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I’m a fashion nerd (and professional fashion designer), and I always have documentaries and podcasts playing in the background while I sew. Fashion history incorporates art, politics and business – making it a fascinating topic even if you don’t work in the industry.
So, without further ado, here are my favorite fashion documentaries and series. (Hot Tip: I imagine there are broke fashion students checking out this post – if you’re looking for free fashion documentaries, be sure to use CTRL+F and search “Free”.)
FYI: I’ve shared affiliate links to documentaries where appropriate. If you purchase a documentary, please use my links! I earn a small commission which helps me write more awesome content.
Documentaries about Vogue Magazine
- First Monday in May | Documentary about the Met Gala. Watch on Amazon for $1.99.
- Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel | Diana Vreeland was the Editor-In-Chief of American Vogue from 1963 to 1971. Stream on Amazon for $2.99.
- The September Issue | Documentary about the largest issue of American Vogue. I loved a scene showing how the editors order the pages in the magazine. Stream on Amazon Prime for $3.99.
- In Vogue: The Editor’s Eye | Documentary focusing on the Vogue editors who made American Vogue what it is today. I particularly loved the bits about Anna Wintour’s early career. Watch on Amazon for $9.99.
- The Gospel According To André | André Leon Talley was the Editor at Large at American Vogue. This documentary is SO quotable. Available on Hulu.
- The Vogue Fashion Fund (Docuseries)| Ten designers compete for a $400,000 and life changing mentorship. This title is no longer available on Amazon, but I’m sure it’s available… elsewhere.
- Seamless (2014) | An hour and a half documentary focused on the 2014 Vogue Fashion Fund. The film quality is very “BTS.” I really appreciated the frankness around money and cashflow in fashion businesses – an issue that the Vogue Fashion Fund was founded to address. Watch on Vimeo.
- Absolutely Fashion: Inside British Vogue (2016) | Documentary on the 100 year anniversary of British Vogue, largely focused on EIC, Alexandra Shulman. Available for no cost on YouTube.
- Franca: Chaos and Creation (2016)| Documentary on the life of Vogue Italia Editor-In-Chief, Franca Sozzani. Available on Amazon for $4.99.
Documentaries about Fashion Houses and Designers
- McQueen (2018) | I’ve read every book I can find about McQueen (and there are many), and this film shared insights about the designer I didn’t know. Watch on Amazon for $9.99.
- Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist (2018) | I saw this documentary film about Vivienne Westwood at the Sundance Film Festival. It really buoyed my hell-raising and activist heart, as I have debated how “activitsty” I can be in fashion. Watch for $9.99 on Amazon.
- Halston (2019) | This movie tells the story of Roy Halston Frowick, “Halston” who is quite the fashion maverick.
- Ultrasuede: In Search of Halston (2011) | Another Halston documentary that you CAN stream. Watch here on Amazon for $9.99.
- Dries (2017) | Documentary focused on a designer I consider to be “niche famous,” Dries Van Noten.
- Dior and I (2015) | Follows the journey of Raf Simmons’ first Dior fashion show. Rent for $3.99 on Amazon.
- A Man’s Story (2010) | The director filmed fashion designer, Ozwald Boateng, for 12 years to create this film. Rent on Amazon for $1.99.
- Jeremy Scott: The People’s Designer (2015) | One of my all-time favorite fashion documentaries, I feel like this film really got at the heart of Moschino and Jeremy Scott. Watch on Netflix or Amazon for $4.99.
- Manolo, the Boy Who Made Shoes for Lizards (2017) | This documentary portrayed Manolo Blahnik in an endearing and inspiring light. Buy this movie $14.99 on Amazon.
- Unzipped (1995) | This documentary really paved the way for other designers on the list, telling the story of the Isaac Mizrahi’s 1994 fall collection. Watch for free on YouTube.
- L’amor Fou (2010) | Fashion film about the career of Yves St. Laurent, which plays special attention to his relationship with his partner, Pierre Bergé. Watch on YouTube for $2.99.
- House of Z (2017) | This film on Zac Posen made me ache, due to its portrayal of the wide reaching impact and implications of ambition in fashion. Watch on Netflix.
- Lagerfeld Confidential (2007) | This film about Karl Lagerfeld is currently on my “To Watch” list. This is listed for $194.95 on Amazon, which seems.. not correct. If you find it somewhere else, please shoot me an email!
- Alber Elbaz and LANVIN (2017) | I could listen to Alber Elbas talk about fashion for days on end. Watch the 50 minute short film on YouTube for free.
- Alexander Wang (2017) | This documentary is a short (25 minute) look into the brand. Watch on YouTube for free.
- iris Van Herpen (2018) } One day we’ll get a full documentary (or docuseries – cough Netflix) on this avant-garde designer. Until then, watch this 12 minute feature on YouTube.
Fashion Icons & Models
- IRIS (2014) | Next to the word “iconic” in the dictionary is a photo of Iris Apfel. This film does an excellent job of sharing her history, while staying firmly in what is happening in the now. Available on Hulu alongwith a monthly subscription, or on Amazon for rent for $2.99.
- Catwalk (1995) | This documentary was a bit of a precursor to ANTM, following the model Christy Turlington throughout fashion shows in the early 1990’s. Watch for free on YouTube.
- Bill Cunningham (2010) | Woven into the very threads of runway shows and street fashion is fashion photographer, Bill Cunningham. This film is an overview of his life and career. Stream on Amazon for $3.99.
Whew!
There are always more documentaries to list, and I’ll be sure to check back every few months and add documentaries I find!
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