The 40 Best Fashion Documentaries to Watch in Between Runway Seasons

Scenes within the glossy walls of magazines or backstage at glamorous fashion shows feel like hermetically sealed worlds, inaccessible to even the most die-hard of fans. Yes, everything has changed thanks to the internet – with a few exceptions, fans can now watch live streams directly on brands’ social media accounts. However, the best fashion documentaries have the ability to take things a step further. There are situations that can bring you the best pleasure, inspiration and emotion, e.g. Martin Margiela: In his own wordsan unprecedented insight into the industry’s most elusive figures. Some paint tender portraits of modern giants and the teams behind them, such as Raf Simons in dior and me. Documentaries such as September issue and Helmut Newton: The Bad and the Beautiful reveals how other aspects of the industry operate beyond the catwalk—after all, once a fashion show is over and before the next season begins, show samples are shipped around the world to be worn on red carpets and photographed in magazine editorials. While the Fall 2026 collections are traveling the world on their own, read on for the best fashion documentaries below.