“Phantom Thread”, 2017
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, this film is set in the glamour of 1950s post-war London. It follows Reynolds Woodcock, a renowned dressmaker whose life becomes disrupted by his love for a young, strong-willed woman. The film explores the intricate details of haute couture and the complex relationship between the creator and his muse.
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Vicky Krieps, Lesley Manville, Camilla Rutherford, Gina McKee, George Glasgow, Briain Gleeson, Harriet Sansom Harris, Lujza Richter, Julia Davis;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 130 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Phantom Thread” on the website imdb.com
“The Dressmaker”, 2015
Director: Jocelyn Moorhouse
Starring Kate Winslet, this film is set in 1950s Australia and revolves around Myrtle “Tilly” Dunnage, who returns to her rural hometown to care for her ailing mother. An accomplished dressmaker, Tilly begins to transform the women of the town with her exquisite creations, all while seeking revenge on those who wronged her in the past.
Starring: Kate Winslet, Judy Davis, Liam Hemsworth, Hugo Weaving, Julia Blake, Shane Bourne, Kerry Fox, Rebecca Gibney, Caroline Goodall, Gyton Grantley;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: drama, comedy, western;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 119 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
“Yves Saint Laurent”, 2013
Director: Jalil Lespert
This is a biopic of the famous French designer Yves Saint Laurent, covering the years from his early career at Dior in 1958 through to the height of his own fashion empire. The film delves into his personal and professional struggles, as well as his relationship with his business partner and lover, Pierre Bergé.
Starring: Pierre Niney, Guillaume Gallienne, Charlotte Le Bon, Laura Smet, Marie de Villepin, Nikolai Kinski, Ruben Alves, Astrid Whetnall, Marianne Basler, Jean-Édouard Bodziak;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: drama, melodrama, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 105 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,2;
More information about the film “Yves Saint Laurent” on the website imdb.com
“A Stitch in Time”, 1963
Director: Robert Asher
A lesser-known British film that combines comedy and drama, revolving around an apprentice dressmaker in the 19th century who is sent forward in time to the 20th century. The film creatively explores the evolution of fashion and dressmaking through a time-traveling narrative.
Starring: Norman Wisdom, Edward Chapman, Jeanette Sterke, Jerry Desmonde, Jill Melford, Glyn Houston, Hazel Hughes, Patsy Rowlands, Peter Jones, Ernest Clark;
Production year: 1963;
Genre: comedy;
MPAA rating: g;
Duration: 89 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,9;
More information about the film “A Stitch in Time” on the website imdb.com
These films, each in their own unique way, showcase the artistry and personal stories behind dressmaking, making them captivating for anyone interested in fashion, creativity, and the power of transformation through clothing.
In conclusion, films about dressmaking not only unravel the artistry and intricate details involved in this craft but also weave narratives that dive deep into individual passions, identity, societal norms, and fashion revolution. They are a sublime mix of aesthetics and narrative storytelling, encapsulating the drama, beauty, and often the romanticized vision of couture. With films like Phantom Thread, Coco Before Chanel, and Dior and I, viewers are elegantly ushered into a world interlaced with high fashion drama, the quiet diligence of craftsmanship, and the powerful influence of style as an articulation of one's self. Hence, these films, while underlining the magic of dressmaking, offer audiences more than just a feast for the eyes, but an intimate understanding of an often overlooked art form.
