Movies, TV Series, and Reality Shows About Fashion

When you think of a movie about fashion, which one immediately comes to mind? If it was "The Devil Wears Prada," we wouldn't be surprised! Although it's a movie that talks more about relationships and professional dreams, this romantic comedy classic delivers a lot when it comes to fashion. Just ask the iconic Miranda Priestly, brought to life by actress Meryl Streep!

Image: Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada, 2006 (Article: Fashion Movies, Series, and Reality Shows)

Fashion Movies

With so many options for movies that talk about big names in fashion, such as Chanel, Gucci, Versace, and Prada, we need to talk about one specifically: Fresh Dressed.

Image: Documentary Fresh Dressed, 2016 (Article: Fashion Movies, Series, and Reality Shows)

This documentary, released in 2015, presents the evolution of streetwear, from its birth in New York with the hip-hop scene in the 70s. The expressiveness of urban fashion is portrayed especially in how people from the outskirts began to see themselves during this social and cultural movement. It is a film that inspires and stimulates the self-esteem of young people from the peripheries. Directed by Sasha Jenkins, the documentary is 83 minutes long and can be found on streaming platforms.

In the same vein, there's the Brazilian documentary Favela é Moda (2019), by director Emílio Domingos and available on Now.

Other famous films you might also enjoy: House of Gucci (2021); Cruella (2020); Phantom Thread (2017); The Great Gatsby (2013); Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009); Coco Before Chanel (2008); The Devil Wears Prada (2006); 13 Going on 30 (2004); Clueless (1995); Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961); Funny Face (1957).

Image: Lady Gaga in House of Gucci, 2021 (Article: Fashion Movies, Series, and Reality Shows)

And documentaries: McQueen (2018); Dior and I (2015); Iris (2014); The Director: An Evolution in 3 Acts (2013); Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel (2013); The September Issue (2009);

Fashion Series

Image: MJ Rodriguez in Pose, 2018 -2021 (Article: Fashion Movies, Series, and Reality Shows)

Fashion is a theme present in many successful series, such as Gossip Girl and Sex And The City, but it is becoming increasingly popular (and we have to thank the producers) to address the topic in a diverse and deeper way, as is the case with Pose (3 seasons). This brilliant FX production, led by the award-winning producer Ryan Murphy (Glee, American Crime Story, and American Horror Story), features the LGBTQIA+ balls in New York in the 80s, where marginalized people in society were welcomed and showcased in costume competitions. The series has been nominated for major awards in recent years and, in 2022, consecrated MJ Rodriguez as the first transsexual actress to win a Golden Globe for best actress. Pose can be watched in full on Star+, but the first two seasons are also on Netflix.

Image: Emily in Paris - Netflix (Article: Fashion Movies, Series, and Reality Shows)

Other series that address fashion as a theme: Girlboss (1 season – Netflix); Emily in Paris (2 seasons – Netflix); Velvet Collection (2 seasons – Netflix); No Shame – documentary (1 season – Netflix); The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (4 seasons - Amazon Prime Video); The Crown (4 seasons, Netflix).

Fashion Reality Shows

Among the best series about fashion are reality shows. Of course! The most famous fashion reality show is, without a doubt, Project Runway. The competition has had 19 seasons so far and can be watched here in Brazil on the (paid) Lifetime channel.

Image: Fashion Reality Show - Next in Fashion, 2020 (Article: Fashion Movies, Series, and Reality Shows)

The fashion reality show that became very popular in 2020 (and left many people upset after its cancellation) is Next in Fashion. The production was hosted by fashion icons Tan France and Alexa Chung, who led the competition between 18 designers of various nationalities, vying for a prize of 250 thousand dollars. In January 2022, Netflix announced a new season, to the delight of many, but without a release date yet.

Other successful reality shows worth watching are: Styling Hollywood (Netflix); Queer Eye (Netflix); Making the Cut (Prime Video).

Did we leave any out? You can leave a comment with your favorite production. And if you thought of a different movie than what we suggested in the first paragraph, tell us too!