17 Must See "Fashion" Films (Part 2/2)

Part two of my list!
-Read Part one here if you haven't already-

Not strictly about fashion, however, we all need to get inspiration from somewhere, and films are the perfect starting point as they contain so much (fashion, music, imagery, symbolism, writing).

10. Beyond Biba
A biographical look at Barbara Hulanicki and the rise and fall of Biba.

11. Romy & Michele's Highschool Reunion

Mainly known for it's comedy and the fact that Phoebe from "Friends" is one of the main characters. I have a thing about 90s fashion, and this is the 90s at it's best (or worst, depending on how you tolerate tackiness). Nevertheless, it's daring! and Lisa Kudrow can pull off anything (referencing back to the days of Friends). 

(I wish there were more stills, 

the costumes are gloriously tacky!)

12. Valley of the Dolls
Sharon Tate stars in a film about show business and taking happy pills, all very dramatic and glamourous...

13. Rosemary's Baby
Just an excuse for Mia Farrow to famously debut her new Vidal Sassoon pixie cut. Kidding, to put it simply, a fashionable couple have a demonic baby.

14. Paris, Texas

(I just can't get over the fluffy jumper...)

15. Belle de Jour (1967)

Catherine Deneuve did it way before (and way better than) Billie Piper.

16. Natural Born Killers

A funny man's Pulp Fiction (an even funnier than funny man). 

17. The Fifth Element

All costumes designed by Jean Paul Gaultier and Milla Jovovich speaking her own language, need I go on. Must. Watch. 

17 Must See "Fashion" Films (Part 1/2)

I strongly believe that, as a fashion student, I am not confined to simply reading magazines and looking at images from the catwalk. Fashion is integrated with everything, music, films, poetry, art and whatever else you can think of!

So here is my list of "fashion" films. I use the term fashion loosely, because although there are some directly linked to designers etc, some are purely "inspirational" (not necessarily about Anna Wintour, although who hasn't seen The Devil Wears Prada, really?).

1. Who Are You Polly Maggoo?

A satirical representation of the fashion industry and life as a model "is there anything below the surface of Polly's pretty exterior?".

I was lucky enough to find the actual film on youtube, however, if you are reading this in 2024 I would go ahead and download it straight onto your built-in google glass. Ha. 

2. Sedmikrásky (Daisies)

Surreal, jam packed with motifs and symbolism which could be used to fuel a whole collection if you so wished. 

   "The story of two girls who try to understand the meaning of the world, and their life" deeeeeeeep.

"A fashion show!"

(find the film with English subtitles on Netflix)

3. Funny Face

A fashion magazine from the 1950s, and Audrey Hepburn in wedding dresses. Think "the love child of Breakfast at Tiffany's, Blow-Up & The Devil Wears Prada" with a bit of a song and dance.

4. Ciao! Manhattan

An American avant-garde film, starring Edie Sedgwick. Although persistently described as not being a documentary, the film depicts Edie as a pretty close representation of herself, reminiscing.

5. Factory Girl

I know everyone was obsessed with Edie, but rightly so, an innocent icon with a tragic demise. One girl at my college admired her so much she insisted on doing the classic 60s "crease" look with layers of false eyelashes (as did Edie) everyday. I couldn't cope with that! 

6. Buffalo 66

A tale of unrequited love, betrayal and Christina Ricci showing off her tap dancing skills. Pulp Fiction-esque, shot through a blue filter (constantly making you feel cold).

7. "Kids" and "Bully"

Two films by Larry Clark, although nothing to do with fashion, I am constantly inspired by Clark's raw attitude to teenagers. Two films that synonymously represent 90s street style at its most organic.

(a photocopy from one of my foundation sketchbooks, 

hence the threads to represent colour ways)

8. Coco Before Chanel

Maybe I'm wrong, but I feel like this film has been severely overlooked. A biographical film about the grandmother of fashion, the woman who introduced us to androgyny and popularised Breton stripes. 

9. Gia

A biographical film about the model "Gia Carangi", Angelina Jolie at her best. Depicts Gia's struggles with breaking into the modelling industry despite her different image (something the industry would relish nowadays) and drug abuse.

-Click for Part 2-