Inspirational Fashion Movies

1. MOONRISE KINGDOM: peter pan collared dresses and knee

socks
2. ALMOST FAMOUS: daring sherling coat to wild curls, her style
makes us want to quit our day job and travel with a band and
hopefully a woman as inspiring as Penny Lane would be on the bus
as well.
3. CRUEL INTENTIONS: prep school to sexy upper east-sider to
innocent school girl. So totally 90s
4. FACTORY GIRL: classic looks like her tights and shirts paired with
oversized chandelier earrings.
5. THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE: The editor-in-chief of Vogue doesn't kid
around. And while she has a reputation of being an ice queen, The
September Issue provides insight into what it's like working for her
and being her. As the title suggests, it's about the lead up to the
issue's launch and Wintour's life before Vogue.
6. MARIE ANTOINETTE: colour palette (pastels!) and the
embellishments that many of the beautiful gowns have. Also, just
relish in the beauty of the film and the lavishness of her life.
7. DAZED AND CONFUSED: highwaisted denim shorts like the
senior girls or a fringe vest like Milla Jovovich's character and fit
right into Lee High School.
8. PRETTY IN PINK: wear soft florals and silly hats
9. THE VIRGIN SUICIDES: conservative and extremely feminine
Soft florals and pastels combined with the beautiful
cinematography
10.
BILL CUNNINGHAM NEW YORK: The New York Times
photographer still shoots film, rides around on his beaten up
bicycle and lived in Carnegie Hall.
11.
LARGERFELD CONFIDENTIAL: These are the reasons the
fashion genius deserves a movie about him -- so we can try to
understand what goes on in his world.
12.
GREASE: black pants and the Pink Ladies silk coats
13.
HEATHERS: totally 80s with oversized shoulder pads and
fluffy hair,
14.
Sex and The City
15.
VALENTINO: The Last Emperor :A lookback at one of the
most famous designers' career and designs for some of the most
iconic dresses.It shows the lead up to one of Valentino's last
couture collections and looks at his relationship of his wife. It helps

us understand one of the most famous fashion houses.

16.
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA: It taught us about designers,
photographers, and what it's like on the inside of a high fashion
magazine. We watch Anne Hathaway go from unfashionable to
decked in designers (how did she afford them???). The clothing
alone takes us to a place where we wish we could afford.
17.
BREAKFAST AT TIFFANYS: Audrey Hepburn is a style icon
for good reason. And the Givenchy black dress she wears while
eating outside of Tiffany's has also become iconic. Holly Golightly
is timeless and beautiful.
18.
COCO BEFORE CHANEL: We've read the Coco Chanel
quotes. Oogled over the classic quilted bags and oversized double
C's, but we don't truly know the story of Coco Chanel without a
small visual history lesson. A woman known for her own style has
helped define women for generations to come. This is the story
before she was at the peak of her career.
19.
LA DOLCE VITA: The image of Anita Ekberg emerging from
the Trevi fountain in a black dress is one of the most memorable
scenes in film history. FACT: Few knew how much La Dolce Vita
was inspired by fashion - director Fellini claimed that Balenciaga's
sack dress, with its dramatic silhouette (which flutters like Anita's
black ballgown), inspired the film.
20.
LOVE STORY: It may have erred on the schmaltzy side, but
Love Story was redeemed by Ali Macgraw's preppy wardrobe of
woolly bobble hats, pea coats and stripey college attire. FACT:
This film's fashion icon status was cemented when designer Calvin
Klein stated "she [Ali] exemplified this great American style.
21.
ANNIE HALL: The eccentric, menswear-inspired outfits in
Annie Hall - vintage men's clothing, baggy trousers and fedora
hats - caught on, with pantsuits and men's clothing becoming a
major trend for women after the film's release. FACT: Many of the
items worn in the film actually came from Diane Keaton's own
wardrobe.
22.
ANTONEMENT: This emerald green silk dress from the
infamous library scene in Atonement sparked high street copycats
the world over, and also contributed to costume designer
Jacqueline Durran being nominated for an Academy Award. FACT:
Whilst Durran lost out on the Academy Award, the dress was voted
the best costume of all time by Sky Movies.
23.
ROMAN HOLIDAY: Breakfast at Tiffany's may be the Audrey
Hepburn film most often cited as people's favourite, but her chic

