Designing & Dressmaking: Ten Must See Fashion Films

Marc by Sofia (2026)

Stepping into documentary, narrative auteur Sofia Coppola turns the camera on her close friend Marc Jacobs, the iconic American designer known for his camp collections and memorable era at Louis Vuitton. This intimate and fun documentary follows the lithe and funny Jacobs while he prepares for one of his future collections, while also reflecting on his early career and how his friendship with Sofia developed. With fun effects and early 90s archival images, the film is a vibrant collage of Jacob’s work and was made out as a testament to one of fashion and film’s coolest friendships.

McQueen (2018)

My first memorable interaction with fashion was when my mom took eight year old me to see Savage Beauty, the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s McQueen exhibition. Although I was young, the Costume Institute's post-humorous tribute to the genius designer was sublime and viewing his creations impacted me greatly as a storyteller. My reverence for McQueen made me excited to watch this documentary at the Angelika on the Upper East Side when it came out a few years ago in 2018. Coincidentally, the cinema was across from Bloomingdale’s, merchandiser to some of fashion’s greatest houses - including Alexander McQueen. I’ll never forget the beautiful way in which McQueen’s collections unfolded in full majesty on the big screen and the introspective designer’s words making them. This documentary will truly cut deep for any fashion lover and inspire generations to come in the way they think about clothing as a craft, political statement, poetic symbol, and terrifyingly beautiful theatrical artform.

Maison Margiela: In His Own Words (2019)

In this fascinating documentary, the notoriously private designer Martin Margiela tells the story of creating one of the most monumental and avant-garde houses in fashion. Through intimate off-camera interviews (you do see his hands), the mysterious Margiela begins by discussing his childhood dream to be a fashion designer in Paris and naturally progresses through his career founding the house and its most iconic collections. This interview is monumental in terms of understanding the designer’s thought process behind his work. Margiela was known for never doing press because it drained him creatively and he wanted his collections to speak for themselves. Margiela disciples can enjoy watching the designer discuss the genesis of signature garments such as the sock sweater, the split dress, the flat collection, and of course, a whole lot of tabis. Newcomers will get a comprehensive idea of why Margiela’s work was revolutionary to the fashion world - from street casting models, holding runways in unexpected, un-bourgeois locations such as parking lots, playgrounds and underground train stations. In chronological order, the film follows the evolution of Margiela’s famous seasons throughout the years - now which are referenced on the famous non-label white labels. Margiela tells his own tale in this lightning-in-a-bottle film like never before. It is as exciting and enigmatic as the designer’s work and himself.

The September Issue (2009)

The September Issue presents the behind the scenes of creating Vogue’s most important issue of the year. A time capsule of the early 2000s, this witty fashion documentary showcases the trenches of the creative process as the colorful characters at the magazine race to create fantasy spreads on time for the publication’s fall issue. Featuring Anna Wintour, Grace Coddington, Andre Leon Talley, Edward Enniful, and Mario Testino, the film is filled with some of fashion's most recognizable editors, photographers, designers, and taste makers. From the New York Vogue Headquarters to the Ritz in Paris to the streets of Rome, the documentary has an international scope. It’s an hour and a half of both the glamor, highlighted by creative photoshoots and couture shows, and the grunt-work, from production problems to business meetings. Anna Wintour may say “Fashion is about looking forward”, but this bible from the past is a timeless record of the inner workings of one of fashion’s most-storied publications.

The House of Cardin (2019)

The Space Age blasts off in this important documentary about the House of Cardin, which ruled Paris in the 60s. The film delves into the futurist Italian-French artists’ difficult move from Mussolini’s war-torn Italy to Paris, where he innovated striking fashion codes at his label. From the geometric shapes of the shift dress to the textured cool mini skirts, Cardin reinvented the woman’s form - by creating clothes that didn’t cling to the body. His use of intriguing textures, mod-cylinder-silhouettes, cosmo-influenced patterns, and floating cuts are all presented through dazzling archival footage. This documentary swept up many film awards and is seen as an instrumental reference to an era of massive change and glamour in fashion’s history.

