and designed Julie Christie's famous black dress for Shampoo (1975), probably inspired by the Guy Laroche model worn by Mireille Darque in Yves Robert's Le Grand Blond avec une chaussure noire, released in 1972. Sylbert was one of the few women of the New Hollywood era to move from the creative side of film to the commercial side: she worked as an executive at Warner Bros. and United Artists before co-founding SylbertHawn Film Productions with her close friend, actress Goldie Hawn. The documentary, produced by The Dark Candy, a studio specializing in documentaries focusing on the world of costume design for film, chronicles her extraordinary life spanning three decades of Hollywood history.

Persona: those who create fashion, make it and experience it firsthand

It is not only designers and fashion journalists who are at the center of the narrative of fashion documentaries. Fortunately, there are stories about people who use this very fashion, manipulate it, transform it for their own needs, that is, use it for a higher purpose, for the complex search for identity affirmation. Hypertrophied, maximalist, sometimes funny characters, but that doesn't make them wrong or inappropriate. On the contrary, it's great that they exist.

The Legend of Leigh Bowery (2003)

The Legend of Leigh Bowery (2003)

Легенда о Ли Бауэри | Художественный фильм 4:3

Director Charles Atlas documents the life and work of Australian Bowery, one of the most important figures of the English underground scene of the turbulent 80s. Atlas follows him until his death from AIDS in 1994. Performer, designer, icon, provocative, his images are still the starting point of a modern conception of identity projected into an ideal universe where gender is only a secondary issue. From London's Taboo club, he inspired an array of musical and non-musical characters, including Boy George, Damien Hirst, Alexander McQueen and Rick Owens, to name but a few of his many fans. This is a documentary that should be watched without judgment but with an admiring eye.

DANIEL LISMORE, My Life as work of art work, (TedTalk 2019)

DANIEL LISMORE, My Life as work of art work, (TedTalk 2019)

Моя жизнь как произведение искусства | Дэниел Лисмор

Lismore is a multifaceted artist, visionary, designer, sculptor and activist, fully immersed in the infinite and uncertain universe of the fashion system. The title of the book "Daniel Lismore: Be yourself everyone else is already taken" (published by Rizzoli International Editions) has become one of the winged quote-quotes of fashionistas all over the planet. It brings together styles and thoughts, visions and doubts, from which everyone can try to take a piece in search of their own self. His nine-minute presentation is full of important ideas and reflections filtered through the story of his relationship with fashion.

IRIS (2015)

IRIS (2015)

Официальный трейлер Iris 1 (2015) — документальный фильм об Айрис Апфель HD

Charisma, irony and a pronounced sense of style made Iris Apfel the queen of manifesto maximalism without an expiration date. Having become a fashion icon in her silver years after a successful life as an interior designer (she decorated the homes of many US presidents and more), at the age of 93 in 2015 she became the heroine of a documentary about her life and her aesthetic, made by director Albert Maysles, then 87 years old. It's a name worth remembering because he created another masterpiece of costume storytelling, Grey Gardens, released in 1975.

Fashion designers: where it all came from

Designers and creative directors are some of the most popular scripted characters in fashion documentaries. Not the latest High &amp; Low is John Galliano, a movie that brings the unbridled and piratical talent of couturier John Galliano back to the strict judgment of the world. Or the recent television series devoted to Karl Lagerfeld. Biographical films about Chanel, Valentino Garavani in The Last Emperor, released in 2008, Dior and I in 2014, where Raf Simons in 2012, 55 years after Monsieur Dior's death, takes the helm of the Maison and in eight weeks performs the miracle of creating a Haute Couture collection when usually much more is required. Here is a selected overview of the stories and unforgettable encounters.

Notebook on Cities and Clothes (1989)

Notebook on Cities and Clothes (1989)

Трейлер к фильму «Тетрадь городов и одежды»

When German director Wim Wenders is commissioned by the Pompidou Center to make a documentary about Japanese stylist Yohji Yamamoto, he replies that he doesn't want to hear about it. Fortunately, things turned out differently and the result exceeds expectations. A philosophical essay on two modes of visual communication, a look at the connections between the medium Yamamoto chose and Wenders' medium. Another movie about the designer, 2016's Yohji Yamamoto: Dressmaker, gives an insight into Yamamoto's creative process and his fascinating career as a man with a law degree who became the father of modern Japanese fashion.