fifties outfits in Roman Holiday are just as iconic - think skipping

around Rome in a dirndl skirt and espadrilles. FACT: The film
inspired a true fashion fairytale - at the end of production,
Paramount gave Audrey the entire wardrobe from the film,
including her hats, shoes, handbags and jewellery.
24.
BLADE RUNNER: What to wear on the streets of LA in
2019? A fur coat and pompadour haircut, obviously. Ridley Scott's
Blade Runner became a cult hit for the weird and wonderful
costumes - a mix of the futuristic and film noir. FACT: Despite a
tense atmosphere on set (thanks to director Ridley Scott) actress
Sean Young (pictured) had "fond memories" of costume designer
Charles Knode, who let her keep this fur coat after the film
wrapped. He then went on to create the costumes for Braveheart.
25.
BARBARELLA: Jane Fonda's futristic costumes summed up
the sixities style - kitsch, playful and more than a little sex kittenish. FACT: The costumes in Barbarella are credited to the
legendary sixties designer Paco Rabanne, though most were
actually created by Jacques Fonteray, and influenced by JeanClaude Forest, who originally created the character.
26.
BELLE DE JOUR: As a sexually-frustrated housewife who
turns to prostitution for satisfaction, Catherine Deneuve's
wardrobe in Belle Du Jour was sixties-prim with a dash of sexuality
- think figure-hugging pencil skirts, silk blouses and stiletto heels.
FACT: Yves Saint Laurent was hired to design the wardrobe for
Deneuve in the Buuel film, and the pair developed a lifelong
friendship - so much so that Deneuve insisted on wearing his
designs in her future films.
27.
NOW, VOYAGER: Probably one of the most famous film
makeovers of all time, in the scene pictured Charlotte Vale (played
by Bette Davis) steps off a cruise ship, transformed from a dowdy
spinster with underplucked eyebrows, to a complete glamour-puss.
FACT: Shoe designer Manolo Blahnik was so taken aback by this
scene he created a whole collection inspired by Charlotte's
'spectator shoes' in the 1970s.
28.
BONNIE AND CLYDE: Stealing money has never looked this
stylish. Although set in the 1930s, the Bonnie's wardrobe has a
seventies feel, with its berets, tweed and fine knits. FACT: Kate
Moss and the Mulleavy sisters of designer label Rodarte have
named Bonnie and Clyde as their favourite film.
29.
AND GOD CREATED WOMAN: In Brigitte Bardot's breakout
film, she was styled as the ultimate sex kitten by legendary

