September marks the beginning of a season when fashion is in the air—on runways, in conversations, and on screen. It’s the perfect time to dive into fashion documentaries that showcase creativity in its most human form.
These stories reveal intimate worlds, obsessions, fragilities, and moments that defined an era. Raf Simons’ pressure as he joined Dior, Vivienne Westwood’s free-spirited vision, Alexander McQueen’s sensitivity, or Olivier Rousteing’s search for identity—each tale brings the fashion world closer to the personal. Here are some must-watch fashion documentaries that, through different lenses, open the door to this creative universe.
Dior and I (2014)
Raf Simons arrives at Dior and faces the challenge of designing his first collection in just weeks. Amid seamstresses, sketches, and tension, the film reveals the intimate process behind haute couture.
McQueen (2018)
The life and work of Alexander McQueen are told with poetic rawness: from apprentice on Savile Row to tormented genius, his collections become confessions filled with imagination, beauty, and darkness.
Martin Margiela: In His Own Words (2020)
The Belgian designer remains invisible, but his voice guides this intimate story. With rare archival footage and personal insights, Margiela shows how anonymity became his most radical fashion statement.
Westwood: Punk. Icon. Activist. (2018)
Vivienne Westwood revisits her punk beginnings with Malcolm McLaren, the birth of her brand, and her activist fight. Rebellion, contradiction, and critical thinking shape a portrait as irreverent as she is.
Dries (2017)
Dries Van Noten opens the doors to his creative world, revealing his meticulous aesthetic, connection to nature, and how he turns intimacy into timeless collections filled with poetry.
High and Low: John Galliano (2023)
John Galliano narrates his meteoric rise and public downfall, reflecting on scandals and overflowing creativity. Between vulnerability and brilliance, the film exposes the fragility behind one of fashion’s most influential figures.
Valentino: The Last Emperor (2008)
Valentino Garavani celebrates his legacy with glamour and drama. Amid grand shows, tensions with his partner Giancarlo Giammetti, and nostalgia, the farewell of a haute couture emperor takes center stage.
Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel (2011)
Through interviews and archives, this film revives the boundless vision of Diana Vreeland, the editor who reinvented Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, turning fashion into cultural spectacle and pure provocation.
Wonder Boy (2019)
Olivier Rousteing, creative director at Balmain, explores his origins and search for identity. Between celebrity and vulnerability, we meet a man who, through fashion, also seeks a sense of belonging.
7 Days Out (2018)
Karl Lagerfeld and the Chanel team race against time to present a collection at the Grand Palais. The documentary captures the tension, discipline, and creativity that bring fashion’s spectacle to life.
L’Amour Fou (2010)
Pierre Bergé looks back on his love story with Yves Saint Laurent as he auctions their art collection. Between melancholy and devotion, an intimate portrait of the couple and their shared legacy emerges.
Catwalk (1995)
Christy Turlington is followed through a fashion season alongside Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss. The documentary captures the adrenaline, excess, and fascination of ‘90s fashion.
The Boy Who Made Shoes for Lizards (2017)
Manolo Blahnik shares his creative world with humor and sensitivity. With testimonials from Anna Wintour, Rihanna, and close friends, the film portrays a shoemaker turned living legend.
This month, between runway shows and premieres, take a moment to watch these fashion documentaries. They remind us that beyond the collections, fashion is memory, expression, and pure inspiration.
