5 Must-Watch Documentaries for Anyone Interested in Fashion

Now that winter break is among us, we find ourselves with more time to spare. And even though we still have to study for exams, it is also important to dedicate some time to relaxing and having fun. So, grab your snack of choice and find a comfortable seat to lounge in. Below, I’ve compiled a differentiated list of fashion documentaries covering a variety of themes such as exploring the world of Haute Couture, understanding the NYFW tents, and the evolution of what is now dubbed to be street style. Forget scrolling aimlessly through YouTube and Netflix and hit play on one of these instead!

1. Fresh Dressed by Sascha Jenkins

How did oversized pants and graffitied denim jackets make it to high fashion catwalks and American shopping malls? Featuring numerous rappers and style icons– such as Kanye West and Pharrell Williams – Fresh Dressed is a fascinating chronicle of the relationship between hip-hop and fashion with a plethora of archive footage and interviews with industry giants.  A must watch documentary to all fanatics of streetwear and urban fashion. The evolution of Hip-Hop through fashion.

2. Salvatore–Shoemaker of Dreams by Luca Guadagnino

Beginning in Ferragamo’s Italian hometown of Bonito, Salvatore – Shoemaker of Dreams, is a documentary set to depict the story of the distinguished shoemaker’s life in the late 19th and 20th century. The documentary skillfully follows Ferragamo’s artistic journey from his birthplace in Southern Italy to the United States, and all the way back to Florence, where he decided to settle down and begun to master his craft and build a brand for himself.

3. The Secret World of Haute Couture by Margy Kinmonth

Hosted by Margy Kinmonth, The Secret World of Haute Couture follows her journey from Paris to New York to meet haute couture clients and world-famous designers in an effort to understand the relatively unexplained side of the fashion industry– namely Haute Couture. 

4. The Legend of Leigh Bowery by Charles Atlas

Leigh Bowery–Co-founder of Taboo Nightclub and the quintessence of the 80’s London club scene–provides us with an inside look into what has served him as a never-ending source of inspiration for a generation of artists. The documentary, filmed by Charles Atlas, is packed with archive footage of Bowery and stories about the artistic icon from a number of distinguishable faces such as Bella Freud and Boy George. Atlas explores the cultural impact that Bowery had on the fashion scene in the late 90s, inspiring especially young designers from the LGBTG community today.

5. The Tents by James Belzer

Have you ever wondered how did NYFW start? Who is the mind behind it? How do designers create and follow the NYFW schedule? The Tents is a terrific documentary that explores the history and evolution of New York Fashion Week. Featuring interviews with a number of top designers, this documentary provides an inside peek into the dangers of the NYFW tents and gives the views an honest portrayal of the hard-to-access backstage side of fashion shows. A must-watch for anyone interested in the fashion business and production.