Fashion à la Kanopy

Sheryn Morris, Librarian, Literature & Fiction,
Three film collage of fashion films
Films for Fashionistas

Kanopy is an incredible resource for feature films and documentaries. Their collection of films about fashion covers many categories: Most Popular, Fashion Industry Documentary, Fashion Runway Shows, Textiles, and Recently Added. There are over 300 titles, with Kanopy adding new films all the time. The documentaries cover the expected topics but offer others such as sweatshops, Islamic fashion, textile production, fashion photography, modeling, and an entire series of films called The Year in Fashion. There will not be enough time for clothes lovers to splurge for free, and create their own watch list for future viewing. If you see something that is not available, they have a section for recommending titles.


Films for Fashionistas


Book cover for Bill Cunningham New York
Bill Cunningham New York

Bill Cunningham was a fashion photographer for The New York Times, and best known for his street photos. Even Anna Wintour said everyone dresses for Bill. He knew what was going on in the world of fashion design, but more importantly had an unerring eye for what New Yorkers were wearing.


Book cover for Black Dandy: A Political Beauty
Black Dandy: A Political Beauty

Black Dandyism is a style of dressing that encompasses formal, classic European suits, with a unique twist that goes back generations, with many cultural and social influences.


Book cover for Blue Alchemy: Stories of Indigo
Blue Alchemy: Stories of Indigo

There is a certain shade of blue dye known as indigo that has been around for centuries. The film presents its origins, production, and a revitalized interest and value in making indigo the traditional way.


Book cover for Christian Louboutin: Top of the Heels
Christian Louboutin: Top of the Heels

They are easily recognizable because of their outré style, very high stiletto heels, unique embellishments, and because of those bright red soles. The prices for these works of art are higher than the stiletto heels, but maybe less than a trip to the podiatrist.


Book cover for Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel
Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel

She was the most innovative fashion editor, and the documentary attempts to capture the magic of this empress of fashion, who was a visionary. One of her slogans was, “Give ‘em what they never knew they wanted.”


Book cover for Christian Dior
Christian Dior

Part I of three parts about the man whose work is still synonymous with the luxurious world of refined haute couture.


Book cover for Fresh Dressed: The Evolution of Rap Fashion
Fresh Dressed: The Evolution of Rap Fashion

The unique, bold look and influence of Rap Fashion has been far-reaching, from urban streets to major designers, to the music industry and to everyone else.


Book cover for Stella McCartney
Stella McCartney

A famous last name and a famous father could be obstacles or advantages. For more than 30 years Stella McCartney has made it on her own as a major fashion designer in the world of high-end fashion.


Book cover for Sonya Rykiel
Sonya Rykiel

When she couldn’t find clothes to wear during pregnancy, Rykiel designed her own, which became her first success, The Poor Boy Sweater. She created clothes that had seams on the outside, unfinished hems, and slogans written on them.


Book cover for Gianni Versace
Gianni Versace

Versace’s designs were known for luscious colors, large bright prints, and a sexy edge to all his clothes, for both women and men. His life was cut short, but the fashion empire continues.


Book cover for Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist
Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist

Dame Vivienne Westwood was part of the young punk scene in London, and one of its clothing designers. Although she was not formally trained in fashion design and tailoring, she has the eye of a tailor which forms the basic foundation for many of her innovative clothes.


Book cover for Women He's Undressed
Women He's Undressed

The title is a spin-off from Orry-Kelly’s autobiography, Women I’ve Undressed. He was a major designer in the film industry, and winner of three Academy Awards for costume design:
An American in Paris, Les Girls, and Some Like It Hot. Orry-Kelly designed costumes for hundreds of Hollywood films.



 

 

 

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