If you're riding the high of fashion season just like we are, you're in good company. Now’s the perfect time to explore the stories behind the silhouettes—the designers who dared, dreamed, and sometimes unraveled while changing fashion forever. We’ve rounded up 15 must-watch films and series that open the doors to their world: the late nights, the creative chaos, the personal struggles, the industry pressure and the relentless pursuit of beauty.
Saint Laurent
Vivienne Westwood
The New Look
Set against the shadow of occupied Paris, The New Look reframes fashion history through a darker, more dramatic lens. The series explores the rise of Christian Dior and the parallel paths of Coco Chanel, revealing how couture endured and evolved during wartime. It’s a story about survival, moral compromise, and how fashion can become both an escape and a form of quiet resistance.
Where to watch: Prime Video, Apple TV
The New Look, 2024
Cristóbal Balenciaga
Cristóbal Balenciaga chronicles the rise of the iconic Spanish designer, beginning with his 1937 haute couture debut in Paris. Having already dressed the Spanish elite and aristocracy in Madrid, Balenciaga faced initial resistance from the Parisian fashion world dominated by Chanel, Dior, and Givenchy. Undeterred, he overcame these challenges, defined his unique style, and cemented his legacy as one of the greatest designers in history.
Where to watch: Disney+
Cristóbal Balenciaga, 2024
High & Low
John Galliano rose to fame as one of the most influential figures in 1990s and 2000s fashion before facing a major career upheaval in 2011. High & Low tells the story of Galliano's dramatic rise and fall, exploring both the heights of his creative genius and the controversies that led to his departure from Dior. Through interviews with the designer himself and key fashion industry figures, the 2023 documentary offers a deeper look at his revolutionary impact on couture, the pressures that came with it, and his efforts at redemption.
Where to watch: Prime Video, Apple TV
High & Low, 2023
House of Gucci
House of Gucci draws inspiration from Sara Gay Forden’s 2001 book The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed. The film brings to life the shocking true story of Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga) and Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver), whose love story transforms into a bitter battle for control of the legendary Italian fashion house. With its blend of betrayal, ambition, and tragedy, set against a backdrop of opulence, House of Gucci captivates with its A-list cast, stunning visuals, and gripping plot.
Where to watch: Prime Video, Apple TV
House of Gucci, 2021
Martin Margiela In His Own Words
Martin Margiela: In His Own Words offers an intimate look at the enigmatic designer’s groundbreaking 20-year career, more than a decade after he stepped away from his eponymous brand. Known for letting his clothes speak for themselves, Margiela has never shown his face to the public. During his career, he worked as an assistant to Jean-Paul Gaultier, served as Creative Director of Hermès, and presented over 40 provocative collections. The documentary features insights from fashion icons, including Jean-Paul Gaultier, Carine Roitfeld, and Lidewij Edelkoort.
Where to watch: Prime Video, Apple TV
Martin Margiela In His Own Words, 2019
Halston
A sleek, intimate portrait of American fashion’s original superstar, Halston traces Roy Halston Frowick’s rise from small-town beginnings to the center of New York’s ’70s cultural explosion. Through archival footage and insider voices, the documentary captures how Halston redefined American glamour—streamlining silhouettes, embracing minimalism, and dressing everyone from Jackie Kennedy to Liza Minnelli.
Where to watch: Prime Video, Apple TV
Halston, 2019
Wonder Boy
Wonder Boy shows a more personal side of Balmain's creative director Olivier Rousteing. It's an intimate look on the designer's vision, resilience, and the emotional depth behind his professional achievements. Taking over the legendary brand at just 25, Rousteing revolutionized Balmain, turning it into a symbol of modern luxury and inclusivity. All the while, he navigated through his personal struggles of identity, acceptance, and the pressure of living up to the high expectations of the fashion world.
Where to watch: Netflix
Wonder Boy, 2019
Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist
A rebel at heart, Vivienne Westwood redefined British fashion and played a key role in popularizing punk aesthetics during the late 1970s. Today, her brand is known as a symbol of provocative, theatrical, and extravagant clothing. Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist delves into Vivienne’s designs and journey to success, while also exploring her activism, her relationship with Sex Pistols’ manager Malcolm McLaren, and her profound influence on the fashion industry and culture. The film blends archival footage, beautifully crafted reconstructions, and insightful interviews with the iconic designer’s network of collaborators.
Where to watch: Prime Video, Apple TV
Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist, 2018
McQueen
McQueen is a personal look into the life, career, and extraordinary mind of the British fashion designer, Alexander McQueen. The documentary features a collection of recovered archive footage and exclusive interviews with the couturier's closest friends and family. From his humble beginnings as an apprentice on Mayfair's Savile Row to launching his own brand in 1992 and gaining recognition as a chief designer for Givenchy, McQueen's story might have seemed like a dream, but in reality, it was much darker.
Where to watch: Prime Video, Apple TV
McQueen, 2018
Dries
Directed by Reiner Holzemer, Dries is a glimpse into the world of fashion, exploring the life and work of one of today’s most influential designer, Dries Van Noten. The documentary offers a behind-the-scenes look at his unique approach to fashion, sources of inspiration, and dedication to innovation. The film features exclusive interviews and provides an intimate view of the meticulous craftsmanship behind the Belgian designer’s stunning collections.
Where to watch: Prime Video, Apple TV
Dries, 2017
Dior and I
Dior and I pulls back the curtain on the storied house of Dior as newly appointed creative director Raf Simons prepares his first haute couture collection. With only eight weeks to deliver, Frederic Tcheng's documentary captures the pressure, poetry, and precision of fashion at its highest level. Woven throughout is the ghost of Christian Dior himself—his legacy, his letters, and the weight of tradition that Simons must navigate to make the house his own.
Where to Watch: Prime Video, Apple TV
Dior and I, 2015
Saint Laurent
Saint Laurent, directed by Bertrand Bonello and starring Gaspard Ulliel, is a visually stunning biopic that delves into the life and career of Yves Saint Laurent during the pivotal years of 1967 to 1976. The film transports viewers to the height of the designer’s career, showcasing his creative brilliance and the lavish, bohemian world he inhabited. From glamorous Parisian soirées to his retreats in Marrakech, Saint Laurent paints an intimate portrait of a complex artist seeking inspiration and meaning. Bonello masterfully captures the decadence of the era while unraveling the intricacies of Saint Laurent's genius and struggles.
Where to watch: Prime Video, Apple TV
Saint Laurent, 2014
The September Issue
The September Issue offers a different perspective on the fashion world—not from the runway or atelier, but from the front row. Vogue has long stood at the forefront of style, shaping global trends and defining what’s in before it ever hits the streets. Following legendary Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, the 2009 documentary reveals how fashion is curated, debated, and meticulously constructed within the pages of a single, era-defining issue.
Where to Watch: Prime Video, Apple TV
The September Issue, 2009
Coco Before Chanel
What was Coco Chanel's life like before she rose to fame? Anne Fontaine's biopic Coco Before Chanel offers a glimpse into the fascinating early life of the French designer. With Audrey Tautou in the leading role, the film takes viewers on a journey through Coco's life—from her boarding school years to the foundation of her world-famous fashion house. More than just the story of a fashion icon, Coco Before Chanel reveals the innermost emotions and personal tragedies of the woman behind the legend, Gabrielle Chanel.
Where to watch: Prime Video, Apple TV
Coco Before Chanel, 2009
