Lately, I’ve been starving for some inspiration. I’ve been turning to fashion documentaries to gain some inspiration, and the following is a list of my favorite ones so far. Most of these documentaries are available on Netflix, and some you can watch instantly on your computer.
1. Valentino – The Last Emperor
This documentary was absolutely fabulous. The film follows Valentino as he preps his fashion shows in the 2005 to 2007 seasons. I was enthralled with Valentino and his charisma. The man definitely knows what he wants. The man is an absolute legend, and there isn’t one second of this documentary that isn’t inspiring.
This movie is available on Netflix instant Queue, and I definitely recommend it to anyone looking to get inspired, or anyone who wants to learn more about this fashion legend.
2. 11 Minutes
11 Minutes is a documentary following fashion designer, Jay McCarroll as he prepares for his first fashion show since he won the first season of Project Runway. In this documentary, Jay talks about how he feels he needs to prove himself to the fashion world, that he didn’t win the show because of his personality but because of his talent. I found Jay to be really honest and open about his fears and doubts. It was very interesting to get a peak into the life of a new up-and-coming fashion designer who is working on a limited budget, and has a lot to prove. They have this documentary on Netflix, but it’s really hard to find.
3. Unzipped
Unzipped follows the life of Isaac Mizrahi as he prepares for his fashion show in the 1995 Fall/Winter Collection. I found this documentary to be very intriguing and entertaining. Mizrahi is very humorous and honest, and his creative process is very inspiring. Also, the documentary showed the behind the scenes of a fashion show in that era. It was amazing seeing Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, and Kate Moss all in the same room talking and laughing together. It was also really interesting to see the heavy hitters of the time from Vogue and Armani.
4. The September Issue
This documentary follows the staff and advertisers of Vogue Magazine as they put together their biggest, most influential, and most anticipated issue of the year. The September Issue of Vogue is the biggest issue of the year and can make or break people in the industry. Ana Wintour is often considered “The Ice Queen,” but this documentary shows that she is a driven, capable woman who has her finger on the pulse of fashion and is the big boss lady of the fashion world. No one is more influential or powerful in the industry, and this documentary shows the artistry, politics, and inspirational work ethic that goes into making the bible of the fashion industry.
