Movies and TV shows with iconic fashion moments 

Ruhi Gilder 

The big four fashion weeks around the world, New York, London, Milan, and Paris, completed their Fall/Winter ‘22 showcases this week. For those suffering from fashion withdrawal, here’s a list of legendary movies and films that hit the screens with great fanfare and went down in the hall of fame for their exceptional styling.  

Aisha  

Adapted loosely from Jane Austen’s Emma, Aisha stars Bollywood’s very own style icon, Sonam Kapoor. Portraying the lives of Delhi’s super rich, Aisha is a character that wears Chanel, Ferragamo and Dior, as well as Anamika Khanna. She exuded Gossip Girl vibes with her headband and vintage Chanel tweed suit and turned heads in a Christian Lacroix peplum dress. Released in 2010, the film also stars the adorable Abhay Deol in a lead role, whose love story with Kapoor in the movie is swoon worthy.  

Watch on Disney + Hotstar 

Bridgerton  

As the world eagerly awaits Netflix’s release of Bridgerton season 2, re-watch season 1 to dissect all the elegant Regency-era fashion looks in the series. Every ball, as well as dance scene in the show displays one decadent gown and dapper waistcoat after another. It is reported that fashion search platform Lyst, in January 2021, saw skyrocketing searches for corsets, pearl and feather headbands, long gloves and empire line dresses thanks to the show. Bridgerton’s costume designer Ellen Mirojnick is said to have designed and produced 7,500 looks for the series’ first season only. Lead character of season 1, Daphne, played by Phoebe Dynevor, wore the most coveted outfits in the show, embedded with shimmering jewels, subtle embroidery and straight, simple silhouettes. Dive into the lives of the noble Bridgerton family, adapted from author Julia Quinn’s collection of eight novels of the same name.  

Watch on Netflix 

Clueless  

The most iconic of all Clueless outfits was the yellow plaid coord set designed by Dolce & Gabbana that Cher (Alicia Silverstone) wore at the beginning of the film. The looks in this cult ‘90s teen film still hold value today. Representing wealthy American teenagers living in Beverly Hills, Clueless is also loosely based on Jane Austen’s novel Emma. From the protagonist’s strappy red slip dress by Alaïa, to argyle skirts, crop top and mini-skirt combos, the movie is a treasure trove of inspiration for fashionistas.  

Watch on Google Play / Apple TV + / YouTube 

Dostana  

Remember the iconic gold-sequinned swimsuit in which Priyanka Chopra-Jonas steps out of Miami’s ocean? Or her metallic saree that stole hearts back in 2008 and contributed to her being the OG Desi Girl? Designed by the one-and-only Manish Malhotra, Dostana featured some memorable looks in the form of bikini tops, halter necks, crop tops with high-waisted shorts, and short minidresses. Stream this one for the addictive soundtrack, and star cast of Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham and of course, Priyanka Chopra-Jonas. 

Watch on Netflix 

Dynasty  

For fashion looks that scream luxury and couture, watch CW’s Dynasty. The 2017 TV series is a remake of the 1981 series of the same name, and follows the lives of two fictional, rich American families. Expect a strong dose of family drama and politics alongside a wardrobe of Saint Laurent, Dolce & Gabbana silk suits, Michael Kors’ LBDs, Gucci’s leather jackets, and Oscar de la Renta’s metallic lamé kaftan.  

Watch on Netflix 

Emily in Paris  

Emily in Paris released in 2020, when leisure time was plenty, and instantly became an internet sensation for its fashion that became one of the talking points of the show. While the wardrobe of Emily was enviable for some, others hotly contested some of the styling. Curated by Patricia Field, the costume designer of the hit TV series Sex and the City, everything was a designer name, and Emily, played by Lilly Collins walked on Parisian cobblestones in the red soles of Christian Louboutin. The cast wears chic Balmain blazers, Isabel Marant and Dolce & Gabbana dresses, YSL jackets, and vintage Hermès.  

Watch on Netflix 

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham  

P.H.A.T, pretty, hot and tempting, is what all the outfits look like in this Karan Johar directed magnum opus. Every single outfit worn by Kareena Kapoor went on to become a rage, as did her iconic character Poo. The pale pink sharara in Bole Chudiyan, the red-hot crop top and matching leather flared pants in You Are My Soniya, as well as her opening scene ensemble of sequinned asymmetrical hem crop top and mini skirt inspired many girls who came of age in the 2000s. Watch K3G for the visual and emotional delight that it is, as well as the fabulous performances by its legendary cast of SRK, Kajol, Kareena Kapoor, Hrithik Roshan, Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan.  

Watch on Netflix 

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai  

Trust Karan Johar to launch his career with a film that would go on to showcase some of the most iconic styling. Shah Rukh Khan’s t-shirts singlehandedly started a Ralph Lauren craze in the country. Rani Mukherji’s miniskirt and crop top co-ord combinations went down in film fashion archives. Manish Malhotra’s genius shone through in the treatment of the casual athleisure looks, Kajol’s iconic red saree and patchwork lehenga. The movie and its fashion will go down as one for the ages. 

Watch on Netflix 

The Bold Type 

Three best friends navigate their lives, relationships, and careers at a Cosmopolitan-esque magazine in the heart of New York. Working for a magazine means that the cast’s outfits must be top-notch, and in The Bold Type, they are. Relatable yet undeniably chic, Sutton, Kat and Jane work their style magic at glamorous work functions, on the streets of NYC, or while walking the halls of their workplace, Scarlet magazine. This show also gets bonus points for the jaw-dropping fashion closet at their office, from which the girls regularly borrow high-end designer outfits.  

Watch on Netflix 

The Devil Wears Prada  

A film set in the hallowed halls of Vogue; The Devil Wears Prada is the wildly popular adaptation of Laura Weisberger’s novel of the same name. The film stars Meryl Streep as a powerful magazine editor, her character is reportedly based on that of real-life editor of Vogue, Anna Wintour, while her assistant is played by Anne Hathway. The clothes used in the film were a mix of Valentino, Chanel, Vivienne Westwood, Dolce & Gabbana, and Calvin Klein. Watch the fashion-forward film for Andy’s (Emily Blunt) edgy looks that went on to become quite popular.  

Watch on Disney + Hotstar 

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