In an industry as high-end asthe fashion world, there is an event that certainly stands out as the most exclusive of them all: theMet Gala. Run by fashion magazine Vogue and held annually on the first Monday of May, the gala is aimed at raising funds for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in New York City. Although it began as a mere dinner event, over time, it grew into one of the most important nights of the year, during which celebrities fortunate enough to receive Anna Wintour’s coveted invitation gather in one place to set some ofthe biggest fashion trendsof the coming season.
Among the most interesting things about the Met Gala is its theme, which differs every year according to the exhibition that launches at the Costume Institute, inviting attendees to get creative with their looks. Some of the most relevant themes in recent years have included “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination,” “Camp: Notes on Fashion,” and this year’s theme, “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,” honoring the late designer. Just like fashion in general, the Met Gala has inspired a number of movies. Check them (and other fashionable films) out below.
The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
The Devil Wears Prada
In David Frankel’sThe Devil Wears Prada, Anne Hathaway plays Andy Sach, a newly graduated journalist with an odd fashion sense, who somehow lands a gig as assistant to fashion mogul Miranda Priestly (brilliantly played by Meryl Streep), a position that is as exclusive as it is demanding. Rounding out the cast of this popular production are Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci and Adrian Grenier.
What Makes It Great
The Devil Wears Pradais probably among the first movies people think of when it comes to the fashion world, and that makes sense: it’s based on Lauren Weisberger’s novel that was loosely inspired by her experiences working with Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour (perPeople). While the film doesn’t actually feature the Met Gala, it showcases a Runway magazine event that is clearly inspired by it, packed with celebrity guests wearing lavish ensembles from the most exclusive designers.
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The Devil Wears Prada: 10 Iconic Fashion Moments in the Movie, Ranked
Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway star in one of the most expensively costumed films in history. Check out its best fashion moments.
The September Issue (2009)
In 2009, R.J. Cutler took the helm ofThe September Issue,a fashion documentarythat lets the audience enter the stylish world like never before. It follows Anna Wintour and her team as they work on the September issue of Vogue, widely known as the biggest issue of the year.
While the documentary doesn’t actually feature the Met Gala, it certainly gives us a glimpse into how Wintour works to pull it off, not to mention that the content featured in Vogue’s September issue heavily influences the Gala. This documentary is a must-watch for all fashion lovers, as it showcases some of the industry’s major figures.
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The First Monday in May (2016)
Andrew Rossi’sThe First Monday in Mayis the perfect production to grasp the making of the Met Gala. This 2016 film chronicles the staging of the 2015 exhibition China: Through the Looking Glass, one of the most attended fashion exhibitions ever, as well as the Met Gala that preceded it.
This acclaimed documentary grants audiences exclusive access to the Met Gala, following Anna Wintour and the array of people involved in organizing both the exhibition and the gala, which proves to be extremely complex tasks. Moreover, it offers interesting perspectives on creative processes and factors that influence the world of fashion and art.
Ocean’s 8 (2018)
Rounding out this list isOcean’s 8, which premiered in 2018 as a spin-off of Steven Soderbergh’sOcean’strilogy. Showcasing one of the finest all-women casts in history, the production follows con artist Debbie Ocean (played by Sandra Bullock) as she assembles a team to pull off the most ambitious scheme of her career: orchestrating a million-dollar heist during the Met Gala.
Many things makeOcean’s 8a great movie to watch, from its impressive cast to its entertaining and gripping story. This Gary Ross film is perfect for fashion lovers because it features exclusive garments and jewelry, as well as a depiction of what goes on at the Met Gala, including cameos from Anna Wintour, Gigi Hadid, and other stars who are often invited to the event, which make the scenes look even more realistic.
Rent on Apple TV+
Movie Characters That Started Big Fashion Trends
Some of the silver screen’s most entertaining and unforgettable characters have also proven to be fashionable trendsetters in their own right.
