7 underrated fashion documentaries you need to watch this weekend

Like many 90s babies the prime initiation to the glamorous and sometimes magical world of fashion has been through a particular cult-favourite fashion movie, The Devil Wears Prada. Armed with the knowledge that florals for spring are not groundbreaking, the transformative power of Chanel boots and Miranda Priestly’s monologue on the colour cerulean, the attitude and the atmosphere in fashion has been a topic of much discussion – with its own set of controversies and from a wider lens – it has also been the conduit of change in the modern world. There’s more to it than what you see on the surface. Fashion documentaries are a great way to kickstart your sartorial education and gain a unique perspective of the art form from the inner circle themselves. 

Below is a curated round-up of some of the best fashion documentaries to watch now. 

McQueen (2018) 

An intimate look into East London’s beloved Lee Alexander McQueen from directors Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui is insightful and heartwarming in equal measure. The documentary focuses on the late designer’s rise to stardom and features previously unreleased footage of McQueen and his close-knit team detailing his most significant and controversial collections.

The September Issue (2009)

If you’re drawn to the glossy pages of fashion magazines, The September Issue is a must-watch. The film follows the star-studded team at American Vogue led by the high priestess of fashion Anna Wintour in creating their elusive September 2007 issue.  

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Bill Cunningham New York (2010)

 Before there was Instagram, there was Bill Cunningham. The New York Times photographer was not only one of the friendliest and hardworking forces in fashion but introduced street style and trend forecasting to the industry decades before the digital boom. This documentary by Richard Press paints a compelling portrait of the man behind the lens and gives us a behind-the-scenes look into his distinguished body of work

Paris Is Burning (1990) 

Paris Is Burning may not be your typical fashion documentary, but it captures a cultural movement that has influenced the mainstream industry in an unparalleled way. Filmed in the mid-to-late 1980s by Jennie Livingston, the documentary chronicles the queer ballroom scene in Harlem and the effects racism and poverty had on these primarily Black and Latino drag queens. This film is a worthwhile watch and is nothing short of heart-wrenching. 

Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel (2011)

 Diana Vreeland is the eccentric, hilarious and indefinitely quotable ex-editor in chief of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar who has largely been credited with bringing fashion into the 20th century. The documentary captures her life and unquenchable hunger for beauty while offering a glimpse into what is often considered the golden age of fashion photography.

Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton (2007) 

Loïc Prigent has dedicated his work to documenting the industry and his films are required viewing for all fashion enthusiasts. A great place to start is his 2007 documentary that showcases Marc Jacobs’s unpredictable yet successful tenure as the creative director of Louis Vuitton. 

Fresh Dressed (2015) 

Sacha Jenkins’ documentary Fresh Dressed is an ode to the symbiotic relationship between hip-hop and fashion through the years. This documentary explores the origin of streetwear dating back to pre-Civil War America and features interviews with some of America’s biggest tastemakers including Kanye West, Pharrell Williams and the inimitable André Leon Talley.