With the Academy Awards drawing near, I posted a Facebook query to name films that have affected fashion. The results told me that, like everyone else in the world, we draw inspiration and, yes, sometimes even fashion trends from film.
Doing a little research, I found that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences started handing out statuettes for costume design back in 1949. When we think of costumes, we sometimes forget that clothing tells us about who that character is as well as what he or she looks like. It is so much like choosing how we’ll present ourselves on a daily basis. That got me thinking about what films affected my own views on fashion as well as excited and inspired me. I decided to see how many films that I love were actually nominated for an Academy Award for costume design. Upon reflection, I now present to you my top 20 along with why those films should be seen by any serious (or wannabe) fashionista!
All About Eve, 1950. A fading star, Bette Davis, threatened by a wily ingénue, sets the style with her bateau black satin cocktail dress. Winners: Edith Head and Charles LeMaire.
An American in Paris, 1951. Gene Kelly, wearing manly dancing clothes, Leslie Caron in fabulous frocks and Technicolor. Winners: Orry-Kelly, Walter Plunkett, Irene Sharaff.
A Place in the Sun, 1951. Elizabeth Taylor is the most beautiful she ever was in a stunning white strapless dress that created a frenzy in the stores. Montgomery Clift ain’t bad either. Winner: Edith Head.
A Streetcar Named Desire, 1951. Marlon Brando made the white T-shirt, jeans and beer drinking sexy. Nominated: Lucinda Ballard.
Moulin Rouge, 1952. Zsa Zsa Gabor in over-the-top, Parisian-inspired couture. Winner: Marcel Vertes.
The Bad and the Beautiful, 1952. Lana Turner has a nervous breakdown in a huge white fox gown. Winner: Helen Rose.
Roman Holiday, 1953. Audrey Hepburn in love, looking wonderful. Winner: Edith Head.
To Catch A Thief, 1955. Grace Kelly and Cary Grant in love and in fashion. Nominated: Edith Head.
Funny Face, 1957. Before America’s Next Top Model was this tale of dowdy to glam with Audrey Hepburn wearing Givenchy and doing strenuous photo shoots and fashion shows! Although her affair with Fred 
Astaire is a little creepy, this is an absolute must. Nominated: Edith Head, Hubert de Givenchy.
Gigi, 1957. Leslie Caron wears turn-of-the-century frocks delightfully. Winner: Cecil Beaton.
Some Like It Hot, 1960. Marilyn in a nearly nude and black-beaded dress singing, “I want to be loved by you” is not to be missed. With Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis in semi-believable drag! Winner: Orry-Kelly.
West Side Story, 1961. Urban grit and gang wear never looked so good. Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno and George Chakiris rock Manhattan. Winner: Irene Sharaff.
La dolce vita, 1960. Anita Ekberg’s gravity-defying black strapless dress created a sensual sensation. Watch for the fountain scene. 
Winner: Piero Gherardi.
Bonnie and Clyde, 1967. Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty do the Depression-era looks proud and create new trends for berets and cardigans. Nominated: Theodora Van Runkle.
Lady Sings the Blues, 1972. Diana Ross as Billie Holiday in this glamorized bio pic. Cheesy and fantastic at the same time! With Richard Pryor and Billy Dee Williams. Nominated: Bob Mackie, Ray Aghayan, Norma Koch.
The Great Gatsby, 1974. Robert Redford immortalized the suave 1920s man. Mia Farrow suffers in drop-waisted dresses. Winner: Theoni V. Aldredge.
The Last Emperor, 1987. Asian beauty and culture on display with all the bold pageantry and color of the period. Inspirational for sure. 
Winner: James Acheson.
Velvet Goldmine, 1998. Glam rock in all its incarnations with Christian Bale, Ewan McGregor and Jonathan Rhys Myers wearing makeup and making out. Nominated: Sandy Powell.
Moulin Rouge, 2001. The second version of this tale with fantastic musical numbers. Nicole Kidman before too much botox with Ewan McGregor. Winners: Catherine Martin, Angus Strathie.
The Devil Wears Prada, 2007. Designers and more designers with fashion we’ve come to love, and Meryl 
Streep looking great for a change! A frump-to-fabulous story for the ages. Nominated for coordinating the frocks is Patricia Field.
If you are a serious fashion lover, check out these iconic films. They may help you understand just how much impact what we wear has on those who see it! It is amazing how you can recall a moment captured on film whether it be good or bad. Let me know what some of your favorites are and why in the comments.
The film world also encompasses the excitement of seeing stars on the red carpet arriving for the big ceremony in Los Angeles, wearing designer creations that their stylists, or in some cases they themselves, have put together. It’s a hit-and-miss proposition at best, but who doesn’t like to cheer or jeer as we judge their ensembles?
Until next time people, stay fashionable!
Check out my appearance after the Academy Awards to dish celebrity dresses a la "Fashion Police" on WTMJ’s "Morning Blend" Monday, March 8th!
