For those of us who are not on the elite list, seeing inside the doors of a famed fashion house will forever remain a dream. However, thanks to the art of modern filmmaking, some of fashion's most iconic names and houses have invited fans behind closed doors and into their minds, showcasing the wonderful world of what goes on behind the scenes.
With a long list of fashion documentaries already out there, and a few on the way... here are a few favourites that sparked a chord and made our style-loving hearts sing.
High & Low: John Galliano
After much anticipation and a very long wait, John Galliano's new documentary High & Low: John Galliano is almost here. Debuting on March 8th the tell all doco follows one of the fashion world's greatest minds from his days as a boy in south London, right up to his Central Saint Martins graduate collection, his time at Dior and the tumultuous years spent at the helm of his self titled Maison, John Galliano.
© High & Low: John GallianoWatch on March 8th: In selected cinemas
Dior and I
As someone who deeply admires the world of Haute Couture, Dior and I shines a spotlight on the talented artisans that often go unnoticed. Released back in 2015 when Raf Simons was at the helm, the story shows how the long-time Dior seamstresses and creative team helped Raf pull together his first Haute Couture collection. I loved this documentary because it tastefully captured how a creative mind like Raf Simons works in an unintrusive way. Whilst watching you almost feel like a fly on the atelier wall watching a well-oiled machine at work.
© CIM ProductionsWatch on: Apple TV
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Bill Cunningham: New York
This is by far one of my favourite movies that I have ever had the pleasure of viewing. Bill Cunningham, a longstanding photographer for The New York Times is one of the fashion world's most iconic creatives. Throughout his illustrious career, Bill became famous for photographing people out and about on the city streets, sparking the first wave of street-style photography. Throughout the documentary long-time friends and admirers of Bill share their love for him and his craft, including Anna Wintour who famously says in the documentary, "We all get dressed for Bill.”
© First Thought FilmsWatch on: Prime Video and Apple TV
The First Monday in May
We’ve all wondered what it would be like to attend the Met Gala and thanks to the 2016 documentary, we got closer than ever. The story follows the ins and outs of everything and everyone who’s involved in making the most famous night in fashion.
© Magnolia PicturesWatch on: Prime Video, Apple TV and Netflix
The Mysterious Mr Lagerfeld
Taking a deep dive into the personal life of one of fashion's most iconic, designers, faces and muses. If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind those famous dark-lensed sunglasses The Mysterious Mr Lagerfeld is a documentary not to be missed. Hello! Fashion’s Feature Director Becky Donaldson's favourite scene is when “the director, Michael Waldman, asks if Karl's beloved cat Choupette minds being filmed and it is declared, "He loves the Lens."”
© The Mysterious Mr LagerfeldWatch on: BBC iPlayer
The Boy Who Made Shoes For Lizards
For those who have a thing for designer shoes and Carrie Bradshaw, the story of Manolo Blahnik will fill a kitten-heeled hole in your heart. The story follows the designer from the early days as a cobbler, right through to fitting Hollywood's most famed faces for red carpet events. I love how this documentary feels like you’re having a conversation with Manolo. Whilst watching the master at work, hand carving and sculpting his heels he chats about life and how you should “never take yourself seriously, or you’re finished.”
© Music Box FilmsWatch on: Apple TV
The September Issue
If you ever wanted to know what it was really like for Andy Sach, then the September Issue will be sure to answer a few questions. This documentary follows Anna Wintour and her trade mark bob as she prepares the hefty 840-page September issue for Vogue Magazine. Hello! Fashion’s Feature Director Becky Donaldson says that the documentary, “kind of confirms what the rest of the world believes that people in the fashion industry are like...” especially when Anna Wintour says that, “Sienna Miller is 'too toothy' in her Mario Testino cover shoot.”
© The September IssueWatch on: Prime Video
Halston
Roy Halston Frowick dominated the industry back in the 1970’s, essentially putting America on the stylistic map. The two-hour documentary follows the designer as he takes both financial and creative risks during the Wall Street era, determined to save his clothing empire.
Watch on: Prime Video and Apple TV
Westwood: Punk. Icon. Activist
If you’re a Westwood fan then you’ve likely already seen this iconic look back through the illustrious life of the late Vivienne Westwood. However, if you’re yet to tick it off your list, get ready to watch a true heroine in action as she uses her voice to create a better fashion world.
© Westwood: Punk. Icon. Activist.Watch on: Prime Video
McQueen
Possibly one of the most heart-wrenching fashion documentaries out there, McQueen follows the work of world-renowned mogul, Alexander McQueen as he uplifts his East London roots and makes waves in Paris. With a heavy focus on the designer's most groundbreaking fashion shows, including the revolutionary 13th look at his Spring/Summer 1999 show where a white dress gets painted by robots.
© McQueenWatch on: Prime Video and Apple TV
7 Days Out
Chanel lovers this one’s for you. Filmed back when the iconic Karl Lagerfeld was still with us, 7 Days Out follows the Chanel house in preparation for the SS18 couture collection. From the endless amounts of fittings and silhouette changes to the set design and hair and makeup looks, this doco shows Karl in his prime, leading a legacy.
© NetflixWatch on: Netflix
Inside the Dream
Technically Inside the Dream is classed as a beauty documentary, but this one is just too good not to include. This wildly interesting watch follows Dior's new director of perfume creation Francis Kurkdjian and his team as they take on one of the industry's biggest scent challenges: reinventing the legendary J'adore.
© Dior BeautyWatch on: Prime Video
Valentino: The Last Emperor
Take a peak behind the scenes of the haute couture world as fashion icon Valentino Garavani prepares for his final show. Hello! Fashion's Digital Editor Natalie Salmon says that she's "Lost count of how many times I’ve watched The Last Emperor, it came out in 2008 but it’s without a doubt still my fave documentary and one of the many reasons I wanted to work in this industry. Honestly, just the scene of Valentino loading his eight pugs into his private jet is vision board material."
© Valentino: The Last EmperorWatch on: Prime Video