coutourier Pierre Balmain. FACT: This iconic scene, where she

dances provacatively in a split skirt, led to the film being
condemned by the Catholic League of Decency.
30.
CASINO: Sharon Stone won an Oscar for her role as Ginger,
the devious wife of high rolling gambler, but it was her flashy,
sequinned Las Vegas wardrobe that stole the show. FACT: The
costume budget for the film was $1 million, and Sharon had 40
costume changes. The white and gold dress pictured weighed a
whopping 45 pounds.
31.
CLEOPATRA: Elizabeth Taylor's striking wardrobe for the
film Cleopatra didn't just inspire clothing, but also accessories and
even
make-up
trends
notably
Alexander
McQueen's
autumn/winter 2007 collection FACT: Taylor's wardrobe costs were
a big contributor to the film's record-breaking budget - costing
$194,800 and including a dress made from 24-carat gold cloth, it
was the highest ever for a single screen actor.
32.
THE GREAT GATSBY : This 1970s film perfectly captured
the flapper style of the Jazz Age, with the character Daisy (played
by Mia Farrow) dressed almost exclusively in white. The film went
on to win the Oscar for Best Costume Design. FACT: Luckily the
1920s style was drop-waisted - Farrow was pregnant during the
shooting and the film had to be shot wearing loose, flowing
dresses.
33.
DESIRE : One of Marlene Dietrich's most iconic film looks,
this fur-lined dressing gown was created by designer Travis
Banton, who did her first movie costumes at Paramount. FACT:
Banton was credited with creating the "Dietrich style" - a heady
mix of exotic glamour, androgynous pieces, and lots of leg.
34.
GREY GARDENS : This documentary about the eccentric
Beale family was as memorable for the fashion as the quirky
mother-daughter relationship. Little Edie (pictured) said she
dressed "for combat" in old fur coats and with scarves wrapped
around her head. FACT: Little Edie's kooky style was evident at the
premier of the film - she wore her red dress backwards, with the
zip down the front.
35.
THE OUTLAW : Jane Russells' chest is often jokingly
referred to as the star of The Outlaw. But did you know director
Howard Hughes created a breathrough in bra science to ensure
Russell's chest looked its best? He had designers create a
seamless underwire brassiere, leaving no visible support lines
underneath Russell's skimpy shirts. But Russell later said she did

not wear the contraption during filming because it was too

uncomfortable. FACT: Brassiere or no, The Outlaw was still
contraversail, and was withdrawn from cinemas when the
censorship department of The Motion Picture Producers and
Distributors of America ruled that the film had broken too many
decency code, even though Hughes had purposefully cut 37
scenes in which he felt Russell's breasts were overemphasized.
36.
BREATHLESS : From her gamine pixie haircut to a wardrobe
of breton tops, chinos and ballet flats, Jean Seberg's look in French
New Wave film Breathless has now become iconic - and often
copied. FACT: There was no costume designer or official costumes
for the movie - director Jean-Luc Godard encouraged actors to
wear their own clothing and make choices they thought
appropriate for each character.
37.
MILDRED PIERCE : Joan Crawford was always known for
her strong-shouldered look, a style that was displayed to
perfection in Mildred Pierce. FACT: During filming, director Michael
Curtiz fought with the actress over her wardrobe. She was told to
buy clothes "off the rack" to look like a working mother. But Joan
refused to look dowdy, and had her own dressmaker fit the waists
and pad out the shoulders.
38.
A SINGLE MAN : With fashion designer Tom Ford as the
director the wardrobe for A Single Man was always going to wow.
He asked legendary Hollywood stylist Arianne Phillips to do the
costumes - with Julianne Moore's monochrome house dress the
standout piece. FACT: Phillips has als designed movie outfits for
Madonna and Cameron Diaz.
39.
TAXI DRIVER : The film caused controversy when released
for Jodie Foster's character Iris, a Lolita-esque child prostitute
dressed in hot pants, floppy hats and platforms. The then 13 year
old Foster said at the time, I spent four hours with a shrink trying
to prove I was normal enough to play a hooker. Does that make
sense? FACT: To keep the look authentic, Jodie was advised on
her wardrobe by an actual young prostitute, who appears in the
film.
40.
PRETTY WOMAN : Despite playing a prostitue, many of
Julia Roberts' looks from Pretty Woman became iconic particularly brown polka dot ensemble, complete with hat and
matching gloves, from the polo scene. FACT: Roberts admitted she
kept the dress to keep on eye on her figure - and can still fit into it.
41.
DR ZHIVAGO : Dr Zhivago elevated Julie Christie to star

