You Don't Understand! This is an Alaia!

Inspired by last week's release of The Devil Wears Prada (at least in the U.S.; it's not out until September in Singapore… grumble), I've been on a quest to make a list of the top fashion films – the very best flicks either about the fashion industry or featuring amazing fashion.

A little Google-ing turned up a pretty good list at Final Fashion and another over on MSN Movies. Both aren't bad, but I want more! Anyone have suggestions? I'll kick things off with a list of my Top Fashion Film Recommendations (Bonnie & Clyde, above, didn't make the final cut – but I'm certainly open to discussion):


Clueless: When this movie came out in 1995, I was obsessed with Cher's little matching mini-kilt and sweater vest combinations. I may have even tried to replicate the look with some Gap ensembles (what can I say? It was another chapter in my fashion life…) The movie may not be the epitome of chic anymore (more like a great example of ridiculous '90s excess), but Cher's fact-heavy fashion-speak still deserves much credit for educating me to the fact that Alaia is "like, a totally important designer."


Down With Love: So it wasn't exactly a huge hit, but I really love this cute Renee Zellweger-Ewan McGregor romantic comedy, which is full of amazing 1960s styles. Pillbox hats and pink everywhere! Every time it's on TV, I have to stop everything I'm doing and watch it, if only for the clothes. And, uh, Ewan McGregor.

Unzipped/ Seamless: Douglas Keeve's fashion documentaries may have been shot 10 years apart (Unzipped follows Isaac Mizrahi – in his pre-Target, pre-talk show heyday – as he puts together a new collection; Seamless follows three finalists of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award) but they both provide a great glimpse inside the fashion industry. [I *just* got Seamless yesterday in a wonderful belated birthday package, and cannot wait to watch it.] I also just love that people you'd normally see only in photos – Tom Ford, Anna Wintour, Kate Moss, for starters – actually open their mouths and speak, with sometimes hilarious results.

Intern: Long before Prada-wearing devils, there was this indie film chronicling the life of an overworked intern at a hysterical parody of a fashion magazine. Full of cameos from Fashion Icons like Andre Leon Talley and Gwyneth, and some really hilarious commentary. Sample line: "I heard from the sous-chef at Davé, who heard from his boyfriend, who worked backstage at Galliano with Orlando Pita, whose blowdryer's assistant just came from the Gaultier show, that his next collection will be revolutionary. The girls will come out on the catwalk… in wheelchairs!" [Collective gasp.] "Wheelchair chic? Genius!"


Breakfast at Tiffany's: Kind of a predictable choice, I admit. But watching Audrey Hepburn gallivanting around in perfect little Givenchy dresses and wide-brimmed hats just makes me want to throw away all my kitschy vintage prints and instead buy a really big diamond or something. (And truly, you can't go wrong with any movie with the Audrey-Givenchy partnership – I just caught the end of Charade on TV the other day, and her outfits in that film are just as classic and covetable.)


Blow-Up: I'm currently watching this classic, which is set in 60s swinging London and whose main character is based on fashion photographer David Bailey. (It's not actually black and white, that's just the only good pic I could find.) The pace of the plot is a little slow – which is why it's taken me more than a week to finish watching it -- but the constant parade of 60s mod dresses more than make up for it. Added bonus: A young Jane Birkin (um, in a threesome).