<p>Go behind the scenes of the industry with these fashion-forward documentaries.</p>

<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal" dir="ltr">The inside of the fashion industry is a mystery never to be solved. Without film or camera, iconic moments in fashion would not have been captured. Occasionally, a pioneer in the industry creates a film to take everyone through their creative process and how they built their career.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal" dir="ltr">These documentaries reach far beyond the designers themselves. Some follow the editors who guided fashion from the top, while others turn to the front row, models, and exhibitions that gave the industry its defining scope. Each film captures a different nook of the fashion world, and together show just how many people it takes to build it.</p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal" dir="ltr">The stories they tell are not always glamorous. Behind every collection and campaign are long hours and creative risks that lie far from perfect. These films show that side of fashion too, from the pressure of a first couture show to the work that goes into a single magazine issue. Whether you are new to the industry or have followed it for years, these documentaries offer an inside look at how it all comes together. <br><br>So, if you want to know the ins and outs of the fashion world and its designers, here are 15 fashion-forward documentaries you should watch.</p>

<h2 style="text-align: center;"><em>Issey Miyake Moves </em>(2002)</h2>

Issae Miyake. Photography Robert Mitra.

<p>This film follows the early stages of <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/issey-miyake-iconic-career-moments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Issey Miyake's</a> successful career.&nbsp;<em>Issey Miyake Moves</em> gives an inside look at Miyake's factory and design studio while highlighting some of his standout pieces from the runway.</p>

'Dior And I' Trailer

Dior and I - Official Trailer

<p><em>Dior &amp; I</em> goes behind the scenes of <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/raf-simons-collection-fall-winter-2022-photo-fashion-show" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Raf Simons'</a> first haute couture show as creative director for <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/dior-fall-winter-2021-mizza-bricard-leopard" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dior</a>. The documentary gives an inside look at Simons' creative process, working with new ateliers, and the chaos that ensues.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><em>Westwood: Punk. Icon. Activist </em>(2018)</h2>

Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood, Getty Images.

<p>The original Riot Grrrl <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/vivienne-westwood-sex-pistols-punk-fashion-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vivienne Westwood</a> gets candid in her 2018 documentary. The film tells of the designer's fight to uphold her iconic legacy.</p>

<h2 style="text-align: center;"><em>The Gospel According to André </em>(2017)</h2>

André Leon Talley. Getty Images.

<p>Follow <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/andre-leon-talley-legacy-fashion-industry-black-history-month-naomi-campbell" target="_blank" rel="noopener">André Leon Talley</a> as the influential creative gives you an intimate look into his life and boisterous career. With appearances from <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/tom-ford-movies-nocturnal-animals-director-netflix" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tom Ford</a>, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/marc-jacobs-heaven-cultural-zeitgeist-fashion-collections-trends" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marc Jacobs</a>, and other fashion icons, learn everything you need to know about the late fashion editor.</p>

<h2 style="text-align: center;"><em>Mademoiselle C </em>(2013)</h2>

'Mademoiselle C' Trailer

Mademoiselle C | Official US Trailer

<p><em>Mademoiselle C</em> follows Parisian fashion icon <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/art/carine-roitfeld-museum-curation-hong-kong-couture-exhibition-winter-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Carine Roitfeld</a> and her journey in creating her own magazine&nbsp;<em>CR Fashion Book</em>. Previously, Roitfeld had been Editor-in-Chief of <em>Vogue Paris</em> for 10 years before she decided to make her solemn departure. The film documents how she built her icon status and displays her famed notoriety in the industry.</p>

<h2 style="text-align: center;"><em>Halston</em> (2019)</h2>

'Halston' Trailer

HALSTON (2019) | Official US Trailer HD

<p>Released in 2019,&nbsp;the film follows the life and career of American designer <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/halston-designer-facts-70s-studio-54" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Halston</a> in a series of unreleased interviews and archival footage. Get to know the creative and socialite Roy Halston Frowick in this biographical film.</p>

<h2 style="text-align: center;"><em>The First Monday in May </em>(2016)</h2>

Anna Wintour walks with Calvin Klein into 1993 Met Gala. Photography courtesy of Ron Galella, Ltd.

<p>The industry's favorite Monday. Directed by Andrew Rossi, the documentary revisits the creation of the most-attended fashion exhibition in <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/art/the-met-in-america-an-anthology-of-fashion-exhibition-andrew-bolton" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Met</a>'s history, <em>China: Through the Looking Glass</em>.&nbsp;</p>

<h2 style="text-align: center;"><em>Jeremy Scott: The People's Designer </em>(2015)</h2>

Courtesy of Instagram/@jeremyscott.

