Struggling to find inspiration for your next project? Taking a much-needed break from your daily humdrum routine?
Hey, we all have those days…
Taking a short trip down the memory lane of historic fashion designers gets our adrenaline pumping every time. So, here is a curated list of 5 fashion documentaries that are not only the perfect escape for daily life but also a promised land for anyone who is curious about the behind-the-scenes of fashion shows, the history behind the most important figures and moments in fashion history, or, just to simply admire the beauty of fashion itself.
We have plenty of options tailored to your taste, from the inner workings of the MET and Anna Wintour to the amazing but tragic life of McQueen. Your part? Grab some popcorn and enjoy the ride!
The First Monday in May
Following the success of the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty show, Andrew Bolton, Costume Institute curator, looked far beyond the Western world for the next inspiration. This documentary shows the behind-the-scenes of one of the most attended fashion exhibitions in The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s history: China: Through The Looking Glass.
Starting 8 months before the opening, we find Andrew Bolton and Anna Wintour constantly juggling various needs from cultural sensitivity concerns, and Rihanna's enormous budget, to logistical issues. A cast of renowned artists in various fields also featured along the way, with director Wong Kar Wai as the exhibition’s artistic director, fashion designers such as Karl Lagerfeld, Jean-Paul Gaultier, and an exhaustive list of celebrities that attended the MET.
The First Monday in May is a fast-paced, entertaining documentary that will intrigue not only fashion lovers, but anyone with an interest in arts, Chinese culture, or celebrities. It manages to address many questions about the exhibition’s China theme, the Western view of Orientalism, and if fashion should be considered an art form.
2. McQueen
“I find beauty in the grotesque, like most artists” - Alexander McQueen
Alexander McQueen was a creative genius and an exceptional artist who tremendously influenced the 90s fashion landscape. The documentary tells the story of his life and career, from rags-to-riches, the highs, the lows up until his untimely death.
The documentary does not just tap on the glory of his fashion shows but is a well-rounded portrait of McQueen’s creative process and rebellious passion for fashion. It is divided into five parts, called “tape”, that sync with different chapters of his life. Opposite to his daily appearance, a Scottish fashion student with his plaid shirts, McQueen’s designs “fearlessly challenged the conventions of fashion.” The hardworking designer caught the attention of the whole world in his 20s and rose to fame. He later worked for Givenchy while building his brand, Alexander McQueen. Gifted but tortured, he took his life in 2010, leaving behind unbearable grief from friends, colleagues, and the fashion world.
McQueen is tragic and beautiful. You don’t have to be a fashion geek to admire McQueen’s at all. His works are art itself, and McQueen is the ultimate artist.
3. Dior and I
Haute Couture–the glamorous and wildest dream of fashion. Dior and I bring the viewers inside The House of Christian Dior and the preparation for the brand new Artistic Director Raf Simons’ very first haute couture collection.
Recently appointed Raf Simons faced pressure and setbacks as he only had 8 weeks to present his first haute couture collection under the name of Christian Dior House while having a background in ready-to-wear menswear. What would he do to accomplish his vision? The most interesting thing about Dior and I, perhaps, is not only Raf himself, but the focus on the people behind the glamor. The atelier team with its seamstresses and tailors – all of the people that make haute couture happen.
Dior and I with its enlightening approach and the focus on the people as well as Raf’s creative process make this documentary a favorite watch for admirers of the historic fashion Houses.
4. The September Issue
“Fashion is a religion. This is the bible.”
This time, we follow Anna Wintour and her Vogue team in their preparation for the September issue of 2007–the single largest issue of a magazine ever published. The nearly-five-pound issue will serve as the bible of the fashion world for the next 12 months, determining trends, what’s in and what’s out.
Featuring Anna herself, Vogue Creative Director Grace Coddington, and André Leon Talley, the documentary guides viewers through snippets of fittings, shootings, and meetings between the three and Vogue teams during their 5 months of preparation prior to the issue close day. Opposite the glittering and dazzling cover pages, the creative minds behind it work tirelessly in less-than-ideal situations while facing harsh critiques, setbacks, and discouragement.
In short, The September Issue portrays a casual, lesser-known side of fashion, yet still full of chaos, where immense creativity, talent, and hard work go into every publication. You would not look at the magazine you grab next time the same.
5. Bill Cunningham New York
“We all get dressed for Bill”
New York is Bill Cunningham’s runway, and, as Anna Wintour said, we all dress up for his camera.
The person who started street fashion (Nope, not any Instagram models or the Kardashians) is a humble man biking around downtown Manhattan with his trustee camera hanging on his neck, capturing every snippet of fashion that people wear on the street. Bill is the legendary fashion photographer that has had two style columns in the New York Times for 40 years with amazing commitment and passion for his job.
Nothing escapes his eyes. Even at 80 years old, Bill has the quickest eye and careful attention to even the smallest accessories a person wears. Bill is a joy to watch, and his journey in Bill Cunningham New York brings warmth to our hearts.
Written and researched by Ivy Phan, Marketing Intern.