As hard as it is to admit, there is more to the world of fashion films than The Devil Wears Prada. When it comes to films about fashion, they can be separated into three distinct categories: fictional retellings about the industry that lean into fantasy, biopics about the industry's most influential figures, and documentaries that offer a glimpse inside the hallowed fashion closet (only to reveal that it's not as glamorous as the first category of film's make out). With this in mind, we are rounding up our favourite movies to further your fashion education. Find our pick of the best fashion films to date, below.
Saint Laurent (2014)
Bertrand Bonello's Saint Laurent focuses on the slightly more subversive side of Yves Saint Laurent's life. Viewers are transported back to the 70s where Saint Laurent was developing some of his edgier silhouettes in a time of rapid growth and cultural change. Gaspard Ulliel plays the title character with intensity and torment, leaning into the debaucherous side of the designer's reality.
Dior and I (2014)
This documentary details Raf Simons' tenure at Christian Dior, where he led the ship as creative director for almost four years. The film follows Simons first moments at the historic house, as well as the workmanship behind every piece made in the atelier.
While many of us have our eyes on the runway, the street was the late photographer Bill Cunningham's domain. He documented fashion as it happening organically on the sidewalks of New York City for his two columns in The Times style sections. Cunningham was an obsessive, and like the best creative people, could be recognised by his own particular uniform: a French chore jacket, Nikon FM2 and a Schwinn bicycle.
Funny Face (1957)
One not to miss. Audrey Hepburn plays a chic bookshop clerk who gets discovered by a famous photographer (based on Richard Avedon) and becomes a sensational model overnight. For a fashion fantasy that walked so The Devil Wears Prada could run, Hepburn flitting around Paris in an entirely Givenchy wardrobe will never get old.
Iris (2014)
102 years old and going strong, Iris Apfel shines in this documentary from legendary filmmaker Albert Maysles. It captures the lifelong New Yorker and her singular, fashion-filled life, encouraging us all to live more authentically, experiment and take risks.
The September Issue (2009)
R.J Cutler lifts the veil on the inner-workings at Vogue ahead of the magazine's most important issue. The documentary also offers a glimpse inside the worldview of the fashion publication's enigmatic editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, and her larger-than-life team including Grace Coddington and the late Andre Leon Talley.
Gia (1998)
Arguably one of the world's first supermodels, before Naomi, Kate, Christy and Claudia, there was Gia. With a young Angelina Jolie in the lead role, this biopic chronicles the short life and brief career of Gia, the model responsible with changing the game forever, before her untimely passing at 26 years of age from complications caused by HIV/AIDS.
McQueen (2018)
Framed by his rags-to-riches story, this documentary tracks the rise of iconoclast British designer Lee McQueen, and the legacy he left in the wake of his suicide in 2010. Above all, it celebrates the genius of his designs, his daring approach and creative wellspring.
The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
What would a fashion film round up be without The Devil Wears Prada? Andy Sachs is an aspiring journalist looking to get her foot in the door when she (against all odds) lands a position as an assistant to the editor-in-chief of one of the worlds biggest magazines (modelled off Anna Wintour and Vogue). As she tries to cut her teeth in an industry she has no interest in, we are privy to hilarious fashion moments, a classic movie makeover, and plenty of Stanley Tucci.
Antonio Lopez 1970: Sex Fashion & Disco (2017)
Step back in time to New York City in the 70s. This documentary introduces and refamiliarizes us to the prominent fashion illustrator, Antonio Lopez. A Puerto Rican native from the Bronx, Lopez swung in circles comprising Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld, Andy Warhol and Grace Jones.
The Super Models (2023)
We have the 90s supermodels to thank for giving models a voice and enabling them to be more than a coat hanger. This docuseries features Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington, who share stories from their early careers and the drastic shift they catalysed.
Martin Margiela: In His Own Words (2019)
A documentary that aims to thoroughly examine the life and legacy of one of the modern era's most influential fashion designers. As a faceless persona and invisible superstar, his body of work has been our only clue into Margiela's world, until now.