status, and her breathtaking wardrobe of fur coats, hats and

romantic white gowns was used to illustrate social change in a
Russia torn apart by war, revolution and ideological upheaval.
FACT: The film won five Oscars, including Best Costume Design.
42.
THE AFRICAN QUEEN : Katharine Hepburn's dramamtic
Victorian look in The African Queen was designed by Doris Langley
Moore, who created the Museum of Costume in Bath. Katharine
said that the designer, was "a charmer" and knew just what to
wear because she had been brought up in Africa herself. She also
said the director was "fascinated" by the underwear Doris brought
in.
43.
LOLITA : Based on the novel of the same name, Stanley
Kuberick's 1962 adaptation faced controversey with its theme of
the sexualisation of a young girl. So powerful wass the story that
the term 'Lolita' quickly came into use in relation to grown women
adopting a child-like style, and has prompted an entire style
movement in Japan. FACT: The famous heart-shaped sunglasses
that Lolita wears appear only in the publicity photos - she actually
wears cat eye sunglasses in the movie.
44.
PANDORA'S BOX : As a silent movie, the costumes in
Pandora's Box had to work extra hard. That they did, with star
Louise Brooks dazzling in a string of innocent yet sexual outfits
(much like her character), designed by Jean Patou. FACT:
Following the film's release, Brooks' bobbed hairstyle became the
widely copied and has since become synonomous with the 1920s.
45.
DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN : The director took a
chance on Madonna in lead role because of the pop star's personal
style. The gamble paid off - the film brought Madonna's signature
look to the mainstream in the 1980s, with its eclectic jumble of
thrift store finds and wacky accessories. FACT: The thrift store
where the two Susan's go shopping actually exists - it's called
"Love Saves the Day" and is in Greenwich Village in New York City.
46.
THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS : Margot's offbeat wardrobe of
Lacoste tennis dresses, fur coats, vintage bags and barrattes
showed Gwyneth Paltrow in a whole new light. FACT: Director Wes
Anderson wanted to make the Tenenbaums appear "trapped in the
era of their heyday", so made sure all clothes were from the 1970s
and characters stayed in the same or similar outfits throughout
the movie.
47.
THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH : This infamous shot of Marilyn
Monroe's halterneck white dress blowing up around her legs as she

stands over a subway grating was originally shot on Manhattan's

Lexington Avenue. Onlookers whistled and cheered through take
after take as Marilyn repeatedly missed her lines - and eventually
the scene had to be reshot in a studio. FACT: The dress recently
sold at auction for $4.6 million.
48.
WORKING GIRL : In Working Girl, Melanie Griffiths plays
dowdy employee Tess, who is given a makeover by her power-suitwearing boss Katherine, played by Signourney Weaver. Weaver
paraphrased Coco Chanel in the film, telling Tess, "dress shabbily
and they notice the dress; dress impeccably and they notice the
woman." FACT: Griffiths' character's new look came at a price the dress Tess borrows from Katharine for the cocktail party cost
$6000.
49.
OUT OF AFRICA : Meryl Streep's colonial and safari style
wardrobe in the film was effortlessly elegant. Director Stephen
Grimes sent the film's costume designer Milena Canonero colour
copies of the paintings he did whilst in Kenya in order for her to
match the colour palette of the wardrobe to those on-set. FACT:
Streep ran into a spot of bother on set when a huge beetle crawled
into her high-collard shirt, and got trapped during a scene. Like a
true professional Streep carried on - then ripped her jacket off
after the take.
50.
ROSEMARY'S BABY : Mia Farrow's wardrobe in this 1968
film mirrors the actress's own sixities style, featuring plenty of Aline dresses, Peter Pan collars and eye-popping colours. FACT:
Style also plays a symbolic role in Rosemary's Baby. Costumier
Anthea Sylbert shortened Rosemarys hemlines deliberately during
the film as the character gains more and more independence. Her
severe hair cut was also an act of rebellion, and was created by
legendary hairdresser Vidal Sassoon.
51.
THE FIFTH ELEMENT : Jean Paul Gaultier created the
futuristic costumes for this sci-fi film, including the legendary
bondage-inspired outfits, donned by supermodel Milla Jovovich.
FACT: Gaultier designer 954 costumes for the film, and was
present on set each day of filming to ensure the outfits were as he
envisaged them.
52.
PRETTY IN PINK : As the title suggests, the pink prom
dress created by Molly Ringwald's character Andie is one of the
stars of this coming-of-age prom film. FACT: The vintage-cumhand-me-down creation was actually designed by Marilyn Vance,
who was behind the wardrobes for all of John Hughes' Brat Pack

