Bed, a hot cuppa, a good film – do weekends get any better than this?

I’ve put together a list of my favourite documentaries about some of the greatest minds in the fashion industry. That’s hours of fascinating stories about the geniuses that shaped today’s fashion as well as buckets of visual pleasure, inspiration, and pure entertainment – you can thank me later!

JEREMY SCOTT: THE PEOPLE’S DESIGNER

An intimate look into the life and world of iconic fashion designer Jeremy Scott, who has become notorious for his provocative designs and the fervent controversy they have spawned. Viewers follow the story of Jeremy’s ascent from a small town in Missouri to his current position as the Creative Director of the Italian fashion house Moschino

MADDMAN: THE STEVE MADDEN STORY

Maddman tells the unlikely rags to riches story of Steve Madden, who went from selling shoes out of the trunk of his car to becoming the mogul of a billion-dollar designer footwear empire. Then, at the height of his success, he was sentenced to prison because of his entanglement with Jordan Belfort, the infamous Wolf of Wall Street, as recounted in the Martin Scorsese film. Ben Patterson offers a candid look at how the colorful Madden rebuilt his empire and his life following his release.

OZWALD BOATENG: A MAN’S STORY

The film, 12 years in the making (by director Varon Bonicos who has been filming Boateng since 1998 – he opened his first Savile Row shop in 1994, at age 34), is both a professional and personal profile of Ozwald Boateng who has outfitted men like Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, Spike Lee, Brad Pitt, Chris Rock, Daniel Day Lewis, Don Cheadle, Forest Whitaker, Russell Crowe, Wesley Snipes, and countless others.

IRIS

Iris is a 2014 American documentary film directed by Albert Maysles about the life of fashion icon Iris Apfel. It was one of Maysles’ last films before his death in 2015.

More than a fashion film, the documentary is a story about creativity and how, even in Iris’ dotage, a soaring free spirit continues to inspire. Iris portrays a singular woman whose enthusiasm for fashion, art and people is life’s sustenance, and reminds us that dressing, and indeed life, is nothing but an experiment. Despite the abundance of glamour in her current life, she continues to embrace the values and work ethic established during a middle-class Queens upbringing during the Great Depression.

VALENTINO: THE LAST EMPEROR

Famed Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani opened his first fashion house in 1959. In 2007, Valentino announced his retirement plans and began preparing for his final show. This documentary follows Valentino during the last two years of his time as a designer, accompanied by Giancarlo Giammetti, his patient partner in both business and life. As Valentino gets ready to conclude his fashion career, he worries about the the intentions of the corporation buying his clothing line.

MANOLO: THE BOY WHO MADE SHOES FOR LIZARDS

The documentary, which premiered in September 2017, follows the coveted designer behind the scenes of the infamous brand. Close friend of Manolo and industry expert Michael Roberts directs, delving into the designer’s whimsical world.

The documentary also features interviews with some of the most notable names in fashion and entertainment including Anna Wintour, André Leon Talley, Paloma Picasso, Naomi Campbell and Sofia Coppola to name a few.

VERY RALPH

Very Ralph is HBO’s documentary profile of Ralph Lauren, the billionaire fashion designer who made everyone wish they had a horse and mallet and a riding crop, but persuaded us to be content with a shirt instead. Director Susan Lacy’s challenge was to find a way into the private life of a notoriously private individual, and part of the film’s allure is footage of Lauren outside his glossy fashion-world bubble. 

WONDER BOY

Wonder Boy is a sensual French motion picture that takes us closer to the creative director of the old fashion house Balmain. This is a story about the formation of Olivier Rousteing – not only about his path in the fashion industry, but also about the search for his roots.

CRAZY ABOUT TIFFANY’S

Crazy About Tiffany’s is the first, fully authorized documentary capturing how once a simple jewelry store has woven itself into pop culture as a global phenomenon. Whether it’s focusing on the Tiffany family, following the priceless Tiffany Diamond to China, or documenting how master craftsmen hand-make a classic Jean Schlumberger design, the film captures the dramatic and inspiring depth of an uncompromising company and brand.

INSIDE DIOR

Inside Dior is a two-part documentary series that goes behind the scenes of one of the world’s most luxurious superbrands as it celebrates its 70th birthday. Made with exclusive access, it looks at Dior’s past and present, following the arrival of the first female creative director in its history – Maria Grazia Chiuri.

MCQUEEN

The film documents the rise of Lee Alexander McQueen as a self-described “unremarkable” working-class boy from East London, he harnessed his demons and went on to become a global one-man fashion brand and one of the most iconic artists of the century.

JEAN PAUL GAULTIER: FREAK AND CHIC

In an all-access look behind the scenes, the film follows the exceptional and ambitious 2-years in the making of Gaultier’s gla­morous cabaret, which will plunge viewers into the eccentric and often provocative universe of this iconic genius.

Showcasing in intimate detail how this visionary designer assembled high-style choreography, original music, extravagant costume designs, and immersive set design in one of the most famous performance halls of the world’s fashion capital, JEAN PAUL GAULTIER: FREAK & CHIC displays the best of French glamour through this daring and colorful creation that pushes the boundaries of the fashion genre.

DIANA VREELAND: THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL

This intimate and loving portrait of the legendary arbiter of fashion, art, and culture illustrates the many stages of Vreeland’s remarkable life. Born in Paris in 1903, she went on to become New York’s “Empress of Fashion” and a celebrated Vogue editor.

THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE

The film revolves around the making of the Vogue September 2007 issue. (The September Vogue is traditionally the biggest, most important issue of the year.) It depicts the effort that goes into making the magazine, and the passion that Grace Coddington, a former model turned creative director and the only person who dares to stand up to Anna Wintour, has for the highly regarded fashion magazine. In the film, Coddington is often portrayed as the leading victim to Wintour’s aggressive personality. The relationship between Wintour and Coddington reveals itself to be symbiotic, as Wintour recognizes Coddington’s expertise and keen eye for design. In the end, Wintour approves most of Coddington’s ideas and they appear in the final version of the September issue.

SCATTER MY ASHES AT BERGDORF’S

Giorgio Armani, Candice Bergen, Manolo Blahnik, Isaac Mizrahi and others offer a peek behind the backroom doors and into the inner workings of the iconic Manhattan department store.

WESTWOOD: PUNK, ICON, ACTIVIST

Documentary film reflecting on the extraordinary career of Dame Vivienne Westwood, looking closely at her artistry, her activism, and her cultural significance.

LAGERFELD CONFIDENTIAL