Fashion On Film: Iconic Movies That Redefined Style and Storytelling

Fashion and film have always shared an intimate bond, a partnership in which costume design shapes characters and, in turn, characters shape culture. This synergy goes beyond mere visual appeal—it's where storytelling meets sartorial innovation. Certain films transform wardrobes into trendsetting statements, blurring the line between fiction and reality.

Fashion on film doesn’t just complement the narrative—it becomes a character, a voice, and a legacy, forever intertwined with the stories it tells and the trends it ignites. This dynamic interplay continues to inspire, merging imagination with influence in ways that captivate the silver screen and the catwalk. As the world gears up for the highly anticipated fashion weeks in 2025, this connection feels more relevant than ever. Through bold costume design and iconic styles, films have birthed trends, immortalized characters, and cemented the influence of fashion within our collective imagination.

Here’s a concise lineup of films that captured our hearts and transformed our love for fashion in cinema into an enduring fascination. 

Dune: Part Two (2024): Futuristic Couture from Screen to Runway

The cinematic phenomenon of Dune, which is not immediately associated with fashion in film, carries the torch by combining visionary costume design and contemporary haute couture to redefine fashion as a cultural language. Every garment in the film feels like a deliberate stroke on a canvas, blending futuristic innovation with echoes of traditional and cultural craftsmanship. The stark yet intricate pieces—sand-toned stillsuits, flowing desert robes, and regal, otherworldly attire—tell a story of survival, power, and mysticism, reflecting the moods of a distant era that feels both ancient and futuristic. These designs have rippled through the fashion industry, inspiring contemporary collections with asymmetrical cuts, muted palettes, and textural complexity.

This synergy was vividly on display during Dune’s world premieres and film festival circuits, where the cast became an extension of the film’s aesthetic genius. Timothée Chalamet stunned in custom Haider Ackermann suits. Zendaya, another fashion luminary, turned heads in sculptural gowns by Balmain and Rick Owens, with silhouettes and tones remarkably reminiscent of the arid, mystical landscapes central to Dune's visual storytelling. Rebecca Ferguson brought a regal edge, wearing Valentino creations that channeled the opulence and power dynamics at play within the film’s narrative. 

Funny Face (1957): A Love Letter to Old Hollywood Glamour

Starring Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire, "Funny Face" captures the essence of Parisian haute couture through its whimsical yet sophisticated lens. The film paints a picture of the fashion world as enchanting and aspirational, with Hepburn’s character, Jo Stockton, evolving from a bohemian bookstore employee to a magnetic high-fashion model. The costumes, designed by the legendary Edith Head and French fashion icon Hubert de Givenchy, are nothing short of awe-inspiring. Jo’s transformation is immortalized in scenes set against the Eiffel Tower and other landmarks, where she glistens in gowns, veils, and striking color-blocked ensembles.

"Funny Face" isn’t just a musical romance; it’s a celebration of the artistry behind photography, design, and personal style. It bridges the world of fashion photography and editorial fantasy while radiating the timeless charm of both Hepburn and Paris itself.

Blow-Up (1966): A Snapshot of 1960s Cool

Michelangelo Antonioni’s "Blow-Up" is a psychedelic plunge into the mod London of the 1960s, where fashion, art, and existentialism collide. The protagonist, a photographer played by David Hemmings, moves freely through a world populated by angular models and swinging socialites, capturing the fleeting energy of the decade. With iconic faces of the era like Veruschka gracing the screen, "Blow-Up" reflects the liberating irreverence of 1960s fashion.

The film’s casual, almost voyeuristic take on the imagery of mini-skirts, knee-high boots, and color-drenched spaces underscores fashion’s role as a cultural barometer during major social shifts. Antonioni uses fashion not just as costuming but as a metaphor for constructing, shuffling, and distorting identity in a rapidly changing world.

Mahogany (1975): A Dream in Design and Drama

"Mahogany," starring Diana Ross as design student-turned-global fashion sensation Tracy Chambers, dives headfirst into the industry's glitz and chaos. Equal parts drama and indulgent fantasy, the film relishes the contrast between Tracy’s ambition and her personal challenges.

Ross also designed many costumes and delivered iconic looks ranging from flowing kaftans to hyper-glamorous evening gowns. Her daring designs echo the boldness of 1970s fashion—lustrous fabrics, expansive silhouettes, and unapologetic opulence. Beneath the dazzling exterior, "Mahogany" speaks to themes of creative ambition, self-discovery, and perseverance in a ruthless industry.