films.
53.
REAR WINDOW : Although only appearing as a supporting
actress, all five of Grace Kelly's costumes in Rear Window are
classic Kelly - full-swish skirts, fitted tops, elbow length gloves,
pearls and that Herms bag. FACT: Paramount's costume designer
Edith Head was nominated for 35 Oscars, and won eight times
(including for Grace Kellys stunning gowns in Rear Window). She
also wrote the bestseller How to Dress for Success.
54.
GILDA : In Gilda, Rita Hayworth performs a striptease in a
black dress - and it became the most iconic example of a femme
fatale in film. FACT: The dress was created by American costume
designer Jean Louis, who collaborated with Rita on nine films and
was responsible for cultivating her glamorous image.
55.
THE WIZARD OF OZ : In the original novel, Dorothy wore
silver shoes, but her ruby slippers in the film are now among the
most treasured and valuable of film memorabilia FACT: A number
of pairs were made for the film (though no one knows exactly how
many) and five pairs are known to have survived - one of these
was stolen in 2005 and never found again
56.
GREASE : Olivia Newton John's development from 'good
Sandy' to 'bad Sandy' is one of film's most iconic transformations her character's wholesome 1950s full skirts, fitted sweaters and
cheearleader pom-poms were replaced by killer red mules and a
skin-tight black catsuit for the infamous final scene. FACT: When
we say skin-tight, we mean it - Newton John was famously sewn in
to the outfit on-set.
57.
GONE WITH THE WIND : The sheer scale of 1939's Gone
With The Wind was reflected in the 19th century outfits - over
5,000 individal items of clothing were crated by the film's costume
designer, Walter Plunkett. FACT: The memorable green dress
pictured was made from a pair of old curtains in the film - Scarlett
wanted to look perfect for Rhett Butler's return, and show she
could still look elegant despite the hardships of the Civil War.
58.
BASIC INSTINCT : Sharon Stone's all-white outift in this
unforgettable scene was made infamous by her character's
absence of underwear. FACT: The white dress was created from
scratch by costume designer Ellen Mirojnick. Ellen stated in
Clothes on Film she wanted to make the character of Catherine
look like "the icy blonde, similar to a Hitchcockian character".
59.
THE STEPFORD WIVES : Whilst the 2004 remake starring
Nicole Kidman featured prim 1950s styling, the original Stepford

Wives was 1970s through and through, including high-waisted,

wide-leg trousers, tonal colours and free-flowing hair FACT: The
supermarket scene, in which lead character Joanna appears to
have become 'robotic' like the other wives, could have looked a lot
raunchier. Screenwriter Goldman wanted the wives to dress like
provocative models, but after Nannette Newman was cast in the
lead role, Goldman decided the wives should look dowdier - hence
the Victorian-inspired maxi dresses.
60.
THE BIRDS : Hitchcock controlled every aspect of his films,
even down to the colour of Tippi Hedren's clothes. He specified she
should wear a green dress during the infamous crow chase scene,
so designer Edith Head created a wardrobe of only blue and green
designs throughout the film. FACT: In 2009, Mattel released a
limited-edition Barbie doll based on the scene in The Birds when
Hedren gets attacked to celebrate the films 45th anniversary.
61.
DR NO : Probably the most famous example of swimwear on
screen (save Daniel Craig's trunks in Casino Royal) Ursula Andress
became the quintiessential Bond Girl when she emerged from the
Caribbean sea in that belted bikini. FACT: The iconic bikini sold for
35,000 at auction in 2001.