In the golden age of television, Netflix has a big part to play. The platform has a great selection of high-standard documentaries to wade through. One of the most well known fashion documentaries is probably True Cost, which unveiled the gruelling factory processes many of our favourite brands swept under the carpet. However, its not all doom and gloom. Here is a selection of four equally celebratory and ethically charged fashion documentaries to get stuck in to when you’ve finally finished the new episodes of Fargo, or tear yourself away from the miracle addition of friends onto the site.
Iris
Made by Magnolia pictures and directed by Albert Maysles, this biographical documentary explores the fascinating world of Iris Apfel. Iris is a now 96-year-old fashion icon, she continues to be flamboyantly stylish, refreshingly quick witted and has an unwavering lust for life. The film is uncompromisingly down to earth and humble, guiding us through anecdotes, pearls of wisdom and explores her journey into the fashion business alongside her philosophy on fashion as a transformative agent of individuality and playful expression. It’s almost impossible to come away after watching this without feeling awe at her vitality and an urge to keep creating.
Girl Model
Girl model is an unflinching documentary that shows the more harrowing side of the all to often murky and regulatory lax modeling industry. Made in 2012, the film follows a conflicted Russian fashion scout, also a former model, who’s job it now is to seek out potential talent for the Japanese fashion industry. 13-year-old Nadya Vall is at the heart of the story and we see her alienated journey from being scouted in her hometown, to being sent to japan and trying to make a success for herself. It’s worth reading around a little before watching this one to see the reception and responses. The director’s intentions to avoid making an ‘exposé’ on the industry combined with Nayda’s disappointment and surprise at being portrayed as a victim, make for a more nuanced and complicated viewing.
Casablancas: The Man Who Loved Women
Yet another controversial number, this documentary directed by Hubert Woroniecki follows the rise of Elite Models founder John Casablancas. This figure is the mogul who invented the concept of the supermodel and kick-started the careers of Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford and Linda Evangelista. Baring in mind that his methods have objectifying undertones of an exploitative nature and has clear associations with the playboy figurehead, this documentary is an interesting source for finding out how his business transformed pop culture and the star driven fashion culture of the 80’s and 90’s.
The First Monday in May
The Met gala is the most anticipated and hyped fashion event of the year. Whatever your views on the event, it’s impossible not to get lulled into the dreamy exhibition of wearable pieces of art for the benefit of the met museum. The first Monday in May, named after the date the museum puts on its biggest exhibition, follows the 2015 Chinese inspired event titled ‘China: Into the Looking Glass’, which portrays a fantasised, Orientalised vision of china through a western perspective. It highlights fashion’s relationship with art and curation, previously described as mere decorative art and takes us viewers into the subterranean world of the Anna Wintour Costume Centre. A mesmerising experience for those who want to learn more about artistic fashion exhibition.