1
Single man
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A Single Man is both shocking and gorgeous, a combination that director Tom Ford (yes, that Tom Ford) nails. George is a man grieving the loss of his girlfriend, and in the midst of his grief he encounters a series of friends and allies that will have you on the floor the first time you see it. And with the help of costume designer Arianne Phillips, Ford makes A Single Man a must-see classic.
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2
Bop
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Thanks to black fashion scholars and critics, BAPS has recently undergone a critical re-evaluation, and its visual impact on culture cannot be understated, with rappers, pop stars, and drag queens alike referencing its distinctive costume designs. What’s more, the film is an overall fun romp, with Halle Berry and Natalie Desselle shining as Nishi and Mickey, aspiring soul food and hair salon entrepreneurs who fly to Los Angeles for the Video Girl contest.
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3
Barbie
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It was clear from the publicity cycle that Barbie’s fashions, drawn from the Chanel archives and Mattel’s storied closet, would leave us breathless. Thankfully, Greta Gerwig and costume designer Jacqueline Durran delivered and more. There’s a reason this film is the can’t-miss cinematic event of the year, and it’s quickly made a name for itself as one of the most stylish movies in Hollywood history.
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Four
Crazy Rich Asians
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There’s a reason Crazy Rich Asians is a global success: In this modern take on the classic rags-to-riches story that Hollywood loves, Constance Wu is magnetic as Rachel, the misfit girlfriend of Singapore’s most desirable bachelor, who discovers that the lifestyle of the rich and famous comes with a lot of clothes.
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Five
Throw away love
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Let’s put professionalism aside for a moment. As a critic and self-professed romantic comedy lover, Down with Love is one of my favorite movies of all time. It’s so funny, so sharply written, and so packed with great actors and costumes that it never leaves you breathless. In this quirky satire of the 1960s news media, Renée Zellweger plays Barbara Novak, a best-selling feminist author with killer outfits who becomes hopelessly entangled with Catcher Brock, a sophisticated womanizer and writer played by Ewan McGregor. This movie has it all, characters and more.
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6
Personal Shopper
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Creepier than most of the other films on this list, “Personal Shopper” tells the story of a supermodel personal shopper, and things quickly get bad, but revealing any more about the film starring Kristen Stewart would spoil the surprise.
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7
funny Face
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Often confused with Barbra Streisand’s hit musical Funny Girl, Funny Face actually stars Audrey Hepburn as Jo, a bookish store clerk pursued by renowned fashion photographer Dick (Fred Astaire) in New York and Europe. The musical number “Think Pink” is one of the most memorable songs in film history, not to mention some great, beautiful dresses.
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8
Funny girl
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A personal favorite of just about everyone, “Funny Girl” introduced moviegoers to Barbra Streisand and her one and only iconic outfits as Fanny Brice. As the titular Funny Girl, she shines in a variety of enviable outfits, from little showgirl to world-famous comedy legend. Plus, she sings “My Man” in her platonic ideal of a little black dress.
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9
Gucci House
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Lady Gaga has had a Midas touch when it comes to marketing the costumes in her latest films. From House of Gucci to the upcoming Joker sequel, there’s a veritable cottage industry of paparazzi photos of her life on set. Though reviews are mixed, House of Gucci is a treasure trove of vintage design, and it’s worth a watch just for Gaga to utter the line, “Father, son and the House of Gucci.”
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Ten
Josie and the Pussycats
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Josie and the Pussycats was a cult favorite among camp enthusiasts like me, but this satire about a rock group that becomes unwitting pawns in a capitalist brainwashing scheme is experiencing a resurgence in popularity on social media. Its enduring popularity is thanks in part to the incredible costumes by costume designer Leesa Evans. But beyond the mouthwatering costumes, this movie basically has everything we want: sharp cultural commentary, Parker Posey, musical numbers, and stunning visuals.
