These 10 unforgettable fashion films celebrate fashion design and demonstrate how creativity shapes the world of fashion.
I’ve always loved getting lost in a good movie; the kind that lets you escape for a while, but also shows you something beautiful. For me, fashion films do exactly that. They pull back the curtain on a world that highlights beauty and all the chaos that really goes into creating the moments we see on runways and in magazines. There’s something intriguing about watching designers and editors turn their imagination into art.
If you love fashion not only as clothing but as storytelling, there’s nothing quite like watching it unfold on screen. The best fashion films capture the emotion behind the elegance, the sleepless nights, the egos, and the euphoria of creation.
So grab your popcorn (and maybe your sketchbook), and dive into 10 fashion films that made us see the fashion industry in a whole new way.
“The Devil Wears Prada” (2006)
Let’s start with the ultimate classic. Meryl Streep’s Miranda Priestly — the cool, calculating editor clearly inspired by Vogue’s Anna Wintour — runs Runway magazine with precision and power. Anne Hathaway’s Andy Sachs stumbles into her world and learns that success in fashion demands grit, grace, and a great pair of heels.
This fashion film is more than a stylish comedy; it’s a reminder that excellence requires evolution, and sometimes a little attitude. After two decades, the movie will get a sequel, which is set for release on 1 May 2026.
“The September Issue” (2009)
If “The Devil Wears Prada” is fiction, “The September Issue” is the real deal. This documentary follows Anna Wintour and her team as they build Vogue’s most important issue of the year. Grace Coddington, Vogue’s creative director, emerges as the heart of the story, an artist fighting for beauty in a world obsessed with perfection.
It’s one of those fashion films that perfectly captures the tension between creativity and commerce, showing how passion and power shape every page.
“Yves Saint Laurent” (2014)
This lush biopic captures the genius and fragility of Yves Saint Laurent, tracing his journey from Dior protégé to visionary designer. It’s an intimate look at how art, identity, and emotion can shape a legacy.
Visually stunning and deeply human, it teaches that fashion can be both armour and confession, a way to express freedom through form.
“Dior and I” (2014)
Behind the polished runway lies chaos, collaboration, and quiet artistry. “Dior and I” takes us inside Raf Simons’s first haute couture collection for Dior, capturing the creative pressure and teamwork that make high fashion possible.
This documentary shows that fashion, at its core, is a dialogue between designer, artisan, and emotion. It’s one of the most intimate and inspiring fashion films ever made.
“The First Monday in May” (2016)
Every fashion enthusiast dreams of attending the Met Gala, and this documentary takes you behind the scenes of fashion’s most glamorous night. Following curator Andrew Bolton and editor Anna Wintour as they create the “China: Through the Looking Glass” exhibition, the film reveals how art, politics, and spectacle collide to define culture. It’s a fascinating exploration of how fashion builds bridges between history and fantasy.
Read also: 2025 Met Gala trends: kiss curls, culture, and monochrome ruled the night
“House of Z” (2017)
Zac Posen became a star almost overnight, and this documentary explores what happens when fame moves faster than growth. House of Z reveals the intense pressure of early success, the toll it takes on creativity, and the struggle to rebuild after a fall. It’s one of the most honest fashion films about resilience, ego, and reinvention.
“Dries” (2017)
Belgian designer Dries Van Noten has built an empire on consistency and integrity. This film is as calm and considered as his work — a rare look at a designer who creates without compromise.
It’s a meditation on the power of staying true to your vision, a theme that resonates deeply in an industry obsessed with trends.
“McQueen” (2018)
McQueen is a raw and emotional portrait of Alexander McQueen — the rebel, the artist, the visionary. Through archival footage and candid interviews, it explores his meteoric rise and the personal struggles that shadowed his brilliance.
Among fashion films, few capture the haunting beauty and the bittersweet labour of creation quite like this one. It’s unforgettable and a must-watch for anyone who believes fashion is art.
“Halston” (2019)
Whether you watch the Netflix documentary or the dramatic miniseries, “Halston” tells the story of the man who defined 1970s American glamour. From his clean, minimalist designs to his Studio 54 nights, Halston embodied effortless chic until business and fame caught up with him.
It’s a cautionary tale about how creativity can be consumed by control and a powerful reflection on the cost of genius.
Cruella (2021)
With Emma Stone’s rebellious take on the infamous Disney villain, “Cruella” turns 1970s London punk into a visual feast. It’s not only a film about revenge but about self-definition through style. From refashioned garbage gowns to runway sabotage, this is one of those fashion films that reminds us great style starts with daring to be different.
Together, these ten fashion films prove that fashion is more than picture-perfect moments. Each story reveals that creating style is an intricate act — one that demands ambition, a clear sense of identity, and an intimate dialogue with the arts.
Read more: Zephans & Co. becomes the first Nigerian fashion brand to co-sponsor a Nollywood movie
