The Best Documentaries About Fashion Designers To Watch Now
For many years, some of the biggest names behind the most important fashion brands in the world have remained anonymous. However, more and more, we have been given privy to the background of the designers who are making their work recognized and who are becoming real celebrities in their own right, like Olivier Rousteing, creative director of Balmain , who has more than 6 million followers on Instagram.
To spice up your stay at home days and learn a little more about the world of fashion, we have compiled a list of documentaries that spotlights some of the most brilliant minds of the designers that design collections all year. Check out some of the best films behind fashion's biggest names below:
L'AMOUR FOU (2010)
Many films have been made about Yves Saint Laurent, but L'amour Fou stands out by being told through the eyes of Pierre Bergé, the longtime lover and business partner of YSL. The film tells the story about their life in 50 years, beginning where YSL started his career as assistant to Christian Dior. It focuses on Saint Laurent's work, but also the vast collection of paintings, sculptures and objects the couple colleted over the years.
LAGERFELD CONFIDENTIAL (2007)
Enter the world Karl Lagerfeld, one of the most important men in fashion. In addition to being the designer for Chanel and Fendi, he was also a master photographer and draftsman. This documentary offers and up close and personal look at the fashion icon , for an insider glimpse into his world and his philosophies. You'll certainly walk away from the film reflecting on some of the deep insights he's shared.
NOTEBOOK ON CITIES AND CLOTHES (1989)
Legendary film director Wim Wenders was a fan of Yohji Yamamoto's work and created this documentary where he talks to the Japanese fashion designer about his creative process, ponders the relationship between cities (it filmed in both Japan and Paris), identity, and cinema in the digital age. It is a meditative film about both Yamamoto and Wenders, where the documentary explores how the two artists see the world.
DRIES (2017)
A thorough analysis of the fashion designer Dries van Noten's process, who for more than 25 years remained indepedendent in a landscape of fashion globalisation. The film came out just in time to celebrate the Belgian designer's 100th fashion show, where director Reiner Holzemer follows him for one year to witness the creation of four collections, from conception, choice of fabrics and prints, styling, to the moments leading up to the catwalk. Through the film, it highlights Dries' dedication to fashion and illustrates perfectly how he built such a loyal fan base.
UNZIPPED (1995)
A true time capsule on the 90s New York fashion scene, Unzipped basically invented the documentary film style for designers. It follows Isaac Mizrahi as he prepares his fall 1994 collection - and that includes all the great supermodels of the time, including Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, Veronica Webb, and more. Mizrahi is entertaining and witty, and the film follows his process from ideation to development.
INSIDE DIOR (2017)
Obviously, this is not Dior's first documentary, but it is the only one that accompanies the first creative director of the French house in its 70 years of history, offering a glimpse of how Maria Grazia Chiuri sees the haute couture brand. Filmmaker Micheal Waldman was given exclusive access to follow the fashion house behind the scenes for six months in the makings of the film.
THE DIRECTOR: AN EVOLUTION IN THREE ACTS (2013)
This documentary is a look into the life and work of Gucci's fashion designer, Frida Giannini, who joined Gucci as director of handbag designer in the Tom Ford era in 2002, rose to the leadership of women's accessories, and ended up becoming the creative director of the Italian house in 2006. The film reflects her time with the brand.