See Know Evil (2018)
A heart-wrenching documentary based on the life of Davide Sorrenti, the prolific young photographer who defined 90s era "heroin chic" with his lo-fi fashion photographs. Featuring cameos from Mario Sorrenti, Jaime King, Cindy Crawford, Milla Jovovich, and Courtney Love, the film delves into the legacy he left behind in his short time on earth.
Blow-Up (1966)
This cult masterpiece chronicles a fashion photographer who accidentally captures a grotesque murder while shooting in a park. Packed with covetable 60s costumes, Vanessa Redgrave and a Jane Birkin cameo, there is little missing from this one.
The First Monday in May (2016)
Curious about what goes into creating what's referred widely to as "fashion's super bowl"? The First Monday of May documents the process of planning for the annual Met Gala leading up to the most attended exhibition and event, 2015's China: Through the Looking Glass. Featuring Andrew Bolton, Anna Wintour, and with cameos from Andre Leon Talley, Jean Paul Gaultier, Karl Lagerfeld, and Wong Kar-wai, the film questions the relationship between fashion and art and demystifies the entire spectacle.
Yves Saint Laurent (2014)
In 2014, there was a battle of the biopics, with Yves Saint Laurent the subject of two documentaries. We've already introduced you to Gaspard Ulliel's performance, and in Jalil Lespert's reimagination he traces the life of Saint Laurent from his lead position at Dior in 1957 to the creation of his own fashion house in 1961.
Dries (2017)
For devoted fashion lovers, Dries is a year-in-the-life styled documentary that shadows the Belgian designer Dries Van Noten across his creative process over 12 months. A cult film for a cult audience.
Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has To Travel (2011)
Beloved and respected by many, most notably Andre Leon Talley, this documentary draws an intimate portrait of Vreeland, who's influence on fashion and reputation for taste cannot be overstated. A homage to her life and career, directors Lisa Immordino Vreeland, Frédéric Tcheng, and Bent-Jorgen Perlmutt pick Vreeland's brain as they focus on her stint at Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, and responsible for advising Jackie O and Twiggy.
Halston (2021)
Helmed by creator Ryan Murphy and led by Ewan McGregor, this Netflix series tracks Halston's journey building a worldwide fashion empire. The designer first rose to international fame after designing the pillbox hat Jackie Kennedy wore to JFK's presidential inauguration in 1961. From there on in, Halston became credited with redefining American fashion of the 70s and 80s; recognised for his minimalist designs that were often made of cashmere or ultrasuede. But just as his sartorial power was reaching its pinnacle; a hostel takeover of his company forced him to fight for arguably his most precious asset. His name – Halston.
Unzipped (1995)
The 1995 film chronicling the life and career of eccentric designer Isaac Mizrahi, and the golden age of the 90s supermodels. Unzipped is the film you want to watch if you're looking for cameos of Kate, Naomi and Linda.
House of Gucci (2021)
The universe must have known we were in desperate need of a serotonin hit when it delivered Adam Driver and Lady Gaga in the House of Gucci film. Decked head-to-toe in the après ski ensembles of our dreams, the duo channels total Gucci power to the fullest extent. The film follows the true tale of the Gucci dynasty and its subsequent momentary downfall following the assassination of Maurizio Gucci.
Phantom Thread (2017)
The story of Reynold Woodcock, played by Daniel Day-Lewis in his final role, who reigns over the haute-couture world of London in the 1950s. A heart melting love story and costumes to dream of, is there anything else we could want?
Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist (2017)
Born from anti-establishment values, this documentary tracks the late and great Vivienne Westwood and her eponymous label as she upholds her convictions in the face of a greedy, consumerism-driven business.
Ready To Wear (1994)
Shot during Paris fashion week in the spring of 1994, Ready to Wear features Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni and is a fictional depiction of Parisian couturiers in one of the busiest times of the year, when a suspicious death of the Fashion Council president occurs during a traffic jam.
The Gospel According to Andre (2017)