Issey Miyake Moves (2002)

Issey Miyake Moves (2002)

Иссей Мияке - Документальный фильм Moves - английский дубляж 2002 г. - 4k Ultra HD

The philosophical world of Issei Miyake, fashion architect and thinker in one. This meditative film, released in 1993 and re-released in 2002, unravels the universe of the famous designer. Miyake's legendary pleats and draperies ushered in a new era of working with fabric, creating a symbiosis between clothing and the body. Don't miss the highlights: creating costumes for William Forsythe's Frankfurt Ballet and designing the uniforms for the 1992 Lithuanian Olympic team.

UNZIPPED (1995)

UNZIPPED (1995)

Разархивированный | Официальный трейлер (HD) — Карла Бруни, Исаак Мизрахи | МИРАМАКС

This movie is a true celebration of fashion! Unlike the more serious Catwalk, released the same year, Unzipped presents American designer Isaac Mizrahi as a charismatic prankster with a sharp mind. The iconic documentary, shot in grainy black and white, immerses us in the chaos and madness of the launch of the 1994 fall collection. It's a journey into fashion's past that makes you wonder, "Has anything changed since then?"

McQueen (2018)

McQueen (2018)

МакКуин - Официальный трейлер

Lee Alexander McQueen was the enfant terrible of London's East End, turning the fashion world upside down. He believed that clothes should either "repel" or "delight" - otherwise why show them? His tragic passing in 2010 left a gaping void in the industry. This intimate portrait from Ian Bonot and Peter Ettedgui reveals the designer's complex nature behind a mask of theatricality, revealing the dark and romantic soul of a genius. Complete the screening with McQueen and I (2011), which traces McQueen's journey from Savile Row to St. Martin's and his fateful meeting with Isabella Blow.

The Artist Is Absent (2015)

The Artist Is Absent (2015)

► Художник отсутствует Короткометражный фильм о Мартине Маржеле | от группы YOOX

The short film about the enigmatic Martin Margiela is a quintessential example of his work. The movie is about a Belgian designer who, while remaining in the shadows, revolutionized the fashion world. As The Cut's Katie Horine aptly noted, "Margiela made us think." In 2019, another important document was released: Martin Margiela: In His Own Words, where we only see the hands of the master and hear his voice - and that's enough to understand Margiela's genius.

Martin Margiela: In His Own Words

Мартин Маржела: Своими словами – Официальный трейлер – Oscillography Laboratories HD

DRIES (2017)

DRIES (2017)

Дрис - Официальный трейлер

Director Rainer Holzemer spent a year observing Dries Van Noten, the last of the Mohicans of intelligent design. At 66, Van Noten left the brand to start a new chapter of his life. Yes, he broke quite a few hearts, but c'est la vie. This movie is a magical window into the thoughts and gestures of a refined and free creator. To see Dries in his element - from fabric development to fitting, and in private moments with his partner and dog in their spacious Antwerp home - is a true gift for connoisseurs of haute couture.

L'AMOUR FOU (2010)

Yves Saint Laurent: L'AMOUR FOU (2010)

Yves Saint Laurent: L’amour fou – Официальный трейлер [HD]

Set two years after the death of couturier Yves Saint Laurent, this movie focuses on the posthumous sale of his stunning art collection, assembled over decades with partner Pierre Berg&eacute;. It is a story of passion for the beautiful - be it paintings or fabrics, of Monsieur Laurent's love for clothes and the women who wear them.

Westwood, Punk, Icon, Activist (2018)

Westwood, Punk, Icon, Activist (2018)

Вествуд: Панк, икона, активист — официальный трейлер

Vivienne Westwood is a rebel to the core who has gone far beyond punk and fashion. She lived every second of her life in a spirit of defiance. This documentary is a must-see for anyone who wants to see the versatility of Westwood's passionate nature, her designs and moral principles worthy of emulation.

