Miuccia Prada announced that she has designed costumes for Baz Luhrmann‘s highly anticipated Elvis biopic ahead of its debut at the Cannes Film Festival. If anything is said about their rich on-screen history, then it’s to remind us of fashion’s pivotal role in film. From Paco Rabanne‘s futuristic costumes in Barbarella to Giorgio Armani‘s crisp suits in The Wolf of Wall Street, fashion designers have successfully worked with costume departments to create some of the most fashionable movie characters over the years. Ahead, a list of the most stylish movies for fashion lovers.
Stage Fright (1950) | Christian Dior
Alfred Hitchcock’s 1950 British Noir film Stage Fright is a mystery thriller with some of the most stylish movie characters. This was in large part due to the film’s star, Marlene Dietrich, who requested that Christian Dior design the costumes for the film. This lead the designer to continue costuming films, such as The Ambassador’s Daughter in 1956.
…And God Created Woman (1956) | Pierre Balmain
…And God Created Woman is a French film set in St. Tropez starring Brigitte Bardot, which follows Bardot’s character Juliette as she is courted by a string of suitors. Pierre Balmain designed the costumes for Bardot, which enhance the romantic element of her character with their simplicity and curve-hugging lines.
Last Year in Marienbad (1961) | Coco Chanel
Not only is Last Year in Marienbad one of the most stylish films of all time, but it also defined the French New Wave movement. The film’s plot is as loose as dream logic as it follows a man and a woman who cross paths at a luxury hotel and believe that they might have had an affair the year prior, behind the woman’s husband’s back. The woman in the film is costumed by Coco Chanel, who designed the dresses for the seminal film.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) | Hubert de Givenchy
Breakfast at Tiffany’s is a book-to-screen film that needs no introduction. The film is notorious for its fashion looks, from Holli Golightly’s pyjama set to her custom Givenchy dress, tiara and pearls in the opening credits. Audrey Hepburn, who portrayed Holli Golightly, was Hubert de Givenchy’s muse, so it’s fitting that the famous designer created one of the most iconic movie costumes of all time for her.
Belle de Jour (1967) | Yves Saint Laurent
Belle de Jour is a French drama directed by Luis Buñuel that follows the story of a young bourgeoise housewife, portrayed by Catherine Deneuve, who yearns for more than domestic life can offer. Yves Saint Laurent created the wardrobe for this character that simultaneously communicated status and her lust for extramarital affairs. The film was so successful that the iconic movie outfits appeared on the runway after the film’s debut.
Barbarella (1968) | Paco Rabanne
Barbarella is a legendary science fiction film that follows an astronaut from the 41st century called Barbarella, who is played by Jane Fonda. The film is based on a comic book series, which portrays Barbarella in a red latex suit. However, Paco Rabanne stepped in and costumed the film; elevating Barbarella’s look by leaning into the futuristic theme of the film. From his chainmail textiles to his metallic bodysuit, Rabanne created the wardrobe for one of the best-dressed movie characters of all time.
Maîtresse (1975) | Karl Lagerfeld
Maîtresse is a 1976 film shot in Paris about a thief who breaks into a home and is surprised by the owner’s line of salacious work. Karl Lagerfeld designed the costumes for the female counterpart, using latex, corsets and a dark colour palette to communicate her storyline.
American Gigolo (1980) | Giorgio Armani
American Gigolo is a film with iconic movie costumes designed by the Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani. It’s set in Los Angeles in the 1980s and follows the story of a man who lives a lavish lifestyle while working in a risque industry. Armani designed the exquisite suits worn by the protagonist, which elevated the character in the eyes of the viewer and popularised the designer in the region.
A View To Kill (1985) | Azzedine Alaïa
Azzedine Alaïa designed the costumes for Grace Jones in the 1985 action film A View To Kill. From the patent leather looks to her silk headwrap, Alaïa made Jones’s villainous character, May Day, one of the most stylish movie characters of all time.
Romeo & Juliet (1996) | Miuccia Prada
Baz Lurhman‘s ’90s adaptation of Romeo and Juliet has some of the best-dressed movie characters, with the help of Miuccia Prada. The Italian fashion designer created some of the film’s most iconic costumes, such as the winged angel look on Juliet, who was portrayed by Claire Danes. The script for the film stays true to Shakespeare’s original text, so the costumes help to modernise this retelling for the viewer.
The Fifth Element (1997) | Jean Paul Gaultier
The Fifth Element is a science fiction and action film that takes place in a futuristic version of New York City in the 23rd century. It’s a movie known for its elaborate costumes, which were designed by Jean Paul Gaultier. From Gaultier’s white wrap worn by actress Milla Jovovich to the futuristic blue flight attendant uniforms, The Fifth Element is one of the most stylish action films to hit the big screen.
Marie Antoinette (2006) | Manolo Blahnik
Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette biopic is known for its elaborate costumes, which were designed in part by the Spanish footwear designer Manolo Blahnik. This film was a strong fit for the designer, who is known for taking inspiration from aristocratic visual markers.
Australia (2008) | Miuccia Prada
Australia is a 2008 film by Baz Lurhmann that follows a British woman named Lady Sarah Ashley, portrayed by Nicole Kidman, who relocates to Australia and travels across its plains with a local man named Dover, portrayed by Hugh Jackman. Miuccia Prada created custom luggage for Kidman’s character to travel with in the film, which signified her status and amplified her voyager narrative.
I Am Love (2009) | Raf Simons for jill sander
I Am Love is a family drama set in Milan, starring actress Tilda Swinton. Raf Simons created luxurious costumes for Swinton’s character, which helps to communicate her family’s wealthy background.
Black Swan (2010) | Rodarte
Black Swan is a psychological thriller that follows a ballerina, portrayed by Natalie Portman, as she aims to fulfil her goal of starring in Swanlake. The sister-duo at the helm of the fashion brand Rodarte designed some of the ballerina costumes in the film, such as the one worn in the dramatic finale.
The Great Gatsby (2013) | Miuccia Prada
This book-to-screen film takes place in the United States during the roaring twenties and follows the mysterious life of Jay Gatsby from the point of view of his neighbour, Nick Carraway. Some of the film’s elaborate costumes were designed by Miuccia Prada, who played into the elegance and hedonism of this time with ornate textiles and flashy accessories.
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) | Giorgio Armani
Leonardo DiCaprio portrays the Wall Street fraudster Jordan Belfort in Martin Scorsese’s 2013 biopic The Wolf Of Wall Street. Similar to his role in American Gigolo, Giorgio Armani designed the suits for The Wolf Of Wall Street to exemplify the lavish and hedonistic lifestyle of Belfort.
James Bond: Spectre (2015) | Tom Ford
Tom Ford was the designer behind the looks in James Bond: Spectre. Bond is notorious for being one of the most stylish movie characters of all time, so Ford’s sleek lines and fitted suits complement the character well.
A Bigger Splash (2015) | Raf Simons
A Bigger Splash is a psychological drama set in Siciliy and is another collaboration between actress Tilda Swinton and Raf Simons, who designed her costumes for the film. Swinton plays a rockstar who has few speaking lines, which leaves her wardrobe to communicate much about her. With sleek lines and a neutral colour palette, Swinton’s character in A Bigger Splash is easily one best-dressed movie characters of late.
Elvis (2022) | Miuccia Prada
Baz Luhrmann’s upcoming Elvis biopic stars actor Austin Butler and actress Olivia DeJonge, who portray Elvis and Priscilla Presley. The actors are dressed by Miuccia Prada in the film, extending Luhrmann and Prada’s rich history with one another.
