You do not need to go see a “chick-flick” like The Devil Wears Prada or Sex in the City to experience fashion in movies (although you will definitely get your fix). The world of fashion is evident and can be experienced in almost any movie. Unique and different fashion trends are made famous through movies that subsequently have audiences running to the stores to model these current trends.

To a film, a costume designer is an artist whose job it is to create a costume that captures the identity of a particular character. The creativity of costume designers is even more prominent in movies set in different time periods such as Marie Antonette or Pride and Prejudice, or -more recently but still in a different time period- The Notebook or The King’s Speech. It is through these movie genres where costume designers have the opportunity to showcase and bring to the forefront styles of the past. It is often these styles that inspire audiences to recapture these trends again. For example, The Notebook brought back styles of high-waisted shorts, polka dots and playsuits.

Famous fashion designers have evolved into innovative costume designers. Some of the most notable in the field is Giorgio Armani for American Gigolo, Yves St Laurent  for Belle de Jour, Givenchy for Breakfast at Tiffany’s , Vera Wang for Sex and the City, and Ralph Lauren for Annie Hall. Many international and cultural trends have evolved through these movies. Specific trends that have emerged from the film industry include the “little black dress and pearl necklace” from the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s. This was one of the more classic and glamorous fashion trend that has evolved from a movie. Leg warmers from Flashdance, daisy dukes from The Dukes of Hazard, and even a quirky, hipster style came from the lead character in the indie movie 500 Days of Summer. In the 90s, Clueless defined the generation it portrayed by introducing trends like plaids, pastels, and knee highs that became fashionable in the 90s. When the grunge look became so popular, it was like a breath of fresh air. Annie Hall inspired the unique mannish styling of Diane Keaton, which in turn, had a huge influence in the fashion world in the 70s.

Fashion and costume design play a huge role in film. The visual appeal of movies, whether it be a fashion based plot like Confessions of a Shopoholic or the subtlety of Fight Club, also impacts significantly to film and will always play a major role. So go check out a movie because you may be inspired by the latest, stylish fashion trend!

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post