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Movies have long played an important role
in setting new fashion trends, while also serving as inspiration to
legions of designers. However it’s very rare to find real fashion in
the movies or, more specifically, to see current films that create much
of an impact on the world of style.

A generation ago, movies had an influence
so powerful, they drove designers and garment makers to rush knockoffs
into production. As recently as the 1970s and ’80s, stores and catwalks
swarmed with adaptations, mostly literal, of Hollywood’s greatest
wardrobe hits.

Locally speaking, I would like to say that
Nollywood classics like ‘Living in Bondage’ and ‘Igodo’ have had an
impact on the fashion revolution even in Nigeria but sadly, I can’t.
Our movies haven’t gotten to that extent or maybe because there is more
to be concerned with in the making a Nollywood movie than ‘mere’
fashion. Or maybe it’s because, like a lot of other sectors, we are so
far behind that there really is no need to catch up.

Having said that, Nigerian celebrities
have taken a cue from foreign films and film stars. It is not uncommon
to spot similar silhouettes and shoes from movies like ‘Sex and the
City’ and ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ on Nigerian screens. Nigerian
starlets and socialites are doing more than just storming the red
carpet at every Lagos event, they are imitating fashion directly from
their TV screens, re-inventing it and working it just as well as their
foreign counterparts. These individuals can definitely hold their own
next to an international celebrity when it comes to style.

To further illustrate my point, I took the
liberty to research the internet and have compiled a list of movies
that I strongly feel have revolutionised the face of fashion.

10. The Wild One (1954)

Marlon Brando’s iconic look of cuffed
jeans, leather cap and that ever-masculine black motorcycle jacket
created a look so cool, generations later everyone is still rocking
them in different shades, colours and sizes.

9. Annie Hall (1977)

Diane Keaton in ‘Annie Hall’ received
cachet mostly because of her style. Ralph Lauren helped create Keaton’s
signature look of cheeky, chic menswear. Her hat, man’s tie, shirt,
waistcoat and wide-leg trousers appeared elegant yet casually thrown
on. The look became a ‘70s sensation as women opted for
masculine/feminine style, keeping menswear in vogue to date.

8. Desperately Seeking Susan (1985)

Every woman had thought about it, but it
was Madonna who made the thought a reality. Madonna’s wardrobe included
black dresses paired with leggings, men’s pants with exposed lacy bras.
rolled-down, rhinestone boots and men’s boxers. She was always
accessorised with beads, crosses, bracelets and all that
bleached-blonde hair. Madonna was so uber-sexy and bold, that her looks
translated to mega-watts of influence.

7. Saturday Night Fever (1977)

Disco was already a phenomenon by the time
‘Saturday Night Fever’ arrived, but the megahit propelled its style
into the mainstream. Hip-swaying John Travolta’s blow-dried hair,
tight, shiny polyester duds, platform shoes and that famous white suit
created enough of a sensation for everyone to start take disco lessons.

6. Blow-Up (1966)

Its representation of London was a perfect
foundation for the mod fashion that would later take the world by
storm. The mod, Mary Quant-looking duds favoured by London’s youth were
donned by all the film’s characters, from the top model to distressed
heroines and everyone in between. Miniskirts, go-go boots, A-line
dresses, colourful or patterned tights and knitwear were all fused into
the movie, creating a mod masterpiece.

5. Pulp Fiction (1994)

Uma Thurman’s style in pulp fiction was so
simple, she was the definition of hip-simplicity. Her black pants,
crisp white shirt and blunt, banged black hair (a china doll wig)
became a trend from 1994 onwards. You can still open up a fashion
magazine and find a spread on the crisp white shirt or walk into any
wig store to purchase that exact same hair style.

4. And God Created Woman (1957)

In an era of perfected girdle-free blouses
and tight skirts, Brigitte Bardot’s nubile nymphet sported long,
unkempt hair and flaunted her bikini-induced sex appeal, making many
women develop an instant desire to look like her. Swimwear
manufacturers began to market bikinis for the sun-loving American woman
because of the film’s popularity. To think that, six years earlier,
they were banned from the Miss World contest!

3. Reservoir Dogs (1992)

The fabulous black suits worn by the
fast-talking, amoral gangsters became an instant hit. The basic black,
skinny tie with white shirt and sunglasses worn by all the Mr Colours
were so popular that suddenly suits became a sign of major cool.

2. Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1938)

When it comes to Audrey Hepburn’s style,
it’s almost hard to pinpoint a specific movie because she was so
defiantly iconic. So revolutionary was the Belgian-born Hepburn, that
decades after, the LBD, pencil skirt and Capri pants are still staples
in the wardrobe of fashionistas the world over. That scene where she
was looking through the show glass of Tiffany & Co in her little
black dress is simply one of the most iconic fashion moments of all
time.

1. Sex and the City (1994, 2008 & 2010)

This movie is a modern example of how
movies have had a tremendous influence on our fashion choices. From
stilettos to trench coats and ballerina skirts, the women of ‘Sex and
the City’ have unquestionably made their mark on the world of fashion.

In my opinion, ‘Sex and the City’ appears
to be the last of its kind in terms of fashion influence from this
generation onwards. Some people argue that the reason the movie was so
influential is because of the weight it pulled in the ‘90s with the
television series; fans were expectant of its influence even before the
movie was released.

Sadly, most movies made in the past few
years are by no means fashion-revolutionary. Dare one hope that there
will soon be a turn-around of some sort? After all, film and fashion
once enjoyed a relationship so intertwined as to border on incestuous.
Today, that statement scarcely registers. Maybe it’s because every
style wearable has already been invented, so-to-speak. Whatever the
case may be, clearly, the long and fabulous love affair has lost its
sparkle.