Models: on-screen style icons

Between the movie divas of the past and the Influencers of the present, they - the top models - reign supreme. These living standards of beauty of their time mesmerize, inspire and inspire the desire to emulate. Immerse yourself in the world of the most influential models through the prism of documentary films. Of particular note is Gia (1998) with Angelina Jolie, the tragic story of supermodel Gia Karanji, whose bright career was cut short at the age of 26 by AIDS.

Who Are You, Polly Magoo (1966)

Who Are You, Polly Magoo (1966)

Кто ты, Полли Маггу?

"Who Are You, Polly Magoo?" (1966) is a satirical mocumentary mocking the excesses of the fashion world. Starring Dorothy McGowan as an American supermodel who is followed by a French TV crew. What has changed since then? Alas, not much.

INVISIBLE BEAUTY (2023)

INVISIBLE BEAUTY (2023)

Невидимая красота - Официальный трейлер | Бетанн Хардисон Документальный фильм | Только в кинотеатрах 15 сентября.

"Invisible Beauty" (2023) reveals the story of Bethanne Hardison, a pioneer and activist who opened the doors to the fashion world for black models. Featuring Zendaya, Naomi Campbell and Fran Lebowitz.

Casablancas: The Man Who Loved Women (2016)

Casablancas: The Man Who Loved Women (2016)

«Касабланкас: Мужчина, который любил женщин» — официальный трейлер

"Casablancas: The Man Who Loved Women" (2016) is a biopic about John Casablancas, the creator of Elite Model Management and the "father" of the concept of the top model.

The Super Models (2023)

The Super Models (2023)

Супермодели — Официальный трейлер | Apple ТВ+

"Supermodels" (2023) is a mini-series about the legendary foursome: Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington, who changed the fashion world forever.

Fashion photographers: a look through the lens

A separate category - documentaries about fashion photographers, magicians who can capture not only luxurious outfits, but also the emotions of the moment. Don't miss:

Helmut Newton: frames from the edge (1989)

Helmut Newton: frames from the edge (1989)

Хельмут Ньютон: Плохое и прекрасное | Официальный трейлер | Докплей

"Helmut Newton: Frames from the Edge" (1989) is an immersion into the provocative world of the maestro of '80s erotic photography.

Harry Benson: Shoot First (2016)

Harry Benson: Shoot First (2016)

Гарри Бенсон: Стреляй первым, официальный трейлер 1 (2016) — документальный фильм

"Harry Benson: Shoot First" (2016) is about the photographer who captured The Beatles and key figures in history.

The Man Who Shot Beautiful Women (2013)

The Man Who Shot Beautiful Women (2013)

Мужчина, который стрелял в красивых женщин | Трейлер | iwonder.com

"The Man Who Shot Beautiful Women" (2013) is the story of Erwin Blumenfeld, who survived two world wars to become one of the highest paid fashion photographers.

See Know Evil (2018)

See Know Evil (2018)

См. «Познай зло» (2019) | Официальный трейлер HD

"See Know Evil" (2018) is a portrait of the talented Davide Sorrentri and the '90s NYC underground scene.

Fashion as a cultural phenomenon

We conclude the review with documentaries that explore fashion as a reflection of society.

Paris is Burning (1990)

Paris is Burning (1990)

ПАРИЖ ГОРИТ Трейлер

"Paris Is Burning" (1990) is an immersion into the quirky culture of '80s Harlem.

Fresh Dressed&nbsp; (2015)

Fresh Dressed  (2015)

Fresh Dressed, официальный трейлер 1 (2015) — документальный HD

"Fresh Dressed" (2015) is a story of the symbiosis of hip-hop and fashion.

The True Cost (2015)

The True Cost (2015)

Истинная цена – Официальный трейлер

"The Real Price of Fashion" (2015) is the shocking truth about the fast fashion industry.

RiverBlue (2016)

RiverBlue (2016)

Трейлер к фильму RiverBlue

"RiverBlue" (2016) is an environmental manifesto about the fashion industry's impact on the world's water resources.

These movies don't just talk about fashion - they change the way we look at the industry and make us think about its future.

Fashion movies worth watching for true fashion lovers

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