Prêt-à-Porter (1994): Fashion Satire at Its Best

Robert Altman’s satirical comedy "Prêt-à-Porter" pulls back the velvet curtain on Paris Fashion Week's chaotic inner workings. The ensemble cast—featuring Julia Roberts, Sophia Loren, and Tim Robbins—unpacks the vanity, eccentricity, and drama behind the world’s most glamorous runway shows.

The film deftly parodies the absurdity and artifice embedded in fashion, flitting between high-stakes rivalries and frivolous extravagance. From runway mishaps to egos clashing backstage, "Prêt-à-Porter" offers a chaotic yet fond portrait of an industry that thrives on spectacle. It’s fashion’s zaniness in cinematic form, painted with Altman’s signature humor and charm.

The Devil Wears Prada (2006): A Modern Style Bible

Over the years, "The Devil Wears Prada" has cemented its iconic status as the quintessential film about the fashion world. Anchored by Meryl Streep’s commanding performance as Miranda Priestly, the thinly veiled Anna Wintour-inspired editor-in-chief, and Anne Hathaway’s portrayal of the naive assistant Andy Sachs, this film delivers style and substance in equal measure.

Fashion becomes a character in its own right, with Patricia Field’s costume design offering unforgettable moments—Andy’s Chanel boots and sleek post-makeover wardrobe, for instance, underscore her transition into the high-fashion world. At its heart, the movie is about the conflict between creativity, career ambition, and maintaining one’s identity in a demanding and often unforgiving industry. Miranda's now-legendary monologue about cerulean sweaters subtly reveals how deeply fashion permeates our lives, even when we don’t realize it.

Cruella (2021): Sid Vicious Meets Couture

Disney’s "Cruella" brings a punk rock flair to fashion films, exploring the backstory of one of cinema’s most infamous style icons, Cruella de Vil. Emma Stone inhabits Cruella as a rebellious designer challenging conformity in 1960s London.

The film’s costumes, designed by Jenny Beavan, rival the "fashion film" pantheon. With inspirations ranging from Vivienne Westwood’s anarchy to John Galliano’s theatricality, each piece exudes drama and defiance. Whether it’s setting a gown ablaze or staging an extravagant fashion coup, "Cruella" captures the ego, creativity, and wild imagination of a designer trying to make her mark.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961): The Birth of Iconic Elegance

Audrey Hepburn’s Holly Golightly in "Breakfast at Tiffany’s" remains one of cinema’s most enduring style icons. Draped in her black Givenchy gown, oversized sunglasses, and a pearl necklace, Hepburn redefined elegance and minimalism.

While the film primarily focuses on Holly’s chaotic quest for love and belonging, her wardrobe tells another story—one of poise, adaptability, and charm. It’s impossible to think of "Breakfast at Tiffany’s" without conjuring up the image of Holly peering into Tiffany & Co.’s window. The look distilled a high-society image that has echoed throughout fashion history.

House of Gucci (2021): Glamour, Scandal, and Power

Ridley Scott’s "House of Gucci" unravels the scandalous missteps and power struggles within one of Italy’s most infamous fashion dynasties. Lady Gaga delivers a fiery performance as Patrizia Reggiani, matched only by the film’s sumptuous wardrobes. Costume designer Janty Yates revived Gucci’s distinctive ’80s and ’90s aesthetic with aplomb, from fur coats to power suits, dripping in drama and wealth.

Patrizia’s calculated ascent—and eventual descent—mirrors the Gucci family’s decline into chaos and betrayal. Beyond the drama, "House of Gucci" draws audiences into what truly makes a brand—and whether the name on the label is worth the sacrifices made for eternal relevance.

Coco Before Chanel (2009): The Origin of a Visionary

Audrey Tautou’s portrayal of Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel in "Coco Before Chanel" profoundly explores one of fashion’s most influential pioneers. Focusing on Chanel’s early years, the film captures her rejection of society’s corseted norms in favor of a modern aesthetic of comfort and simplicity.

Catherine Leterrier’s costume design is as understated as it is revolutionary, mirroring Chanel’s breakthrough vision for women’s fashion. The film explores themes of independence, ambition, and self-invention—qualities that defined both Chanel herself and the global empire she built.

Films that intertwine fashion into their mise en scène and elevate it to a vital character do more than set the scene—they craft a dialogue between art, ambition, and identity. These moments of cinematic storytelling capture the essence of fashion as a living, breathing force that influences and reflects culture. They reshape how we perceive style, revealing it not just as a visual element but as a narrative tool, a symbol of aspiration, and a mirror of societal shifts. In films, fashion is no mere accessory—it’s a storyteller, a dreamweaver, and an indelible part of the human experience.

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