12 fashion films that foster a sense of style

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Stories in a variety of genres, from tragedy to horror. Each - with its own special mood.

1. Phantom Thread

• USA, UK, 2017.
• Drama, melodrama.
• Duration: 130 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 5.

Renowned London fashion designer Reynolds Woodcock makes outfits for members of high society. His sister Cyril helps him run his business and runs his fashion house. However, the usual course of the family's life changes when the couturier meets the waitress Alma. The wayward and courageous girl becomes the master's muse.

The film was directed by the master of slow storytelling Paul Thomas Anderson, who acted in this work as both a screenwriter and a director. Anderson's admirers will immediately recognize his handwriting in the picture: this is the complexity of the topic being revealed, and a thorough psychoanalysis of the characters, and a filigree staging of shots. And if fans of uncomplicated comedies can scare away the author's approach, then for aesthetes it will become a revelation.

Particularly noteworthy in Phantom Thread is the fashion kits that come into the picture. It is not for nothing that the film received many film awards in the Best Costume Design nomination.

2. Revenge of haute couture

• Australia 2015.
• Drama, comedy.
• Duration: 119 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 1.

Tilly Dunnage is a talented fashion designer and a stunning beauty. She returns to her native wilderness many years after she was accused of murder as a child. The locals are afraid of Tilly, because she has the stigma of a criminal. However, a woman sews outfits so brilliantly that she gradually earns a different reputation for herself. This helps her to understand the terrible events that have radically changed her life.

The film will be remembered for its unexpected plot twists and comic scenes. The visual side of the picture is also strong: it is a pleasure to look at the beautiful dresses from the 50s, which stand out so vividly against the background of the lifeless landscape. And one of the main advantages of the film is the beautiful Kate Winslet in the role of a strong and courageous main character.

3. Funny face

• USA, 1957.
• Musical, melodrama, comedy.
• Duration: 103 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 0.

The bookseller Jesse is suddenly offered to become the cover girl. The reason for this is a new look at the models. After all, now they want to see in them not only beauty, but also the mind. Jesse fits these parameters perfectly and goes with the team of the fashion magazine - editor and photographer - to Paris. On this journey, the girl will have love adventures.

The film is distinguished by wonderful musical numbers and kind, witty humor. It is also interesting to follow how the picture combines satire on the world of fashion and sincere admiration for the creations of fashion designers.

Audrey Hepburn, the owner of that very "funny face", is a real decoration of the film. Watching her in outfits from Hubert de Givenchy is a separate pleasure.

4. Gia

• USA, 1998.
• Drama, melodrama, biography.
• Duration: 120 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 0.

The film tells the terrible and sad story of the life of the famous fashion model Jia Carangi. As a 17-year-old girl, she moves to New York. Her dream is to become a successful model. Gia quickly achieves her goal and becomes influential, famous, in demand. However, the temptations of the fashion world burn the soul of the beauty, and she is rapidly heading into the abyss.

The film forces us to take a sober look at how vile the underside of a dazzlingly beautiful fashion world can be. And it makes us understand: an unhappy person will remain so, even if he achieves deafening success.

The main role was played by Angelina Jolie: her acting skills were awarded the Golden Globe Film Award.

5. The devil wears Prada

• USA, France, 2006.
• Drama, comedy.
• Duration: 109 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 9.

The ambitious Andrea comes to New York to become a journalist. Suddenly, Miranda Priestley, editor of the largest fashion magazine, hires a girl as an assistant. Colleagues of the editor-in-chief, like Andrea herself, are surprised, because the aspiring journalist is very far from the glamorous world! However, Miranda sees a hidden potential in the new employee, which is revealed more and more powerfully every day.

The picture does not pretend to be a great and imperishable classic, but it perfectly cheers up. It also gives you the opportunity to admire the beauty of the fashion industry: the number of stylish images in the film is off the charts.

By the way, the film is based on the book "The Devil Wears Prada" by Lauren Weisberger. The author told a true story about her work in New York Vogue, and hid the legendary Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of the magazine, behind the mask of the imperious Miranda Priestley.

6. Cover Girl

• USA, 1944.
• Musical, melodrama, comedy.
• Duration: 107 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 8.

Rusty works as a dancer in a Brooklyn nightclub and sighs for manager Danny. Suddenly, the girl is offered to compete for the right to become a "cover girl". Rusty realizes that this is the best way to get the attention of her lover, and happily agrees. She becomes a famous fashion model when Danny realizes that he has missed out on his happiness. But will he be able to return the attention of the chosen one?

Cover Girl is a light film that captivates the viewer with its simplicity of storytelling, features of retrospective photography and naive humor. But the most notable feature of the picture is the musical numbers. It is because of them that the tape received an Oscar as the best musical.

