Fashion Documentaries ... On Netflix?!

When I think of Netflix, I think of the service having television shows and movies that are too old to be called recent and too recent to be called old. In other words, I deemed Netflix as a waste of time, because I already saw those movies on HBO or Cinemax. As for television shows, I do not care for most of them, let alone have the time to sit down and watch them at university. 

It was not until the past few days that I really sat down and explored Netflix's potential. I already knew Netflix had The September Issue, the documentary of publishing Vogue's famous style bible, hundreds of pages dictating the latest trends and styles for the year. That was released in 2006.

Finding Bill Cunningham New York, released September 2010, surprised me.

I lost my mind when I saw how many cool fashion-related movies and shows were on Netflix. When did this happen? #MindBlown

For the past few days, I have sat in front of the television watching documentaries and a wonderful new television show.  Below, I compiled a list of  what I have watched and also put on the "Instant Queue." I plan on trying to do a full on review for each component, but a brief summary will suffice for now.

1. Bill Cunningham New York- see film review

Source: refinery29.com via Jordan on Pinterest

2. Valentino: The Last Emperor- The last couturier of the century and the father of haute couture in Italy, Valentino Garavani is passionate, genius, and intense. The film follows Garavani and his business partner Giancarlo Giammetti while planning Valentino's 45th anniversary in fashion and dealing with corporate outsiders buying out Valentino, s.p.A.

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3. L'Amour Fou- The French film tells the story of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berge and how they grew to create the beauty of the YSL brand. 

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4. Starz Inside: Fashion in Film- Starz created an informative bit about the influence of fashion and film and Hollywood has shaped our culture. Featuring a few actresses and costume designers who understand the relationship between fashion and film include Malin Akerman of 27 Dresses (2008); Amanda Bynes of She's The Man (2006); Sharen Davis, costume designer for The Pursuit of Happyness (2006); and Patricia Field, costume designer for Sex and the City (2008).

5. All On the Line with Joe Zee- Zee, creative director for Elle magazine, helps designers hit it big by guiding them to improve their business. If you love the business side of fashion, you will definitely want to watch this show.

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Bill Cunningham New York

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Year Released: 2010
Genre: Documentary
Director: Richard Press
Features: Bill Cunningham, Anna Wintour, Michael Kors, Tom Wolfe, and everyone else important in the fashion world

Bill Cunningham New York follows The New York Times Styles photographer around doing his daily routine-- riding on his bicycle on Fifth Avenue capturing his subjects, sitting in the Times office placing the photographs for the Sunday Styles, and organizing his negatives in the many file cabinets in his Carnegie Hall studio apartment.

Cunningham is a saint, a philosopher, and above all, a communicator.

I hesitate to describe Cunningham as an artist, because what he stands for is beyond the beautiful photographs of the city's street style. He is a controlled fixture in a society that engorges itself in excess. He attends charity galas, but does not accept a meal or a drink or even a glass of water. He lives in the center of the world, but he enjoys his small, yet cozy, loft in Carnegie Hall riding his bicycle. He could demand a much higher paycheck, but prefers to live simply and modestly.

Cunningham's simplicity and honest approach towards life is something we can all learn from. It amazes me that a man so involved with the material world, documenting fashion trends on the street, detaches himself from those bodily pleasures. Unlike the luxurious coats he has photographed, he does not own one himself. He loves his inexpensive blue poncho that can be mended with duct tape. He does not care for fine dining, let alone eating. He claims to not have any romantic relationships.

I have come to the conclusion that certain aspects of Cunningham make him the perfect subject of a philosophic examination. Cunningham is above the pettiness of celebrity dramas. His honesty empowers him because it shows his strength in his abilities and makes him honorable. His simple way of life demonstrates his true passion for life and appreciating its beauty. Most importantly, Cunningham is genuinely content with his way of life. Realizing that happiness is life's ultimate goal, Cunningham is willing to chase his happiness instead of consuming himself with worries over health, wealth, and security.

For those of you who are more well versed in philosophy, I am more than aware I have clearly distorted Plato, Aristotle, and Machiavelli, but you must recognize that Cunningham embodies some of these teachings of selflessness, silent strength, simplicity, and satisfaction with life.

For more on Bill Cunningham and his work with The New York Times, click here.