BCREATIVE CONSULTING provides informative, engaging and SEO-smart blow posts for many different clients, often ghost-written or anonymously. This piece is for The Cut Fashion Design Academy and its sister company, The Cutting Room who have built a local and international audience for their educational and fashion production facility. Blogging is an excellent opportunity to gain stature, create connections and earn the attention of algorithms.
When watching a fashion documentary it can be a fun challenge to figure out which is more colourful – the clothes or the people who make them. But the best fashion documentaries are also fascinating examinations of the complicated – and very hectic – world of style and design. Here are 5 that are a cut above:
“September Issue” – Currently on Netflix, this 2009 doc provides an unprecedented look at what it takes to pull together a single issue of Vogue Magazine. Longtime editor Anna Wintour -with her short bob of a haircut and constantly-worn dark sunglasses – is as steely as ever but also reveals a softer charm. Yet it’s her flame-haired assistant Grace Codington who makes you realize how much hard work goes into crafting perfection.
“Valentino” – The Last Emperor”. The Italian legend has always been the dashing (and dramatically difficult) romantic lead for a golden era of fashion design now fading away. In this 2012 doc he proves himself worthy of his reputation- brilliant, mercurial, a master of colour and fabric. And funny – the designer is obviously still enjoying himself.
“McQueen and I” – Alexander McQueen was the British working-class kid who grew up to dominate all the fashion world runways with his extravagant style. He loved being brash and wildly colourful. This intimate look back at McQueen’s life following his unexpected suicide at 40 is very compelling. A rare star burning fast.
“Bill Cunningham New York” – This 2010 doc portrays the late street photographer who for 40 years famously bicycled his way through New York to capture “the fashion show in the streets”. Modest and always nattily dressed, Cunningham chronicled the daily parade of well-styled regular people he spotted whether at some high-priced fashion event – or jumping a puddle on 5th Avenue. He turned up everywhere. As Anna Wintour once said – “we all dress for Bill”.
“Iris” – Also currently on Netflix, this 2015 doc directed by Albert Maysles (who made the exceptional ‘Grey Gardens’) follows Iris Apfel as the 93-year old style icon wows her way from event to event. With her saucer-sized eyeglasses, silver hair and layers of exquisite clothes and accessories, Iris is never to be missed in a crowd. Even designers seek her out. And watch for the moment when Iris even manages to shut down Kanye West.
