Fashion on Film
(Photo credit: By In-house publicity still [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Fashion and film are two art forms that seem pretty much tailor made for each other (haha-puns!). Since the dawn of the moving picture, directors have relied on the extensive experience of the wardrobe assistant to make sure their characters appear glamorous on screen, and fashion in turn makes for excellent subject matter for films themselves.
Last week I admitted that I’m not exactly a fashion plate – more of a nerdy sci-fi guy in fact. Yet, I’ve realized that some of my favourite movies have had a strong fashion influence on them.
For instance, one of my all time favourite films, Luc Besson’s The Fifth Element (1997) was not only a stylish sci-fi thriller hosting performances by a whos-who of Hollywood. It was also a celluloid runway for internationally renowned designer Jean-Paul Gaultier, who created the fantastical costumes for the movie, from Milla Jovovich’s orange rubber suspenders to Bruce Willis’ bizarre blonde dye job.
Another great fashion movie (currently experiencing a revival as a Broadway Musical) is Julian Jarrold’s 2005 sleeper hit Kinky Boots. The film stars a young Chiwetel Ejiofor, who provides a glamorously unlikely sartorial solution to a failing shoe factory in a conservative English town.
Finally, few movies have had me howling with laughter like Ben Stiller’s ridiculous 2001 fashion farce Zoolander. One of the silliest movies I’ve ever watched, Zoolander tells the tale of hapless male model Derek (played by Stiller) who finds his stardom waning when a new uber-hunk Hansel (Owen Wilson) arrives on the scene.
These are just a few of the fashion-influenced films I’ve loved – I could also wax eloquent about impeccably styled films like Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette or Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner, or great biopics like Anne Fontaine's Coco Avant Chanel.
Instead of me rambling on and on anymore though, I'd rather find out what some of your favourite fashion films are! Leave a comment to recommend a stylish movie you love and tell us what's so great about it!
11 thoughts on “Fashion on Film”
I agree, many iconic fashion moments are created in film. For example Audrey Hephurn wore her iconic little black dress in the film Breakfast with Tiffanys. Fashion in film is always a creative process that lets the characters in film shine and look their part, while at the same time being a trademark symbol for the film.
I loved that film! She is such a talented actress, I do remember the poster for that movie with the black dress. It really stood out, it was also very original at the time which stirred up the media.
Additionally, I also loved Marilyn Monroe’s pink gown and gloves with elaborate diamond jewellery in the film Gentlemen Prefer Blonds while she was singing Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend. The ensemble represented her characters vain and selfish nature during the song, and certainly made her stand out!
I have to say, the Wizard of Oz! Yes! The famous Ruby Slippers, originally silver, but we are talking about films here. It is a great film, very comical and touching. I have to say, after I watched it, I searched everywhere for ruby slippers, so I settled for red converse.
Yes! I remember that song. I was laughing along with it, just can’t be mad at Marilyn.
Haha I remember when I first watched it when I was younger and I would always bug my paren’ts to get me ruby red slippers. It also fascinates me that we attach so much more with those ruby red slippers. When we see them we think of home, perseverance, and everything Dorothy represented herself. The slippers were essentially part of her character.
I’d forgotten about the Wizard of Oz! Those ruby slippers are totally one of the most iconic clothing items in the history of movies. Indiana Jones’ hat is another accessory that’s pretty loaded with meaning that leaps to mind. (hey! I should write a blog post about this! – any other suggestions?)
I really did not know about Audrey Hepburn and the movies she acted in but over time I got to know her a little bit and I really love her sense of style. She had such a simple yet elegant style and with that style, set the tone for today’s women.
A stylish movie I love is Hairspray. I love this movie because of how it was a musical that related to the way blacks were being treated in the 80s. I love the way they dressed and the way they danced. The girls wore long dresses that they swung back and forth when they danced, while the guys wore form fitting suits. They were so cautious about how their hair looked and they always hair sprayed them a lot. I remember always dancing to their songs.
Whoah! Great movie! Did you prefer the older version (directed by John Waters) or the newer one (with John Travolta)?
I prefer the newer one with John Travolta as the mother.