MOVIES THAT INSPIRED ENTIRE COLLECTIONS

Not only ordinary spectators like us enjoy watching famous old movies while immersing ourselves in them. Which woman hasn’t dreamt of having her breakfast at Tiffany’s? And who hasn’t looked for Rose’s heart necklace while swimming in the ocean after watching Titanic? Movies inspire and influence not only the common viewer, but also numerous fashion designers and their unique collections. All of fashion’s biggest players, such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Salvatore Ferragamo, have included a movie scene on their mood board at least once – now, in the context of the home isolation and lockdown, even more so than before. With fashion shows increasingly taking place online, many fashion houses have not only started including movie scenes in their showcases, but also basing their entire collections on specific films, no matter how old, experimental, or eccentric the films are.

LOUIS VUITTON: “WINGS OF DESIRE” (1987)

Surprisingly, even after 30 years from its release, “Wings of Desire” remains the most recognizable work of the German filmmaker Wim Wenders. References to the film can be found in Luc Besson’s “Angel-A”, or in Terrence Malick’s “The Tree of Life”, amongst many others. Louis Vuitton creative director Nicolas Ghesquière took inspiration precisely from this movie when creating his Summer 2021 collection, even showcasing the film’s scenes during the live fashion show while models were strutting down the runway. In a nod to the “Wings of Desire”, some of Ghesquière’s silhouettes were reminiscent of the 1980s’ fashion: the collection includes long raincoats, oversized jackets, and wide-leg trousers.

CHANEL: “THE SWIMMING POOL” (1969), “BREATHLESS” (1960), “PIERROT LE FOU” (1965), and “ELEVATOR TO THE GALLOWS” (1957)

For its Spring/Summer 2021 collection Chanel presented quite a flashy and fascinating show. Inspired by nothing else but Hollywood, creative director Virginie Viard made it a prerequisite to bring Hollywood to France – from a Hollywood-like Chanel sign towering over the catwalk to cinematographic collection pieces, varying from ruffles on collars from Anna Karina’s “Pierrot le Fou” and snow white clothes from Romy Schneider’s “The Swimming Pool” to the jacket with edge piping resembling Jeanne Moreau’s “The Elevator to the Gallows”.

SALVATORE FERRAGAMO: “ VERTIGO” (1958) and “ THE BIRDS” (1963)

During self-isolation many resorted to watching movie after movie, often choosing the classics over modern cinema. Similarly, Salvatore Ferragamo creative director Paul Andrew decided to explore his fascination with the films of Hollywood’s legend filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock, basing his SS21 collection on the looks from “The Birds” and “Vertigo”. Instead of using classic 1960s silhouettes, however, Andrew decided to pervade his collection with strict femininity instilled with leather dresses, fitted raincoats with a protective collar, and luxurious yet practical suits with a knee-length skirt.