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11
Life-size
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Before there was Barbie, there was life-sized dolls. This coming-of-age comedy stars Tyra Banks and Lindsay Lohan as dolls come to life, complete with all the clothes they’re wearing, of course. Inspiring, funny and nostalgic, this production will hold a special place in the hearts of future fashionistas around the world.
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12
mahogany
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Diana Ross’ 1975 masterpiece Mahogany, about an aspiring fashion designer’s journey to international superstardom, features more outfits than you can handle. Would I prefer purple outfits or iridescent chiffon? Or is it the embroidered peach gown I dream of most? The movie’s tagline says it all: “Mahogany: The Woman Every Woman Wants to Be, Every Man Wants to Have.” Ross had already achieved legendary diva status before the film was released, but it certainly cemented a legacy that has endured for over 40 years.
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13
Marie Antoinette
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If you haven’t reblogged a still from Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette, you’ve probably been on Tumblr. With its intricate costumes and lavish design, the film has long been a favorite of fashionistas, which is no small feat. Costume designer Milena Canonero won an Academy Award for Best Costume Design in 2007 for her work on the film, and went on to design costumes for similarly stylish films like The Grand Budapest Hotel (also an Oscar winner) and Asteroid City.
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14
Phantom Thread
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Paul Thomas Anderson’s drama about a tormented dressmaker and his muse-turned-wife is thrilling, sexy, and gorgeous to watch. Daniel Day-Lewis is immersed in the role of Reynolds Woodcock, and besides the enviable dresses he sends his clients, there’s a knife-edge chemistry between him and co-star Vicky Krieps.
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15
Ready to wear
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Starring Julia Roberts, Sophia Loren and Kim Basinger, the 1994 film Prêt-à-Porter was the pre-eminent fashion film before The Devil Wears Prada. A murder mystery set against the backdrop of Fashion Week, it follows two reporters who go undercover to solve one of the 20th century’s most glamorous crimes. With a chic, funny and sharp script by director Robert Altman, Prêt-à-Porter transports you back to one of fashion’s most enviable and memorable decades.
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16
Sex and the City
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The film Sex and the City received mixed reviews when it was first released but has since become a cult favorite, especially after the first two seasons of And Just Like That… were similarly polarizing. There’s a lot to love about the film, but perhaps most notable is Vivienne Westwood’s iconic wedding dress, which was the most prominent of Sarah Jessica Parker’s on-screen wardrobe as fashion maven Carrie Bradshaw.
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17
Showgirl
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It doesn’t matter where you are, who you are, what you do, or where you’re going: if you haven’t seen Showgirls yet, stop what you’re doing and run to the nearest TV. If you’ve already seen it, you’ll probably do the same, because this is a movie that needs to be rewatched (at least) every six months. Paul Verhoeven’s 1995 blockbuster tells the story of an aspiring Las Vegas dancer who gets caught up in forces much larger than her own ambitions. Erotic, thrilling, and complete with enviable costumes, Showgirls has earned a reputation as a controversial masterpiece.
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18
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
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Before there was Wong Foo, there was Priscilla. This drag-queen-favorite Australian comedy lovingly follows three fashion icons as they embark on a cross-continental journey aboard the eponymous bus. Featuring some of the most referenced costumes in recent cultural memory, it’s a visually stunning love letter to the LGBTQ+ community at a time when the world at large was still waking up to the reality of those suffering from the AIDS crisis.
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19
The bitter tears of Petra von Kant
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Another cult favorite on Tumblr and old online fashion message boards, Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s West German romantic drama is set in the spacious bedroom of narcissistic fashion designer Petra von Kant and explores themes of beauty, loneliness, and emotional codependency.
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20
The Devil Wears Prada
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Did you expect the synopsis of this article to begin with a blue sweater joke? Oscar de la Renta made a collection of blue sweater jokes in 2002, after all. But there’s more to love about this movie than blue sweaters and thigh-high Chanel socks. The chemistry between Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep as Andy and Miranda is electric, and the film remains one of the most memorable portrayals of the cutthroat worlds of fashion and publishing.
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