Fashion speaks to each one of us in a unique way. Some view clothes as a necessity, others view them as an art form but for most, it's somewhere in-between. Looking at how others view fashion and what it means to them can inspire you and change your point of view. Each of these documentaries is unique and quirky. They portray showcase how fashion is more than clothing but fun, inspirational, and exciting.
The First Monday in May
This film is unique because it’s not only about fashion. It’s about creating a museum exhibit, Vogue, Anna Wintour, the MET, Chinese culture and its appropriation, fashion as an art form, and of course fashion. The film follows the creation of the exhibit “China: Through the Looking Glass” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2015. The exhibit looked at how fashion designers used film to interpret Chinese culture. The opening of the exhibit was the center of attention at the Met Ball in 2015. The film explores what makes fashion an art form. It shows the process of planning and executing the Met Ball. It shows Anna Wintour as a character, person, editor, and party planner. The film as a documentary truly does it all. It covers political and world history. It covers fashion as an art form and as a form of political and social expression. It explains the phenomenon that is the Met Ball. The film even goes as far as to cover pieces of Chinese history. As a documentary, it’s truly a masterpiece presenting all this information in a clear and concise manner.
“Because seeing too much is seeing nothing.” - Kar-Wai Wong.
Iris
The film Iris, by Albert Maysles, follows fashion icon Iris Apfel. Iris, at 93, continues to amaze the fashion world. However, as a person, there’s just as much inspiration to be drawn from her life. Iris created unique décor and textiles for a wealthy clientele with her company, Old World Weavers. This clientele included nine presidents. She and her husband, Carl, would spend months traveling in order to acquire pieces for her clients. Throughout her travels, Iris began to develop her eccentric style. In 2005 the Metropolitan Museum of Art created an exhibition celebrating her ability to transform herself via fashion. Iris has been featured in ads for Alexis Bittar, Kate Spade, Analogue Chic, and Pirch among other brands. Iris is an icon not only for her fashion sense but also for her outlook on life, her love of amazing experiences, and her passion for her art.
“I’m not pretty, and I’ll never be pretty, but it doesn’t matter. I have something much better. I have style.” –Iris Apfel
Advanced Style
This documentary shows the lives of seven New Yorkers with eclectic style and how they approach aging. The documentary, directed by Lina Plioplyte, truly unearths the approach these women take to curating their personal style. The film is based on the blog, Advanced Style, by photographer and author Ari Seth Cohen. He’s a part of the film as much as he is the blog. Cohen has always had an interest in clothing and style, sparked from his late grandmother Bluma, a librarian. Each lady featured in the film has a unique outlook on life so that the film truly transcends fashion and looks at aging and beauty. The film is an inspiration to women of all ages in both the realms of fashion and life.
“I am dressed up for the
Mademoiselle C
This documentary follows former Vogue Paris editor in chief, Carine Roitfeld as she starts her own bi-annual fashion book, CR. This film goes more in-depth into the process of creating a high fashion publication. It shows a well-rounded idea of who Roitfeld is as a person but also her creative process. Her family, their love, and growth is all incorporated into the film because Roitfeld is an example of someone who doesn’t compartmentalize her life. She draws inspiration from her live, those around her, and whom she loves. Roitfeld deals with the critics and success. This documentary is unique because it focuses on Roitfeld’s personal and professional lives, how they’re intertwined, and her creative process. The film is partially in French because Roitfeld is from Paris. It’s completely worth watching, it’s slow to start but sucks you in and ultimately leaves you thinking about how you are going to approach your future, whatever it may be.
“An irreverent timeless dream”- Mademoiselle C
Jeremy Scott: The People’s Designer
Jeremy Scott’s journey from rural farm boy to designer for Moschino and beyond is covered in this documentary. Scott is a unique designer who got his start by putting on his own fashion show in Paris and growing from there. He is extremely famous for his collaboration with Adidas. His designs are fun, out of the box, and unique. He plays with pattern, texture, and pop culture. His designs have been controversial because he succeeds on his own terms. The documentary covers the ups and downs of Scott’s career. His high-profile supporters are key to the film, stars like Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, and Rita Ora. This documentary follows typical documentary format, it covers where he came from, what he’s accomplished, and where he’s going. Scott is portrayed as a Cinderella story, as he goes from rural Missouri to the runways of the world. So while this documentary doesn’t transcend the typical documentary formula, Scott’s story is worth watching.
“My legacy would be a smile.” –Jeremy Scott
Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s
This film, directed by Matthew Miele, is about Bergdorf Goodman’s history as a store but also as a lifestyle. Bergdorf’s as a store is a “living legacy.” The documentary takes an ensemble cast approach to portraying the history of Bergdorf’s. It uses clients, customers, celebrities and designers to paint a picture of the history, style, and exclusivity of the store. Those interviewed include Karl Lagerfeld, the Olson twins, Georgio Armani, and Manolo Blahnik. It focuses on the personal shopping aspect. The film follows the creation of the window displays for 2012 titled “The Carnival of the Animals.” This film follows window displays and their construction almost as much, if not more than it covers fashion. The use of setting to push fashion to the next level is the key to this documentary. While this documentary is interview-heavy it’s a valuable look at how a high-end department store does more than sell clothes but is truly all around fashion experience.
"Being able to shop at Bergdorf Goodmans is an aphrodisiac." - Robert Verdi
