For 18 seasons, Bravo’s Project Runway (2004), has been the source of some of reality television's most iconic fashion moments. From head-turning designs to disastrous hemlines, the fashion competition always weaves an intense thread of competition and mastery as participants cut, stitch and sew their way to the top.
For fans of the Bravo series seeking an extra dose of dramatic tension, look no further than this list of the most fashionable and chic documentaries to help scratch that fashion itch. From the catwalks of Milan to studios in Soho, these slice of life films are the perfect fashion-related content that’ll fit perfectly in between Runway reruns.
The First Monday In May (2016) - Amazon Prime
The First Monday in May is a documentary about the biggest fashion event of the year: The Met Ball. The star-studded gala is an annual fundraiser where both Hollywood’s biggest and brightest and fashion's most prominent descend upon New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art to celebrate the opening of the costume institute's latest fashion exhibit.
In 2015, director Andrew Rossi follows the team behind the shindig as they prepare for China: Through the Looking Glass, an exhibit showcasing the relation between Eastern and Western designs. The documentary does not shy away from the criticism that the theme is problematic and promotes Orientalism. Behind all the glamor, the doc takes a necessary look at how the fashion industry frequently appropriates cultures and their influence on the world. Monday in May is now available on Amazon Prime Video.
Dior & I (2014) - Amazon Prime
Dior is one of the most well-known and highly regarded fashion labels around. The fashion house’s classic and timeless signature style is a favorite among the Hollywood elite and other titans of wealth. In 2014, Frédéric Tcheng turned the camera on Raf Simons, the brand’s creative designer from 2012-2015.
The film is a feast for the eyes of fashionistas and provides a solid and honest tale about how the notable brand has always stayed true to its style in a world where fashion is constantly changing and adapting with the times. Dior is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorfs (2013) - Amazon Prime
This doc is a fun and lighthearted tour into the history of the iconic New York City department store. The retail giant has dressed everyone from Jackie Kennedy to Michelle Obama, and the doc features cameos from a who's who of designers, including Vera Wang and Diane von Fürstenberg.
From the window displays to the endless counters, not an inch of Bergdorfs isn’t covered in this Matthew Miele-directed picture. Audiences will walk away without any doubts as to how it’s remained one of 5th Avenue's most prominent landmarks. The film is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
A Perfect 14 (2010) - Amazon Prime
One of the biggest criticisms of the fashion industry is the unhealthy and unrealistic beauty standards that it promotes. A Perfect 14, a doc by Canadian director Giovanna Morales Vargas, confronts these dangerous ideals by following three plus-sized models as they not only pursue their careers but also advocate for change.
The film is a call to action to bring all different shapes, sizes and voices to diversify and reimagine what the fashion industry has the potential to be. Currently, 14 is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
The Gospel According To André (2018) - Amazon Prime
André Leon Talley is one of the most prominent figures in today’s fashion industry so, it seems like a no-brainer that he’d earn his own documentary. The Gospel According to André allows viewers to get to know the journalist, fashion curator and Vogue’s former editor-at-large.
Director Kate Novack tracks Talley’s childhood to his time working for Andy Warhol, The New York Times and beyond. The film is an intimate snapshot of the man behind the clothes and offers viewers a chance to understand how his presence in the fashion business came to be. The Gospel is available to rent on Amazon Prime Video.
McQueen (2018) - Hulu
Alexander McQueen was one of the most impactful and influential designers of his time. In 2010, McQueen passed away and eight years later, a documentary by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui was produced as a tribute to the fashion icon.
The doc focuses on his unbridled passion, rare talent and controversial designs that kept him in the spotlight during his career. His dark and macabre style makes for some startling imagery and evokes an emotional experience for viewers. The posthumous production is a breathtaking look into the designer's art, legacy and mental health. McQueen is available for screening on Hulu.
Paris Is Burning (1990) - The Criterion Channel
Paris Is Burning is one of the most influential documentaries of the 20th century. The Jennie Livingston picture is preserved by the United States National Film Registry and was purchased by The Criterion Collection in 2020. An honest and timely look into ball culture in 1980’s Manhattan, the film captures a moving and intimate portrait of the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities.
The film also serves as an ode to how fashion is a form of expression and celebration, with a myriad of head-turning colorful and dazzling costumes. However, the vivid imagery does not distract from the film’s exploration of race, gender, sexuality, poverty and the AIDS crisis. The film is available on The Criterion Channel.
The True Cost (2015) - Amazon Prime
While many fashion documentaries fixate on the glamor and luxury of the business, The True Cost takes a hard-hitting look at the ugly side of the industry. In 2015, filmmaker Andrew Morgan captures the horrors behind fast fashion, including poor labor laws and sweatshops.
The doc features some startling images of the tragic working conditions and pollution that the garment industry, capitalism and globalization have created. It’s eye-opening to see how garment workers risk their health, safety, and sometimes, their lives, and the doc asks viewers to consider where the clothes are coming from. Cost is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
The September Issue (2009) - YouTube & Apple TV
The September Issue takes viewers inside the esoteric world of Vogue Magazine. The publication, which was founded in 1892, has been a long-standing leader in the fashion industry. The documentary follows the enigmatic and perfection-driven editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, as she prepares their legendary September issue.
It’s hard to deny that the 2009 R.J. Culter doc shares some eerily similar traits to The Devil Wears Prada. Wintour serves as both a subject and a subject matter, reminding audiences that this up close and personal portrait is a once-in-a-lifetime peek behind the curtain. The film is currently available to rent on YouTube and Apple TV.
Suited (2016) - HBO Max
Produced by Girls creative alum, Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner, Suited is an HBO Max documentary that follows the team behind Brooklyn’s Bindle & Keep, a garment company that specializes in suits for LGBTQ+ clients.
The film is a thought-provoking piece about the transgender community and the ways in which the fashion industry isn’t always tailor-made. It’s a hopeful and moving doc about how clothes have the power to help uplift and express one’s true self. Viewers can stream the film on HBO Max.