"Becoming Karl Lagerfeld" and more - Streaming highlights for Fashion Week
On July 1st, Fashion Week starts in Berlin. Fashion enthusiasts from all over the world are making their way to the capital again. But even for those staying at home, there's no escaping fashion - streaming services like Disney+, Netflix, and others are flooding the market with films and series on the topic.
Daniel Brühl as Karl Lagerfeld
Recently, "Becoming Karl Lagerfeld" on Disney+ has been generating excitement. In the six-part miniseries, Daniel Brühl (46) portrays the legendary fashion designer in his younger years. The series takes place in the 1970s - long before Karl Lagerfeld (1933-2019) became an icon with his sunglasses and white horse-tail. His journey to the fashion Olympus is marked by intrigues, excesses, resentment, jealousy, and a great love. Impressively, Brühl manages to make the aloof Kaiser Karl accessible to the audience.
The Greatest Designers and Supermodels of All Time
Disney+ also has some big names in fashion in the works. A miniseries dedicated to Cristóbal Balenciaga (1895-1972) is in production, with Alberto San Juan (56) portraying the Spanish fashion icon as a mysterious master who revolutionized the world of fashion. The new documentary "Diane von Fürstenberg: A Woman on Top" shows the life and 50-year career of Diane von Fürstenberg (77), from her childhood as a daughter of a Holocaust survivor to the creation of the iconic wrap dress.
In the lineup of great designers, Yves Saint Laurent (1936-2008) cannot be missed. In 2014, two films about the French designer were released: "Yves Saint Laurent" and "Saint Laurent." The first focuses on Saint Laurent's relationship with his business partner and lover Pierre Bergé (1930-2017), while the second portrays him during the peak of his career from 1967 to 1976. Both films are available on Amazon Prime.
The focus of "The New Look" on Apple TV+ is on the designers Christian Dior (1905-1957) and Coco Chanel (1883-1971). The star-studded historical series tells the story of haute couture in Paris during the Nazi occupation and the following years. In the story, Christian Dior (Ben Mendelsohn, 54) and Coco Chanel (Juliette Binoche, 59) share equal billing.
The French film icon Binoche paints a highly nuanced, complex portrait of the Nazi collaborator Coco Chanel, while Mendelsohn's Christian Dior never loses faith in his designs, even in the darkest hours of the occupation, that they can bring joy and spirit back to Paris and the entire planet after the liberation.
The Netflix miniseries "Halston" (2021) focuses on the life story of the American designer Roy Halston Frowick (1932-1990), played by Ewan McGregor (53). The five episodes chart Halston's rise and fall in the 70s and 80s.
Fans of legendary supermodels will find themselves in the Apple TV+ docuseries "The Super Models." In a total of four episodes, viewers can dive into the glamorous world of model icons Naomi Campbell (54), Cindy Crawford (58), Linda Evangelista (59), and Christy Turlington (55). Filmmaker and Oscar winner Roger Ross Williams (61, "Music by Prudence") and his colleague Larissa Bills shed light on the unfiltered careers of their subjects - with all the highs and lows that the fashion world has to offer.
The Dark Side of the Fashion World
However, the fashion world also has its darker side, which is explored in the Netflix series "The Dark Side of the Fashion Industry." The four-part documentary series delves into the exploitation and abuse that models and garment workers face, as well as the environmental impact of the industry. The series features interviews with industry insiders, activists, and survivors, shedding light on the hidden side of fashion.
There are also fashion shows that play out in an intriguing way beyond the real fashion world. "The Devil Wears Prada," released in 2006 on Disney+, features Anne Hathaway (41) and Meryl Streep (75) in a story about how cutthroat the fashion world can be. Streep plays the imperious and arrogant fashion magazine editor-in-chief Miranda Priestly, reportedly inspired by the legendary "Vogue" editor-in-chief Anna Wintour (74).
The same horn blows on the streaming platform "Cruella" (2021): Emma Stone (35) tries to make a name for herself as a clever con artist Estella amidst the London punk rock revolution with her creative looks. In the process, she transforms herself more and more into the feared and vengeful Cruella de Vil, who will stop at nothing in the competition for the perfect design.