Dior and I (2014)

Then newly-appointed Raf Simons works for two months to complete his first haute couture collection for Christian Dior with its talented atelier. The film paints a beautiful picture of the detailed artisans who keep the House of Dior’s rare tradition of couture alive. Simons interacts with Dior’s “ghost” as he tries to navigate his contribution to the storied dressmaker’s brand. With extensive coverage in the atelier, the film’s footage highlights the gifted craftsmanship and meticulous tailoring that goes into creating the garments. Weaving Raf’s point of view into Dior’s, the film draws fascinating parallels. Stylized, yet personal - this is an elegant portrait of a fresh voice in fashion conversing with a legendary one through the dialogue of couture.

Halston (2019)

Halston dives into the titular American superstar designer’s dominance of 70s New York and the high society art scene that wore his distinctive silhouettes to dance halls all through the night. Synonymous with the city’s nightlife, Halston’s star rose to meteoric heights before a series of bad corporate deals clouded it and the designer unfortunately passed away for AIDs-related reasons. Despite showcasing his difficulties, the film’s best parts thrust viewers into the bygone Studio 54 era and delineate Halston’s early beginnings as a young man hustling to create his namesake brand. Of course, his innovative method of utilizing jersey fabric is highlighted, as well as his iconic fluid, minimalist dresses that were beloved by the likes of Liza Minnelli and Bianca Jagger. This film is a distinctly American portrait of one of fashion’s ever fascinating juggernauts.

Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist (2018)

The Dame of Punk Vivienne Westwood, a titan in British fashion history, is captured here from here in all her anti-establishment glory. From her punk rebellion Sex Pistol days running the infamous store Sex to the established runways of Paris, the film captures Westwood’s distinct artistic point of view and the radical integration of her stances on global issues into her collections. The film is as brash, intimate, and exciting as Westwood herself. Archival footage, great scoring, and interviews from her acquaintances paint a larger-than-life portrait of a designer who was ridiculed for years before people started preaching her messages. An icon to those jeered at on the sidelines, this documentary shines a light on a woman who used clothes to speak for them.

The Gospel According To Andre (2017)

It's bleak street over here in America! There is a famine of beauty! Anyone who knows the reckoning that was Andre Leon Talley will have read those iconic phrases in his booming, decisive voice. A self-made story from the segregated South, Vogue Contributor and Editor Andre Leon Talley broke barriers sitting front row in Paris and at fashion’s most elite publication. His confidence, taste, and sharp tongue earned him comparisons to the likes of Oscar Wilde and his memorable sense of style was like no other - from his capes to his Louis Vuitton tennis ensemble. Whilst some mocked him for his distinct nature and encyclopedic knowledge of fashion, Talley made history as a fashion writer before people ever really appreciated his impact. In The Gospel According to Andre, filmmaker Kim Novak paints a portrait of the illustrious and gritty career of a cult favorite figure in fashion journalism.

The First Monday in May (2016)

This beautiful and engaging documentary dives headfirst into the preparations for the Superbowl of the Fashion world - the notorious and glamorous Met Ball, an annual event to raise funds for the Metropolitan Museum’s Costume Institute. The film follows the making of China: Through The Looking Glass, an exhibit celebrating and examining the East’s influence on the West and vice versa. Spearheaded with the backing of Anna Wintour and Vogue, now-Head Curator Andrew Bolton (Savage Beauty) races along in collaboration with then-Head Curator Harold Koda and renowned filmmaker Wong Kar Wai to prepare for fashion’s biggest night and out-perform all other previously held Met Costume exhibitions. Featuring one of Rihanna’s most iconic red carpet looks that put designer Guo Pei on the map to John Galliano’s archival gowns for Dior, the film is filled with beautiful clothes from both China and the West in conversation with one another.

Bonus: Bill Cunningham: New York (2010)

“The best runway is on the streets”, says legendary photographer Bill Cunningham. The documentary takes us inside the fast paced world of a New York legend. Equipped with a cap on his head and camera in hand, Cunningham bikes around New York, and captures the city’s most fashionable “birds of paradise” for newspaper fashion columns like the Times. Often compared to a war photographer, Bill prowls the avenues capturing concepts and street-style trends. He runs around fifth avenue capturing the high society shoppers outside of Bergdorf’s to the latest downtown fashions. The film showcases Bill's process of shooting and scanning and his gigantic filing cabinets, which held his work when he still lived at the Carnegie Hall Studios alongside other famous artists. While Bill is no longer with us, his energetic spirit and exceptional archive of New York street fashion is.