Documentaries
McQueen (2018)
Exploring the life of British fashion designer Alexander McQueen, who started his career in his teens before gaining notice as designer for Givenchy and launching his own label, which continues to this day. He took his own life in 2010.
Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s (2013)
Explores the history, inner workings and untold stories behind the store’s rise from a modest ladies’ tailor shop to a mirror of contemporary culture
The First Monday in May (2016)
A behind-the-scenes peek at the making of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s 2015 exhibition “China: Through the Looking Glass” and its premiere courtesy of the Anna Wintour-spearheaded Met Gala.
Iris (2014)
Documentary about 93 year old fashion icon Iris Apfel
Advanced Style (2014)
Examines the lives of seven unique New Yorkers whose eclectic personal style and vital spirit have guided their approach to aging.
The True Cost (2015)
Investigates the price of the fashion industry and the effect of low cost clothing on workers and the environment
The Color of Beauty (2013)
A look at race in the fashion industry and the experience of models of color
Counterfeit Culture (2013)
About the world of counterfeit products and their place in and impact on the fashion industry
Made in L.A. (2007)
The fashion industry from the perspective of the sweatshop workers in the garment district and their story of a fight for basic worker’s rights. Explores issues of ethics in fashion and a spotlight on often invisible participants in the fashion industry.
Make it in America: Empowering Global Fashion (2015)
A look at outsourcing fashion and an examination of where and how clothes are made in the modern fashion industry. Explores the dynamics between designers, fashion houses, contractors, manufacturers, factories and workers.
Fresh Dressed (2015)
The history of hip-hop fashion from its birth in the South Bronx to its rise as a billion-dollar global industry. Directed by Nas and Pharrell Williams.
Just for Kicks (2005)
An in-depth examination of the culture and fashion of the sneaker, from its creation as athletic wear to its place as a cornerstone in hip-hop culture.
Sneakerheadz (2015)
Athletes, rappers and other sneaker fanatics show off their sprawling collections as experts trace the evolution of a pop culture
The Next Black (2014)
Exploration of the future of clothing, profiling companies who are at the forefront of redefining what we wear and how. Questions of sustainability and technology in the fashion industry.
The September Issue (2009)
Documentary about the inner workings of Vogue magazine through decisions of editor in chief Anna Wintour and creative director Grace Coddington
Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel (2011)
Documentary on Diana Vreeland, former editor in chief of Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue. More historical look of how fashion magazines gained popularity and changed over time.
Mademoiselle C (2013)
Documentary on former Vogue Paris editor-in-chief and fashion stylist Carine Roitfeld as she moves to New York to launch her own magazine.
Bill Cunningham New York (2010)
Look at street style photographer and “fashion historian” Bill Cunningham, who popularized following quirky and often subcultural styles. Examines how street style became documented in fashion and moved into fashion and news publications.
Chasing Beauty (2013)
Focus more on beauty than fashion, documentary based on the beauty and modeling industry and how models participate in making taste and forming cultural desires.
The Tents (2012)
A look behind-the-scenes at NY Fashion Week, with the history of how it all began in the early 1990’s.
Annie Leibovitz: Life through a Lens (2008)
Documentary about famous fashion photographer Annie Leibovitz.
The Secret World of Haute Couture (2007)
A look at the culture of high fashion in Paris.
Documentaries on specific designers/fashion houses:
Ultrasuede: In Search of Halston (2010)
Doc about designer Roy Halston, credited with reinventing American minimalism during the disco takeover.
The Director (2013)
A look at the life and work of Gucci fashion designer, Frida Giannini
Unzipped (1995)
A look at designer Isaac Mizrahi and his creative process as he plans his 1994 fall collection
A Man’s Story (2010)
Documentary about Saville Row men’s wear designer Ozwald Boateng
Notebook on Cities and Clothes (1989)
Documentary on designer Yohji Yamamoto and his philosophies surrounding fashion and design. Explores the relationship between photography, fashion, cities and film.
Yves Saint Laurent 5 Avenue Marceau 75116 Paris (2002)
Masters Of Style: John Galliano (2003)
Valentino: The Last Emperor (2008)
Dior and I (2014)
Lagerfeld Confidential (2007)
Own Visionaries: Tom Ford (2011)
McQueen and I (2012)
Monolo: The Boy Who Made Shoes for Lizards (2017)
Dries (2017)
Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist (2018)
Movies
Phantom Thread (2017)
Set in 1950s London, Reynolds Woodcock is a renowned dressmaker whose fastidious life is disrupted by a young, strong-willed woman, Alma, who becomes his muse and lover.
Coco Before Chanel (2009)
Biopic of CoCo Chanel and her rise to fame
The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
A satirical look at an unfashionable journalist who lands a job at a powerful fashion magazine and is quickly exposed to the cutthroat world of high fashion
Funny Face (1957)
A bookshop clerk (Audrey Hepburn) falls into a modeling career by accident and is swept away into the world of fashion
Mannequin (1987)
An unemployed artist finds a job as an assistant window dresser for a department store. When he happens upon a beautiful mannequin he previously designed, she springs to life. They fall in love while creating eye-catching window displays to keep the struggling store in business.
Yves Saint Laurent (2014)
Biopic about Yves Saint Laurent and his rise to fame as head designer of Dior
Pret-à-Porter (1994)
During Paris Fashion Week, models, designers and industry hot shots gather to work, mingle, argue and try to seduce one another