New York Fashion Week has come and gone and you may be feeling deflated, but you can get a grand fix on Netflix with their latest line-up of fabulous fashion focused movies and documentaries. Whether you’re a die-hard fashionista or interested in learning something new, these top picks have something for everyone.
The Tents (2012) Run Time: 1hr 18m
For the fashionista, “The Tents” will satisfy your fashion fix with a candid view of top American designers and industry heavy hitters like J. Alexander, Kelly Cutrone, Nina Garcia, Tommy Hilfiger, Betsey Johnson, Donna Karan, Michael Kors, Isaac Mizrahi, Zac Posen, Russell Simmons, and Joe Zee, as they discuss the tents in Bryant Park and the move to Lincoln Center. For the regular viewer, “The Tents” shares a story of shear ingenuity and economic brilliance of American designers and the American fashion industry determined to enter the global fashion market. The backstory shared in “The Tents” is the all American rags-to-riches tale from a very unexpected industry.
God Save My Shoes (2011) Run Time: 1hr 11m
This documentary takes a look at the insane and hysterical relationship that women have with their shows. The Makeup Examiner could relate to “God Save My Shoes,” as I’ve often been compared to Imelda Marcos. Manolo Blahnik, Meghan Cleary, Filipa Fino, Christian Louboutin, Kelly Rowland, and Dita Von Teese discuss how shoes have become such objects of desire.
All on the Line (2011) – Seasons 1-2
Creative director at Elle magazine, (and everyone’s favorite), Joe Zee mentors struggling fashion designers in this Sundance Channel reality series. Joe Zee helps designers to transform their lines from “bargain bin” into runway ready style. Of course not every designer who claims to want this fashion maven’s help truly does, and the result can be an epic dose of frustration for Joe Zee.
Black White + Gray: A Portrait of Sam Wagstaff and Robert Mapplethorpe (2007) Run Time: 1hr 12m
Take on walk on the side of freak in the potent documentary that focuses Sam Wagstaff’s game changing impact on photography’s place in art and fashion. Patti Smith shares intimate details of the relationship that she had with both Sam Wagstaff and controversial photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. From the “anything goes” days of 1970s New York City to the death of Wagstaff, fashionistas, photogs and movie enthusiasts won’t want to miss this one.
Ultrasuede: In Search of Halston (2010) Run Time: 1hr 33m
Iconic American fashion designer, Halston, is the man whose work is truly responsible for taking American fashion to the next level and was the first American designer invited to show at Versailles. But, what happened to Halston? Why is the most iconic American designer’s name rarely heard? Filmmaker Whitney Smith sets out to find the answers and chronicles the fabulous life, career and end of Halston.
Unzipped (1995) Run Time: 1hr 13m
This documentary, shot by director (and former boyfriend of Isaac Mizrahi) Douglas Keeve, follows designer Isaac Mizrahi as he creates his fall 1994 collection for New York Fashion Week directly after the epic fail of Mizrahi’s summer 1993 collection. “Unzipped” shows Mizrahi in the most candid light and offers fans a look at the world’s top supermodels of the 90s like, Naomi Campbell, Helena Christensen, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Shalom Harlow, Kate Moss, Kimora Lee Simmons, Niki Taylor, Christy Turlington, Amber Valletta, and Veronica Webb. As well as fashion icons, Faye Dunaway, Eartha Kitt, and André Leon Talley.
A Man's Story (2010) Run Time: 1hr 37m
Jumping across the pond, this documentary takes an intimate look at celebrated London menswear designer Ozwald Boateng. “A Man’s Story” was shot over a 12-year period documenting the private sacrifices that Boateng makes to stay relevant and at the top. Ozwald Boateng is the quintessential menswear designer and the documentary treats viewers to a look at top celebrities such as Richard Branson, Gabriel Byrne, Daniel Day-Lewis, Laurence Fishburne, Prince Charles, Keanu Reeves, Gavin Rossdale, Ryan Seacrest, Will Smith, and Forest Whitaker, among others, as the go to see the man who dresses the men.
