Photography: Henri Cartier-Bresson, Gian Paolo Barbieri
Are you as excited for the upcoming fashion shows as we are? If so, join us as we dive deeper into the world of style, creativity, and intrigue. We’ve put together a list of ten must-watch films that take you inside the lives of designers who shaped fashion history—visionaries who pushed boundaries all while facing their own demons. These are the stories of personal triumphs and defeats, the inner workings of the industry, the nuances of the creative process, and pressures that come with success.
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. The documentary offers a behind-the-scenes look at Dries Van Noten's unique approach to fashion, his sources of inspiration, and his dedication to innovation. You'll get to enjoy exclusive interviews and see firsthand what goes into every detail of the Belgian designer's stunning collections.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Dries, 2017
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, we all know Vivienne's brand as a symbol of provocative, in ways, theatrical and extravagant clothing. Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist focuses on Viviene’s designs and journey to success, but also explores her activism, relationships with Sex Pistols’ manager Malcolm McLaren, and her 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: Amazon Prime Video
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 notice 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: Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Apple TV+
McQueen, 2018
Saint Laurent
Starring Gaspard Ulliel, Saint Laurent was one of two biopics about the designer to be released in 2014. The film transports viewers to the 1970s, when Yves's career was at its peak. At bohemian Parisian soirées, in Marrakech, amidst Warhol's canvases and within Proust's books, Saint Laurent seeks both answers to questions and inspiration. Director Bertrand Bonello not only tells the story of a great couturier but also masterfully paints a picture of a bygone era.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Hulu
Saint Laurent, 2014
Coco Before Chanel
What was Coco Chanel's life like before her time of glory? Anne Fontaine's biopic Coco Before Chanel opens the door to the French designer's fascinating life. With Audrey Tautou as the main lead, the film invites viewers to accompany Coco on her life journey from her boarding school years to the birth of the world-famous fashion house. More than a story about a fashion icon, Coco Before Chanel shows the innermost feelings and personal tragedies of the real Gabrielle.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+
Coco Before Chanel, 2009
Martin Margiela In His Own Words
After more than a decade since leaving his eponymous brand, Martin Margiela looks back at his 20-year career. The most mysterious designer of our time, he has never shown his face to the public and has always preferred to let his clothes speak for themselves. Throughout his career, Margiela worked as an assistant to Jean-Paul Gaulthier, was the Creative Director of Hermes and formed his signature style, giving the world over 40 provocative collections. The documentary features commentaries by leading fashion figures, including Jean-Paul Gaulthier, Carine Roitfeld, and Lidewij Edelkoort.
Where to watch: Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video
Martin Margiela In His Own Words, 2019
Cristóbal Balenciaga
Cristóbal Balenciaga chronicles the rise of the iconic Spanish designer. It's 1937, and Balenciaga debuts his first haute couture collection in Paris. Behind him is a successful career in Madrid, where he dresses the Spanish elite and aristocracy. However, his visionary designs don't satisfy the sophisticated tastes of the Parisian fashion world dominated by Chanel, Dior, and Givenchy. Driven by ambition, Cristóbal Balenciaga navigates obstacles to define his unique style and ultimately becomes one of the most important designers of all time.
Where to watch: Disney+
Cristóbal Balenciaga, 2024
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
House of Gucci
Based on a 2001 book and inspired by a shocking true story, House of Gucci is about jealousy, greed, glamour and, in the end, murder. The biopic chronicles the relationship and then marriage between Patrizia Reggiani (portrayed by Lady Gaga) and Maurizio Gucci (played by Adam Driver), as their love story transforms into a power struggle over the iconic Italian fashion brand. An incredible setting, an A-list cast and an intriguing plot - House of Gucci grips from the very beginning.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+
House of Gucci, 2021
High & Low
John Galliano was one of the most influential names in 1990s and 2000s fashion before his career took a darker turn in 2011. High & Low tells the story of Galliano's dramatic rise and fall, exploring both the heights of his creative genius and 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 and his efforts at redemption.
Where to watch: Apple TV
High & Low, 2023