Other Fashionable Movies You Might Like
Funny Face (1957)
A few years before she became an international star as the leading actress inBreakfast at Tiffany’s, Audrey Hepburn starred in thefashionableFunny Face, a musical film in which she proved to be a force to be reckoned with in both dancing and acting. In this production, which also features stellar performances by Fred Astaire and Kay Thompson, the actress plays Jo, a bookstore clerk tempted by a fashion photographer to travel to Paris and become a model.
Funny Faceis set in the 1950s, and it allows audiences to see the outfits and trends of a pivotal decade for the fashion industry. Hepburn has been a fashion icon since her early days in the industry, so any of her productions are well-worth checking out, but this particular film marks another successful collaboration between the actress and Hubert de Givenchy, which even resulted in an Academy Award nomination for the latter.
Stream on Paramount+
Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Breakfast at Tiffany’sis arguably the most iconic film in Audrey Hepburn’s career. In this Blake Edwards rom-com inspired by Truman Capote’s novel, she plays Holly Golightly, a glamorous young woman who falls in love with an aspiring writer who moves into her apartment building.
This 1961 film made a lasting impression on both the film and fashion industries, with costumes designed by Hubert de Givenchy that are still a major source of inspiration for designers and aspiring artists to this day. Moreover, Hepburn’s picture with her high hairdo, sunglasses and little black dress swept the world and became a timeless classic.
Sex and the City: The Movie (2008)
2008 marked the premiere ofSex and the City: The Movie, a rom-com by Michael Patrick King that reunited the stars of the hit show of the same name four years after the series ended. The production is set some years after the series' finale and follows Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda as they face new challenges such as marriage, infidelity and motherhood.
Sex and the Cityis one of the most glamorous franchises in history, and both the show and the movies have been trendsetters that influenced thousands of fans around the world,while showcasing fashionas a means of self-expression. Patricia Field is in charge of the film’s costumes and, through over 300 outfits, presents an obvious evolution in the style of each of the characters that directly relates to everything they have experienced in the last few years.
A Single Man (2009)
A Single Man
In the 2009 filmA Single Man, Colin Firth delivers a performance of a lifetime as George, a college professor who, while grieving for his lover who died in an accident, schemes to take his own life. But as he goes about his daily activities for what he believes to be the last time, he meets a few individuals who will utterly change his perspective on things. Joining Firth in this production are Julianne Moore, Nicholas Hoult and Matthew Goode.
A Single Manmarked the directorial debut offashion designer Tom Ford, proving that it is possible to be wildly successful in many different disciplines. As you would expect with such a talented designer at the helm, the film is aesthetically breathtaking, and showcases costumes that perfectly depict the fashion trends of the 1960s, the era in which the movie is set.
Cruella (2021)
A live-action prequel feature film following a young Cruella de Vil. Starring Emma Stone.
The 2021 filmCruellaoffers audiences a first-hand look at the beginnings of one of the most popular villains in Disney history. This Craig Gillespie production stars Emma Stone as Estella Miller, a talented woman eager to make a name for herself in the fashion industry, an ambition that will lead her down a twisting path that exposes the hidden sides of her personality.
Cruellabrings fashion into the spotlight, and not just because the main characters happen to be fashion designers: the film is set in 1970s London during the punk rock movement, which costume designer Jenny Beavan portrayed to perfection with the characters' outfits. At the same time, the movie offers an in-depth experience of the fashion industry as much as the Met Gala and Vogue documentaries do, exploring the link between clothing and personal identity.
Stream on Disney+
House of Gucci (2021)
House of Gucciis a 2021 film inspired by the real-life feuds of the Gucci family, owner of one of the world’s most exclusive fashion brands. It stars Lady Gaga as Patrizia Reggiani and Adam Driver as Maurizio Gucci, joined by Jared Leto, Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons, among other actors.
Ridley Scott and costume designer Janty Yates have collaborated on several productions, andHouse of Gucciis easily among their most memorable ones. Besides featuring the lavish outfits one would expect to find in a production revolving around one of fashion’s dynasties, this 2021 film offers an interesting glimpse into the behind-the-scenes of this world-famous brand, presenting clashes that are not as well known to the general public.
