Fashion Films: 8 Must-watch fashion documentaries

Natasha Gan

05 May 2015

updated the 4 May 2019 à 01:20

These documentaries invite you to see what’s behind the closed doors of the world’s most celebrated fashion houses.

The Artist is Absent: A short film on Martin Margiela

1/8
The Artist is Absent: A short film on Martin Margiela
Yoox Group presents a 12-minute documentary by Alison Chernick titled The Artist is Absent: A short film on Martin Margiela. The film is an account of the enigmatic fashion designer who has yet to a bow to conclude his catwalks, and has successfully concealed his face from the world... until this documentary, making it all the more priceless.
2/8
Iris
At 93 years old, the oversized-eyeglasses-wearing and gaudily dressed Iris Apfel remains free-spirited as ever. Iris by Albert Maysles tells the story of the interior designer and fashion maven.
Watch the trailer here.
Photo: Magnolia Pictures
3/8
Dior and I

Discover the world of Raf Simons as Dior's Creative Director in devising his first haute couture show. Made by Frédéric Tcheng, the documentary is riveting and irresistible. It's as if you can touch the embellished fabrics of the venerable fashion house.
Watch the trailer here.
4/8
Valentino: The Last Emperor
Prior to Dior and I, Frédéric Tcheng had been a fly on the wall at Maison Valentino as well. Valentino: The Last Emperor tells the legendary Italian designer's life and his 45-year career in the realm of fashion.
Watch the trailer here.
5/8
Tiffany & Co documentary
Matthew Miele will direct the chronicles of Charles Lewis Tiffany who managed to change what was once a small stationery and gift shop into to a retail prodigy we've come to know as Tiffany & Co.
Photo: Quixotic Endeavors
6/8
Lagerfeld Confidential
Released in 2007, Lagerfeld Confidential invites us to get up close and personal with Coco Chanel's genius successor. Nicole Kidman makes a special appearance in the documentary by Rodolphe Marconi.
7/8
Tom Ford: Visionary
Couturier and film director Tom Ford was once the creative director of Gucci and YSL before eventually opening up his own line. In Tom Ford: Visionary by Maison Chaplin, the suit-wearing designer reveals the side of him we've never seen before, including how he almost delved into acting before becoming a fashion icon. Truly a multi-talented man!
8/8
The September Issue
"Fashion is a religion. (Vogue) is the Bible." We can only imagine what Anna Wintour must do to put together, not just any magazine, but the world's fashion bible. Not to mentin the 2007 September issue notoriously weighed around 2.5 kg!
Watch the trailer here.

Following the recent releases of Dior & I and Iris, another highly anticipated fashion documentary is set to be released this year: Tiffany & Co.

The iconic jeweller‘s movie is still in the working so it could be a long wait, but fret not, our gallery comprises a list of must-watch fashion documentaries to ease your curiosity. Tom Ford: Visionary tells the creative journey of the poised, camera-shy designer, while The September Issue gives you an idea of what the reputable Anna Wintour must go through to compile Vogue’s content-rich September issue.

If you’re more of a bookworm than a cinephile, we’ve got you covered as well. We’ve compiled a list of fashion books that will enthral you with never-seen-before images and stories.

Surely you’ll be all the more fascinated by the works of each couturier and fashion mastermind, one movie and one book at a time.

Natasha Gan

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