Australian photographer Jess Brohier shares her top five fashion films that aren’t ‘The Devil Wears Prada’

“The punk rock era of ’70s London was a cool backdrop for understanding the amalgamation of Cruella’s aesthetic.”

Costume design in film is sometimes overlooked, but as any fashion and film aficionado knows, it’s integral to storytelling and character development. Moreover, it has an undeniable impact on the cultural cachet a film holds (would Blue Crush be as beloved if it didn’t so perfectly capture the surfer girl aesthetic we were all mad for in the early 2000s?).

When we asked Melbourne designer Emily Nolan to share her favourite fashion films in 2021 she summed it up perfectly, telling us “Fashion films are my preferred escape vehicle… but what constitutes a great fashion film is more than just a secretive glimpse into the inner workings of the industry, fictionalised or not. To me, a great fashion film is any that uses clothing as the protagonist.”

For more fashion news, shoots, articles and features, head to our Fashion section.

Hungry for more fashion film recommendations, we reached out to Melbourne-based photographer and creative director Jess Brohier. Below, she shares the fashion-centric films that have impacted her the most.

Factory Girl

This was one of the first movies I watched as a teen. I was obsessed with the rise and fall of Edie Sedgwick and her effortlessly cool outfits and this was the beginning of my love affair with New York City. An interesting retelling of a time when so many art, culture and fashion icons were coming into the limelight.

Watch it here.

Clueless

I can remember watching this movie back to back at least three times with my cousins when I was in primary school. The ’90s punk chic cool girl mix of cute outfits for various body types and skin colours was a gateway into my interest in fashion. Taking polaroids of your outfits instead of looking in the mirror – expensive but kind of hits.

Watch it here.

Cruella

Growing up on 101 Dalmatians this one definitely made me curious. The punk rock era of ’70s London was a cool backdrop for understanding the amalgamation of Cruella’s aesthetic. I love Emma Stone and the haute couture designer workshop mixed in with fantasy is definitely worth a watch if you’re into that kind of thing.

Watch it here.

Pulp Fiction

I’ve always been obsessed with Mia and her monochrome outfits. So simple and yet so chic – giving less is more.

Watch it here.

10 Things I Hate About You

Kat wins hands down for misunderstood angry teen girl with a super cool IDGAF wardrobe that still works today. A little red hot for modern cultural appropriation but I still think about those platform geisha shoes she wore. And Heath Ledger.

Watch it here.

Jess Brohier is a Melbourne-based photographer and creative director. You can browse her work here.