In the Netflix series "Emily in Paris," fans follow the adventures of the American Emily (Lily Collins, 35), always dressed in expensive luxury brands, in the fashion capital. In a Parisian marketing firm, she has to deal with various cultural shocks and nasty colleagues. Love also presents numerous challenges for the protagonist. The fourth season of the popular series comes out still this year in two parts. Part 1 will be released on Netflix on August 15, 2024. The second half of Season 4 follows on September 12, 2024.
"Sex and the City" is the inspiration for the style in "Emily in Paris." All six seasons with Sarah Jessica Parker (59) and her friends, as well as the two seasons of the spin-off "And Just Like That..." - including outfits and shopping scenes in Carrie Bradshaw's signature style - are available to stream on Sky.
Fashion can be funny
"Shopaholic - The Shopaholic" on Disney+ shows that fashion doesn't always have to be taken so seriously in the film from 2009. Shopaholic Rebecca (Isla Fisher, 48) dreams of a career at a fashion magazine but ends up in finance instead.
In the teen comedy "Clueless - As If!" (1995) on Paramount+, Cher (Alicia Silverstone, 47) tries to help a classmate gain popularity through a makeover in outrageous 90s outfits.
Ben Stiller (58) stars as the limited male model Derek Zoolander in "Zoolander" (2001), available on Paramount+, who must assert himself against his rival Hansel (Owen Wilson, 55).
Those who still aren't satisfied with clothes, skirts, and shoes can look forward to "In Vogue: The 90s" on Disney+, which will soon release another fashion series. With numerous stars and "Vogue" editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, the episodes take us into the 90s and show the most famous fashion and pop culture moments of this special decade.
Juliette Binoche delivers a nuanced portrayal of the complex character of Coco Chanel in "The New Look" on Apple TV+. The series explores the designer's relationship with Christian Dior, played by Ben Mendelsohn, during the Nazi occupation and its aftermath.
The six-part miniseries "Becoming Karl Lagerfeld" on Disney+ generations excitement by showcasing Daniel Brühl's portrayal of the fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld in his younger years. The series takes place in the 1970s, highlighting his journey to fashion fame marked by intrigues, excesses, and a great love.
In the Disney+ miniseries "Diane von Fürstenberg: A Woman on Top," the life and 50-year career of fashion icon Diane von Fürstenberg is chronicled. From her childhood as a daughter of a Holocaust survivor to the creation of the iconic wrap dress, the series covers her remarkable journey.
The release of "Yves Saint Laurent" and "Saint Laurent" in 2014 on Amazon Prime offers two different perspectives on the legendary French designer. The films illustrate different phases in Saint Laurent's career, focusing on his relationship with business partner Pierre Bergé and his pinnacle as a designer, respectively.
The Netflix miniseries "Halston" highlights the life story of American designer Roy Halston Frowick, played by Ewan McGregor. The series explores his rise and fall in the fashion world during the 70s and 80s, revealing both his successes and struggles.
The Apple TV+ docuseries "The Super Models" delves into the glamorous world of model icons Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, and Christy Turlington. Filmmaker Roger Ross Williams and his collaborator Larissa Bills offer unfiltered insights into their careers, exploring both their inconveniences and triumphs.
"The Dark Side of the Fashion Industry" on Netflix is a four-part documentary series that delves into the exploitation, abuse, and environmental impact prevalent in the fashion industry. Revelatory interviews with industry insiders, activists, and survivors illuminate the hidden side of fashion.
Netflix's "Cruella" reimagines the tale of Cruella de Vil, with Emma Stone playing a clever con artist seeking fame in the London punk rock scene. The series showcases her transformation into the feared fashion designer, faced with challenging competitions and self-discoveries.
The Netflix series "Emily in Paris" follows the titular character's adventures in the French fashion capital, filled with cultural shocks, snarky colleagues, and romantic entanglements. Lily Collins stars as the ambitious Emily, navigating Parisian fashion while face-to-face with demanding personal challenges.
The Apple TV+ docuseries "The Great Fashion Revolution" sheds light on the evolution and impact of fashion throughout history, offering viewers insights into the trends and cultural shifts that have shaped the world of fashion for centuries.
