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Coco Avant Chanel (2009)
Photo from The Reluctant Stylista
There are few, if any, people who can stake a claim so prominently as a fashion icon as Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel—known to the world simply as Chanel. The name that has become a powerful brand throughout time instantly recalls the most fashionable, sophisticated and elegant clothing now, but there had been a time when Chanel struggled to establish this aesthetic during an era that fancied the excess. The movie, translated as “Coco Before Chanel”, tells the story of the woman before her brand became what it is now, nearing a century after it was established.
Audrey Tautou plays Coco Chanel, and she was featured in clothes which the French icon made famous: the little black dress, the drop waist and the simple yet elegant silhouettes that got rid of the corsets and excessive plumage of the previous eras. These are styles that have endured trends over the years and have undeniably been made classic. Many ideas of modern chic were actually derived from Chanel’s approach to fashion.
Sex and the City (2008)
The TV series Sex and the City burst into the scene in 1998, and turned many heads in awe and approval of its trend-setting fashion. Lauded for its frank depiction of the modern woman and her views on dating and sexuality, it quickly became a hit and spawned a strong following that pushed the production of a movie—four years later after it aired its last episode in 2004. The highly-anticipated second installment is already set to be released this year.
The movie’s fashion isn’t just plain fabulous—it’s also quite diverse due to its four main characters having their own distinct styles:
Carrie Bradshaw (played by Sarah Jessica Parker) is the narrator, and it is mostly from her point of view that every story unfolds. She’s always dressed in unique yet feminine and sophisticated frocks and in her favorite Manolo Blahnik heels. Her character inspired a trend for tulle skirts and big, floral accents in early 2000.
Samantha Jones (played by Kim Catrall) is the power woman of the group—an intelligent businesswoman who works in PR. She is independent, sexually aggressive, confident and outspoken. Her style is usually sexy and daring, much like her character.
Charlotte York (played by Kristin Davis) is every bit the romantic—while her friends exhibit a more liberal view on sex and dating, she embraces a more traditional outlook on love, relationships and marriage. She is also a feminine dresser, but while Carrie chooses outfits with a bit of an edge that is characteristically New York, Charlotte is more classic and sweet, which fits her somewhat conventional attitude.
Lastly, there is Miranda Hobbes (played by Cynthia Nixon)—a hard-nosed, workaholic lawyer who is almost masculine in her mindset, manner and more cynical view on relationships. Her look is more functional, yet always stylish, elegant and impeccable.
The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
Meryl Streep redefined the big bad boss persona in this fashionista's dream of a movie. The original novel gathered many inevitable comparisons to US Vogue's editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, as being the real inspiration for the fictitious Runway magazine's EIC Miranda Priestly. Knowing this, Streep forged on, successfully crafting the role as the one of the most memorable villainous bosses on film. Her take on Miranda Priestly was quietly unnerving; her simple gestures, icy sarcasm and pursing of the lips could break a less formidable designer or assistant. Her signature look is the silvery white-blonde hair, classic ensembles, rich coats and of course, the ever-present Prada heels.
Anne Hathaway plays Andrea Sachs, a new graduate of Northwestern University with journalistic aspirations. Getting frustrated with job hunting, she unwittingly lands an interview with Runway Magazine, ignorant of its status as the Holy Grail of everyone and everything related to fashion. While she initially started with clothes that had her coworkers sniggering behind her back or turning away from her in disgust, she eventually gets the hang of working for a fashion magazine. Her style adjusts with her learning curve; halfway through the movie, she gets a sense of what to put together on her own and dons drool-worthy labels and couture.
Meanwhile, Emily Blunt plays the condescending and catty senior assistant Emily Chalton. In contrast to Andy's textbook style, Emily is always chic and her clothes are put together more creatively.
Chicago (2002)
Though most of the movies featured so far were placed in a more modern, contemporary setting, this brassy film is one exception we’re willing to make. Putting the “Chic” in Chicago, the stellar cast includes Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma Kelly, Renee Zellweger as Roxie Hart and Richard Gere as Billy Flynn. The jazz age had never looked more enthralling with the roaring twenties fads: razor sharp bobs and stylized curls, sequins, feathers, flapper dresses, suit jackets and homburgs.
Clueless (1995)
Before Gossip Girl inspired the more recent private schoolgirl fashion mania, there was Cher Horowitz of Clueless, who made “Whatever!” and “As if!” famous catchphrases in the 90s (which is actually still lingering well into the next decade). The movie Clueless was such a big hit that it inspired a series of novels and a TV show with the same title and characters. Alicia Silverstone plays the spoiled, rich, Beverly Hills high school girl with the charms to match her sweetness and naiveté. Together with her friends Dione (Stacey Dash) and Tai (the late Brittany Murphy in her first major film role), they parade around the school in the best of 90s chic that has recently made a comeback: knee high hosiery, hairbands, babydoll dresses, sexy minis, blazers, vests and fun plaids.
Photos of Sex and the City, The Devil Wears Prada, and Chicagoare from All Movie Photo. Photo of Clueless from Star Pulse.
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