7. Coco to Chanel

• France, Belgium, 2009.
• Drama, biography, history.
• Duration: 105 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 7.

The biographical drama tells about the beginning of the creative path of the world famous designer. Coco Chanel was raised in an orphanage and then worked as an apprentice for a seamstress and performed in a cabaret. The desire to break out into the people pushed the girl to enter into a relationship with Count Balzan. Under his care, she becomes a member of high society and gets the opportunity to declare herself.

The picture is mesmerizing with a slow pace of storytelling, but so much the better. The viewer gets the opportunity to feel every episode of Coco's history and plunge into the atmosphere of the early twentieth century.

We should also mention Audrey Tautou, who seems to be the perfect actress for the embodiment of Coco Chanel on the screen. By the way, she herself noted that she was amazed at the similarity of her character with the temper of the great Chanel.

8. An exemplary male

• Germany, USA, 2001.
• Comedy.
• Duration: 90 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 5.

By all accounts, Derek Zulander is the best model and exemplary male. But nothing lasts forever, and Derek is overtaken by handsome Hansel. Confused and depressed, the hero decides to level the score and take the palm from a competitor.

The film pokes fun at the fashion world and teems with edge jokes. Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson look especially amusing in the frame - the performers of the main roles, who constantly pout their lips and shoot their eyes.

By the way, the picture will surprise you with the number of celebrities who play cameo roles or themselves.

9. Neon demon

• USA, Belgium, Denmark, France, 2016.
• Horror, thriller
• Duration: 117 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 2.

Jesse, 16, comes from the provinces to Los Angeles. The girl is sure that she can earn money thanks to her appearance. And she immediately manages to declare herself: there is something in Jesse that makes others admire and envy. The growing success changes the beauty, and colleagues on the catwalk are ready to do anything to borrow at least a particle of her beauty.

This is a very beautiful picture that fascinates and frightens at the same time. A depressing mood is created not only by external events, changes in Jesse's character, but also by music.

For some viewers, "The Neon Demon" will seem like an exposer of the hard-hitting side of the fashion world. However, to a greater extent, this is a philosophical reasoning about the power of beauty, which sometimes turns out to be destructive.

10. Saint Laurent. Style is me

• France, Belgium, 2014.
• Drama, melodrama, biography.
• Duration: 150 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 2.

The film is set during that period in the life of Yves Saint Laurent, when he was still young and at the height of his creative path. He founded a fashion house, revolutionized the fashion industry and gained recognition in high society. But what is going on in the soul of a genius, it seems, does not know either his relatives or he himself.

The film immerses the viewer in the atmosphere of the 60s. Meticulously made costumes and impeccable directorial work make the tape very delicate and aesthetic. The non-linear narrative of a fashion designer's life makes the film intriguing. It is also puzzling that during the course of the tape the director does not clearly show his attitude towards the main character. As a result, the viewer will have to decide for himself what conclusions to draw about such an ambiguous personality of Yves Saint Laurent.

11. Shopaholic

• USA, 2009.
• Melodrama, comedy.
• Duration: 104 minutes.
• IMDb: 5, 9.

Rebecca Bloomwood is a shopaholic. She spends more on clothes than she can afford. That's why it turns out to be head over heels in debt. To deal with everything, the girl decides to start a new life. She renounces buying clothes and gets a job. But fate taunts Becky: in the new magazine she will write articles on money management.

Uncomplicated plot, humor without vulgarity and excellent acting make the film fun and easy. And it is decorated with the brilliant Isla Fisher - the performer of the role of the silly, but cheerful Rebecca.

Despite all the frivolity of the film, it reminds us that really expensive things in this life are not bought or sold.

12. High fashion

• USA, 1994.
• Drama, comedy.
• Duration: 133 minutes.
• IMDb: 5, 1.

Fashion designers, models, show business stars come to Paris for Fashion Week … Everyone has big plans for these seven days, and everyone plays their own scenario. So, the journalist Kitty Porter runs after celebrities in the hope of making good material. Two unknown reporters lost their luggage, and now they live in the same room, where they were placed by mistake. And a certain Sergio, an Italian communist, comes from Moscow to meet his old love.

The film resembles a motley jigsaw puzzle of incoherent events, absurd situations and scenes from the world of fashion. At first, such a "jumble" may repel, but as the action develops, each plot line draws in the viewer more and more.

The picture perfectly immerses you in the atmosphere of confusion and gloss that reigns at Paris Fashion Week. To create this effect, director Robert Altman filmed many real fashion shows. And the script was superimposed on the finished documentary material.