<p><a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/jeremy-scott-fashionable-friends-moschino-miley-cyrus-katy-perry" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jeremy Scott</a> has quickly become a household name in the fashion world. <em>Jeremy Scott:&nbsp;</em><em>The People's Designer</em>&nbsp;follows the designer's ascent to Creative Director of <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/every-look-moschino-spring-summer-2022-nyfw-runway" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Moschino</a> and his eclectic creativity. The film also has cameos from some of our favorite stars. <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/rihanna-best-met-gala-looks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rihanna</a>, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/rihanna-asap-rocky-relationship-timeline-dating-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A$AP Rocky</a>, and <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/katy-perry-relaunches-katy-perry-collection-shoe-brand-after-brief-hiatus-spring-2022-footwear" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Katy Perry</a> all make an appearance in the documentary.</p>

<h2 style="text-align: center;"><em>L'Amour Fou </em>(2010)</h2>

1992 Yves Saint Laurent Spring-Summer Ready-to-wear fashion show. Getty Images.

<p><em>L'Amour Fou</em> documents <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/yves-saint-laurent-designer-singature-looks-trapeze-suit-safari-jacket" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yves Saint Laurent's</a> personal relationship with his partner <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/pierre-berge-co-founder-of-yves-saint-laurent-dies-at-68" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pierre Bergé</a> and his ongoing battle with depression and substance abuse. The documentary recounts his life and how the designer immersed himself in his work despite his many challenges.</p>

<h2 style="text-align: center;"><em>Bill Cunningham: New York</em> (2010)</h2>

'Bill Cunningham: New York' Trailer

Bill Cunningham New York - Official trailer

<p>Street style photographer and visionary <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/politics-culture/it-turns-out-that-the-first-street-striker-photographer-bill-cunningham-wro" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bill Cunningham</a> tells all in his documentary. Hear from industry veterans as they speak on Cunningham's talent and how this photographer became a part of New York's elite fashion society.</p>

<h2 style="text-align: center;"><em>Unzipped </em>(1995)</h2>

'Unzipped' Trailer

Unzipped - The Official Trailer

<p><span>Director Douglas Keeve follows Isaac Mizrahi as he prepares his Fall/Winter 1994 collection for New York Fashion Week. Released in 1995, </span><em>Unzipped</em><span> moves from Mizrahi’s early sketches and fittings to the final runway show, with <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/naomi-campbell-union-jack-dress-givenchy-mcqueen">Naomi Campbell</a>, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/linda-evangelista-best-runway-moments-age-90s-supermodel">Linda Evangelista</a>, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/cindy-crawford-herve-leger-bandage-dress-1993-oscars">Cindy Crawford</a>, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/kate-moss-jean-desses-little-black-dress-frank-sinatra-party-1995">Kate Moss</a>, and other fashion-world figures appearing throughout. The film won the Sundance Audience Award and remains a lively record of the deadline pressure and backstage work behind one collection.</span></p>

<h2 style="text-align: center;"><em>Catwalk</em> (1995)</h2>

'Catwalk' Full Movie

Catwalk 1995 documentary

<p><span>Robert Leacock’s 1995 documentary follows <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/christy-turlington-age-young-fashion-moments">Christy Turlington</a> through the Spring 1994 fashion shows in Milan, Paris, and New York City. Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Nadja Auermann, and other models appear as the film moves between castings, fittings, runway shows, and after-parties. </span><em>Catwalk</em><span> captures the pace of the ’90s supermodel era from inside the season rather than looking back on it.</span></p>

<h2 style="text-align: center;"><em>Marc Jacobs &amp; Louis Vuitton </em>(2007)</h2>

Marc Jacobs backstage at Louis Vuitton show 2008. Getty Images.

<p><span>In Loïc Prigent’s 2007 documentary, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/marc-by-sofia-film-documentary-sofia-coppola-marc-jacobs-friendship-fashion-relationship">Marc Jacobs</a> works between his namesake label and Louis Vuitton during his time as the French house’s artistic director. The film has access to the studios, offices, and backstage areas where collections take shape, following Jacobs through the decisions and last-minute changes behind the scenes. Appearances from <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/anna-wintour-vogue-exit-editor-in-chief">Anna Wintour</a>, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/jacob-elordi-sofia-coppola-cartier-love-unlimited-campaign">Sofia Coppola</a>, and other members of his circle place the designer within the fashion world he helped define.</span></p>

<h2 style="text-align: center;"><em>The September Issue </em>(2009)</h2>

Anna Wintour. Getty Images.

<p><span>Released in 2009, R.J. Cutler’s </span><em>The September Issue</em><span> documents the making of American </span><span>Vogue</span><span>’s September 2007 issue, then the largest single issue in the magazine’s history. The film follows editor-in-chief <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/chloe-malle-named-vogue-editor-in-chief-anna-wintour-steps-down">Anna Wintour</a>, creative director Grace Coddington, and the editorial staff as they develop stories, negotiate images, and assemble the issue. It is as much about the mechanics of magazine-making as it is about the relationship between editorial direction and creative vision.</span></p>

<h2 style="text-align: center;"><em>Martin Margiela: In His Own Words </em>(2019)</h2>

'Martin Margiela: In His Own Words' Full Movie

Martin Margiela: In His Own Words (2019)

<p><span>Reiner Holzemer’s 2019 documentary gives <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/10-rare-facts-about-martin-margiela">Martin Margiela</a> the opportunity to narrate his own career without appearing on camera. Archival footage, photographs, sketches, and close-ups of the designer’s hands trace his path from the founding of his house in 1988 through his years at Hermès. </span><em>Martin Margiela: In His Own Words</em><span> offers a direct account of the ideas and working methods behind one of fashion’s most influential modern designers.</span></p>

The Ultimate Fashion Documentary Watchlist

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