7 Must Watch Flicks for the Fashionista

Written by Claire Weltz

Originally Published May 5th, 2020 

When you recall a movie, what do you think about? Maybe it’s the plot or a prominent actor or actress. At L. Royalty, we remember films by their costumes. Cher’s plaid-yellow blazer and skirt is iconic, Dorothy’s ruby red slippers are a standout, and not a Wednesday passes without us thinking about wearing pink. Costumes and styling are an integral part of making stories come to life. With quarantine giving us more time to enjoy our favorite video streaming platforms, we decided to share our favorite TV and movies that are all about fashion! Let’s dive in. 

1. The Devil Wears Prada 

Perhaps the best known Roman à clef of all time, The Devil Wears Prada came to the silver screen in 2006, and it hasn’t left our hearts since. Roman à clef is a genre that stems from true events and figures but has fictitious elements to it as well. Lauren Weisberger, the author of the original novel, was actually an assistant to Anna Wintour - Editor in Chief of American Vogue. (It’s said that Wintour attended the premiere of the movie wearing Prada!) The movie, although made for entertainment, offers a witty insight into the fashion world. Our favorite part is watching Anne Hathaway’s character go from clueless about style to a fashionista, and her looks show this evolution. 

1. Crazy Rich Asians 

Crazy Rich Asians, based on the novel by Kevin Kwan, has more than the stunning Henry Golding and hilarious Awkwafina; its nod to fashion is, well, crazy rich. Costume designer and buyer, Mary Vogt, showed off designers such as Armani, Stella McCartney, Elie Saab, Ralph Lauren, and Dior. Acquiring these pieces wasn’t easy. Some of the jewelry used even came with their own insurance policies and security detail on set! Each character has their own unique style, and it’s worth watching to see how many different designers you can spot! Not to mention that the major wedding scene styling is like reliving Prince Harry and Kate Middleton’s royal wedding! Ah, the good ol’ days… 

1. Project Runway
2. Making the Cut 

Would this list be complete without Project Runway? We think not! Judge Heidi Klum and mentor Tim Gunn ran the world of TV fashion for years. Everyone in and out of fashion knows of this show. But, did you know that Tim and Heidi left to form their own show? Making the Cut is Tim and Heidi’s new show featured on Amazon Prime. It’s just as stylish as Project Runway, but the main difference is this: Project Runway relies heavily on sewing skills while Making the Cut emphasises design elements and styling. The latter allows the contestants to use seamstresses to complete their challenges. Both are captivating shows that showcase talented designers from across the globe. 

1. Gossip Girl 

“Fashion is the most powerful art there is. It’s movement, design, and architecture all in one. It shows the world who we are and who we’d like to be.” Blair Waldorf uttered these famous words on season four, episode thirteen of the iconic show Gossip Girl, and it’s pretty much been our mantra ever since.. To say that fashion didn’t dictate the lives of Manhattan’s elite is the understatement of the year. The show’s style was so emblematic that collectors still seek out pieces from the show. 

1. The September Issue
2. The First Monday in May 

If you’re into documentaries, we recommend The September Issue and The First Monday in May. The September Issue follows Anna Wintour, Grace Coddington, and the rest of the Vogue staff as they put out their esteemed September issue in 2007. It offers insight into what it takes to put together such a complex magazine. The First Monday in May follows the making of one of the most exciting fashion exhibits of The Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art as well as the planning of the 2015 Met Gala. It delves into the creation of the exhibit as well as what it takes to plan one of the most prestigious events in the world - the MET gala. We found the documentary captivating, and we appreciated how it questioned fashion as art. 

Movies and TV shows wouldn’t be complete without fashion. Every detail, down to the button, tells us about the character, where they’ve been, and who they want to be. We hope you take some time to enjoy the silver screen during quarantine, and be sure to let us know your favorite TV and movie fashion icons in the comments below!