Fashion on Screen: Films to Watch About the Fashion Industry
From glossy pages to behind the scenes: films that show fashion from the inside.
Miranda Priestly, Andy Sachs, and the familiar world of fashion journalism return in the sequel to The Devil Wears Prada, which hits theaters May 1, 2026. But while audiences wait for the premiere, it's a good time to revisit other films about fashion — from cult classics to documentaries about designers and glossy-magazine editors.
The DeTalks team has put together a roundup of films about fashion.
Phantom Thread
Director Paul Thomas Anderson's film tells the story of fictional designer Reynolds Woodcock, played by Daniel Day-Lewis. The film is set in 1950s London — in the world of haute couture, where clothing is made by hand for the aristocracy.
In the story, the designer meets waitress Alma, who becomes his muse, model, and partner. But their relationship gradually turns into a psychological game of power, control, and dependency.
The character is partly inspired by real designers, including Cristóbal Balenciaga. For the role, Day-Lewis trained in tailoring and sewing for a full year to recreate a couturier's work as accurately as possible. During filming, the crew also used real seamstresses, and the costumes were made using archival haute couture techniques.
The film won the 2018 Academy Award for Best Costume Design. Phantom Thread is also considered one of the most realistic portrayals of the fashion process on screen.
The Neon Demon
Director Nicolas Winding Refn created an arthouse thriller about the dark side of the modeling business. Elle Fanning played the lead role — young model Jesse, who arrives in Los Angeles and quickly becomes an object of envy. Her looks open doors into the industry, but also spark dangerous competition.
The film became known for its visual aesthetic — neon colors, symmetrical framing, and an almost 'glossy' look that underscored the artificiality of the fashion world. The costumes in the film also served a symbolic function, showing different 'types of beauty' within the industry. It's more allegory than realistic portrait of fashion, so critics' opinions were split: the film was both praised and criticized.
House of Gucci
Director Ridley Scott's film is based on the real story of the Italian brand Gucci. At the center of the story is the relationship between Patrizia Reggiani, played by Lady Gaga, and Maurizio Gucci, played by Adam Driver. For the film, archival Gucci looks were recreated, and the actors worked with dialect coaches and real-life prototypes.
House of Gucci shows how a family business turns into a corporate empire, and how personal conflicts affect a brand. The film underscores that fashion isn't just creativity — it's also power, money, and strategy.
The September Issue
The September Issue is a documentary about the making of the most important issue of Vogue magazine, under the direction of Anna Wintour. The film shows the whole process from concept to final issue, including conflicts within the team.
Creative director Grace Coddington played a special role in the film, bringing a more artistic approach to fashion. The September Issue shows how glossy magazine visual culture takes shape, and how decisions that shape global trends get made.
Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel
The film tells the story of editor Diana Vreeland, who worked at Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. She transformed fashion journalism, making it more creative and conceptual.
The film uses archival footage and Vreeland's own words, creating the effect of a personal narrative. It focuses on how the editor effectively turned fashion into a cultural phenomenon.
High & Low: John Galliano
Director Kevin Macdonald's documentary is devoted to the career of one of fashion's most controversial designers, John Galliano. The film traces his path from studying at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design to working at the houses of Givenchy and Dior, where he achieved worldwide fame.
In the film, Galliano reimagines the format of the fashion show itself — his runway presentations become full theatrical productions, complete with dramaturgy, characters, and stories.
The film also gives special attention to the designer's creative method — Galliano works with historical imagery, mixing eras and cultural codes to create complex, instantly recognizable silhouettes. The film uses archival footage of runway shows, interviews with industry insiders, and with the designer himself.
The film also highlights Galliano's role in popularizing haute couture in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, when fashion began actively engaging with pop culture. The film's second half focuses on the crisis in Galliano's career and the 2011 scandal that cost him his position at the house of Dior.
Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist
Director Lorna Tucker's documentary tells the story of Vivienne Westwood, the designer who brought punk aesthetics from the street into high fashion. The film traces her journey from the SEX shop in London, which she created with Malcolm McLaren, to worldwide recognition.
Westwood blended historical silhouettes with provocative details, creating a distinctive style that broke the industry's traditions and turned runway shows into cultural statements.
The film also highlights Westwood's activism: the designer used fashion as a platform to speak about climate, politics, and overconsumption. At the same time, the film shows her contradictory character and conflicts, adding to its realism.