Top 10 Most Iconic Fashion-Inspiring Movies

The Devil Wears Prada (2006) is an American comedy-drama based on the 2003 novel by Lauren Weisberger. The film follows Andrea Sachs (Anne Hathaway), a recent college graduate who lands a job as an assistant to Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), a powerful fashion magazine editor in New York City. Andrea works alongside Emily Charlton (Emily Blunt), Miranda’s senior assistant, and Nigel (Stanley Tucci), the magazine’s art director. The film, directed by David Frankel and produced by Wendy Finerman, was released by 20th Century Fox. While the film's fashion world setting led to many designers avoiding direct involvement for fear of angering Vogue's Anna Wintour—believed to be the inspiration for Miranda Priestly—several contributed clothing and accessories. This made the film one of the most fashion-forward productions in history. Wintour later commented that she admired Streep's performance and the film as a whole.

The film was a huge success, grossing over $300 million globally, and became one of the top films of 2006. It also led the box office in North America during the summer and maintained strong international earnings through October. The DVD release topped the charts in December. The movie was included in the “Top 20 Movies of 2006” list both in the U.S. and abroad.

Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009) is a romantic comedy based on Sophie Kinsella's best-selling novel, Shopaholic. Directed by P. J. Hogan, the film stars Isla Fisher and Hugh Dancy. It premiered in the U.S. on February 13, 2009, and in Vietnam on April 17, 2009.

The film follows Rebecca Bloomwood (Isla Fisher), an aspiring writer for the prestigious fashion magazine Alette. While waiting for her dream job, Rebecca works for a small magazine writing gardening articles but is obsessed with shopping. She frequently indulges in shopping sprees at high-end stores, amassing debt exceeding $9,000, which she cannot afford to pay back. Despite numerous warnings from her friends, Rebecca remains unaware of the consequences of her shopping addiction.

Living with her best friend, Rebecca's bedroom is filled with clothes and shoes, most of which remain unused. As Rebecca struggles to pay off her debts, she loses her job. In a desperate attempt to earn money, she applies for a job at a fashion magazine, only to end up working at the financial magazine Successful Savings. Her boss, Luke Brandon (Hugh Dancy), is a numbers man, but with his help, Rebecca is able to write an impressive article about credit cards. Her success leads to further recognition, and soon, Rebecca is invited to appear on a TV talk show, sparking a potential career breakthrough.

Sex and the City: The Movie (2008) is a romantic comedy directed and written by Michael Patrick King. It serves as a continuation of the iconic HBO television series that aired from 1998 to 2004, which was based on Candace Bushnell's novel. The story follows four women—Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker), Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall), Charlotte York Goldenblatt (Kristin Davis), and Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon)—as they face the ups and downs of single life in New York City. The film premiered in Ho Chi Minh City on June 27, 2008.

Though the characters are in their 40s, their fashion-forward styles continue to captivate millions of women around the world. The movie reflects a time of economic uncertainty in the U.S., yet the glamorous wardrobes of the characters seem unaffected by the crisis. High-end designer outfits, carefully accessorized, inspired women to dream of a future where they too could be as successful and fashionable. Additionally, the film played a major role in the surge of popularity for Manolo Blahnik's iconic Hangisi shoes.

American Hustle (2013) is a darkly comedic crime film directed by David O. Russell, inspired by the real-life ABSCAM FBI operation of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Written by Eric Warren Singer and David O. Russell, the film stars Christian Bale and Amy Adams as two con artists who are coerced into working with an FBI agent (Bradley Cooper) to expose a massive political corruption scheme involving figures like the mayor of Camden, New Jersey (Jeremy Renner). Jennifer Lawrence plays Bale's character's wife.

Drawing inspiration from the shocking ABSCAM scandal, American Hustle explores the lives of scheming, rebellious characters. While the film didn't win any Oscars in 2014, it excelled in recreating the extravagant fashion of the 1970s. The film showcases free-spirited, sometimes rebellious attitudes through a mix of backless dresses, plunging necklines, flamboyant bell-bottom suits, and men styling their hair in carefree ways.

Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014) is a British action spy film directed by Matthew Vaughn, based on the comic book series *The Secret Service* by Dave Gibbons and Mark Millar. The screenplay, written by Vaughn and Jane Goldman, follows the journey of Gary 'Eggsy' Unwin (Taron Egerton), a young man recruited into a secret spy organization. Eggsy is thrust into a mission to thwart a global threat posed by the eccentric billionaire Richmond Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson). The film also stars Colin Firth, Mark Strong, and Michael Caine.

