“Dior and i” – the ultimate list of timeless films about fashion

The impenetrable world of the fashion industry has always fascinated people with its glitz and glamour. For the uninitiated, who know it only from the silver screen or the pages of magazines, it can seem like the world of high fashion revolves around astronomically expensive bags, Jimmy Choo heels and wearing something new every day – but they couldn’t be more wrong.

Film makers have turned to the fashion industry for inspiration more and more often to uncover previously unknown stories of designers and brands. Whether it’s feature films or documentaries, their creators try to find an answer to the question: what fascinates us about fashion? Read our pick of remarkable films that every fashion enthusiast should watch.

1. The Dressmaker

The Dressmaker is a film adaptation of a novel of the same name by Rosalie Ham. Although it’s not based on a true story, fashion plays a leading role. Tilly Dunnage (Kate Winslet) is a young avant-garde designer who returns to her home town, from which she had been exiled. Thanks to her tailoring skills, she manages to turn the residents of the outback town of Dungatar into fashion icons.

2. The Devil Wears Prada

The comedy with many fashion highlights tells the story of a young journalist (Anne Hathaway), who soon after graduation finds a job as an assistant to the editor-in-chief of New York’s major fashion magazine. Although the world of fashion is completely foreign to her, her interactions with the charismatic editor-in-chief (Meryl Streep) make her realize how powerful fashion can be and what people are prepared to do to become a part of it.

3. Dior and I

A documentary which details the life of Raf Simons during the preparation of his haute couture collection for Dior. Through his eyes we observe the workings of the brand created by Christian Dior in 1946.

4. Coco Before Chanel (Coco avant Chanel)

Coco Before Chanel is a French film starring Audrey Tautou as the creator of the famous little black dress. It tells the story of the designer’s career, heartbreak, compromise and – above all else – liberating women from the corset.

5. Valentino: The Last Emperor

A documentary about the life of designer Valentino Garavani, the creator of the Valentino fashion house. The film documents a year of preparations for the Spring/Summer 2006 collection, the life of the designer and the behind-the-scenes of his company, as well as stories from Garavani’s past, for example his memories of dressing Jacqueline Kennedy.

6. The September Issue

A documentary about Anna Wintour and the work behind a September issue of the fashion Bible – Vogue magazine. The film shows the ups and downs of working in the fashion industry.

7. Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s

The documentary looks behind the scenes of one of the biggest luxury goods department stores in New York – Bergdorf Goodman. The film celebrates the store’s 100^th anniversary.