1. The September Issue

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The September Issue has to be one of the most popular and most hyped fashion documentaries to date. This film gives us a behind the scenes look at Vogue magazine as they prepare for the September 2007 issue. We’re given one-on-one time with the notoriously icy Anna Wintour, as well as being introduced to more colourful characters like Grace Coddington and André Leon Talley. If you’ve ever wanted to know what goes into the making of a magazine, this is the documentary to watch.

2. Diana Vreeland: the Eye Has to Travel

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Diana Vreeland was one of the more eccentric characters in the fashion industry. But she was also hands-down one of the most influential magazine editors. This film takes a look at her extraordinary life and what she contributed to the fashion industry. From her work at Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue through to her time at the Metropolitan Museum’s Costume Institute, you’ll be amazed by what this woman achieved in her lifetime.

3. Bill Cunningham New York

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If you’ve never heard of Bill Cunningham before, this documentary is a good place to start. It tells the story of the New York Times photographer and his important role in street style photography. He is, without a doubt, the original street style photographer (and some would argue the best). This documentary gives us a rare glimpse into the life of Bill Cunningham, as well as interviews with various fashion figures discussing what he brings to the industry.

4. Valentino: the Last Emperor

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This film offers us an insight into the life of legendary fashion designer Valentino Garavani. It’s set in the wake of his exit from the company he founded over four decades earlier and features fly-on-the-wall type footage. The film gives us an intimate look into the life of the man behind the Valentino label as well as touching on issues affecting the fashion business today.

5. Lagerfeld Confidential

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With his shock white ponytail, Karl Lagerfeld is an easily recognisable icon of the fashion industry. Using candid shots of his everyday life and interview footage, this documentary aims to give us a better insight into the life of the often private designer. This film is in French but you can get versions with English subtitles as well.

6. Marc Jacobs & Louis Vuitton

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As the name of the film suggests, this documentary takes a look at designer Marc Jacobs and his work at both Louis Vuitton and his own namesake label. Audiences are taken through the creative process as well as being treated to footage of meetings with many famous artists and collaborators. This film doesn’t seem to be available on iTunes, but you can get it on Netflix or watch snippets on YouTube.

7. Seamless

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Previous documentaries on this list have looked at the lives of fairly iconic fashion industry insiders. In Seamless, however, we’re given a look into what it’s like to be an up-and-coming designer in the industry today. The film follows three young designers as they compete to win the Vogue and Council of Fashion Designers of America prize.

Whether it’s what goes on in the hallowed halls of Vogue or an insight into the life of designers, these documentaries certainly give us the bigger picture behind the fashion industry. They also show us that sometimes it’s not always glitz and glamour. What fashion documentaries do you recommend watching?