Matthew Vaughn worked closely with costume designer Arianne Phillips and the luxury menswear brand Mr. Porter to create exquisite bespoke suits for the characters. The film’s tailoring shop was also designed to mirror the stylish aesthetics of this renowned brand, adding a touch of sophistication to the espionage world depicted on screen.

Marie Antoinette (2006) is a historical drama directed and written by Sofia Coppola, based on the life of the infamous French queen, portrayed by Kirsten Dunst, during the years leading up to the French Revolution. The film won the Academy Award for Best Costume Design.

As the Queen of France, Marie Antoinette became synonymous with luxurious fashion, creating an empire of extravagant dresses, corsets, and voluminous skirts. Centuries later, the youth were able to admire her iconic style through the film, released in 2006.

Marie Antoinette's fashion was always drenched in soft pastel tones, sweet yet seductive, much like the pastries she was known to love.

Alice in Wonderland (2010) is a visually stunning and dark fantasy film directed by Tim Burton, based on the classic tales of Lewis Carroll, 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' and 'Through the Looking-Glass.' The screenplay, penned by Linda Woolverton, features an all-star cast including Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Crispin Glover, Matt Lucas, and Mia Wasikowska, along with voice performances from Alan Rickman, Stephen Fry, Michael Sheen, and Timothy Spall. The movie follows the journey of Alice Kingsleigh, a 19-year-old girl who is destined to restore the White Queen to her throne with the help of the Mad Hatter. She is the only one capable of defeating the fearsome Jabberwocky, a dragon-like creature controlled by the Red Queen, who uses it to terrorize the land of Underland. Alice and the Mad Hatter must face off against the Red Queen to save their world.

Over the course of the film's 108-minute runtime, Alice’s wardrobe evolves, providing a visual feast for fashion enthusiasts. From aristocratic Victorian outfits to a stunning ball gown that reveals her shoulders, to a fiery red dress, Alice’s changing attire captures attention. The extravagant designs of the Red Queen and White Queen have also sparked inspiration for makeup artists and fashion lovers alike.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015) is a stylish action-comedy film directed by Guy Ritchie, featuring a star-studded cast including Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Elizabeth Debicki, Alicia Vikander, and Hugh Grant. The film premiered on August 7, 2015, in London with a production budget of $75 million.

With its hilarious performances, chic music, and high-end fashion, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. stands out as a top choice for those seeking pure entertainment. The movie's charm isn't just from its suave spies but also from the irresistible fashion spectacle of the 1960s, designed by Joanna Johnston. Throughout the film, we see a revival of sophisticated yet seductive column dresses, bold Pop-Art dresses, boxy coats, A-line skirts, round-framed glasses, and oversized, glittering jewelry – all elements that bring the dynamic and free-spirited 1960s to life.

Cinderella (2015) is a romantic fantasy film directed by Kenneth Branagh, based on a screenplay by Chris Weitz. Produced by David Barron, Simon Kinberg, and Allison Shearmur for Walt Disney Pictures, the film takes inspiration from the classic fairy tale 'Cinderella' by Charles Perrault, with character names derived from the 1950 animated film by Walt Disney Animation Studios. The movie was released on March 13, 2015, in both the U.S. and Vietnam.

Sandy Powell, a designer who has been nominated for 10 Oscars and won 3, crafted a haute couture world with a 1940s-1950s vibe for the characters in the film. She brilliantly recreated Cinderella's iconic blue gown while also perfectly embodying the wicked personalities of the stepmother and her two daughters through their extravagant outfits. While Cinderella’s gentle character is tied to the elegant blue dress, her stepsisters Drizella and Anastasia are dressed in eye-catching pink and orange, while Cate Blanchett’s stepmother wears elaborate green gowns symbolizing envy.

The Great Gatsby (2013) is a visually stunning 3D drama film from Australia and the U.S., based on the 1925 novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Directed and written by Baz Luhrmann, the movie stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton, and Elizabeth Debicki. The film explores the extravagant life of millionaire Jay Gatsby, narrated by his neighbor Nick Carraway in the autobiographical context of the Roaring Twenties. Initially set to be released on December 25, 2012, the movie’s debut was delayed until May 10, 2013, in 3D format. While the film received mixed reviews from critics, it was a massive success with audiences, even receiving praise from the family of F. Scott Fitzgerald, who said, "Scott would surely be proud." By 2014, the film grossed over $350 million worldwide, and at the 86th Academy Awards, it won two Oscars for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design.

The Great Gatsby revived the glamorous style of the 1920s, featuring low-waisted dresses, bobbed hair adorned with feathers, and an array of sparkling jewelry worn by the film’s leading ladies.