The Look

In this TV documentary series, shown on BBC four, the fashion world is investigated in six episodes each with a distinctly different angle to provide a multi-faceted look of the inner workings of high-end fashion lines. For example, in episode 1 we are shown the runway and what goes into making a million dollar show that is over in five minutes, or in episode the power of the press is examined.

Documentary

Seasons

1. Runway

Air Date: 1992-01-10

Series about the serious side of the fashion industry. This part goes behind the scenes at 'runway' shows in Paris, Milan, London and New York, examines who sits where on the political map of fashion and looks at the evolution of the superstar model.

2. Scenting Money

Air Date: 1992-01-17

Series that explores the serious side of the fashion industry examines how designers can expand into a multi-million-pound business, not by selling the clothes they design, but by using sophisticated marketing techniques to lend the kudos of their name to a range of other products, from handbags to perfume.

3. Power of the Press

Air Date: 1992-01-24

This edition of the fashion industry series takes a look at the relationship between the fashion press and the PR machines of top designers, and considers just how much power the press has over the direction of design. Contributors include journalists Anna Wintour, Suzy Menkes and Liz Tiberis.

4. Uniform and Function

Air Date: 1992-01-31

Fashion industry series looks at how identity can be bought off the peg, from the Ralph Lauren preppy look to Chanel's interlocking C's for the shiny set.

5. Material World

Air Date: 1992-02-07

Series which lifts the lid on the fashion world takes a look at fabric and how it is used to completely different effect by designers like Issey Miyake, Gianni Versace and Christian Lacroix.

6. Yves Saint Laurent

Air Date: 1992-02-14

Fashion series focuses on the work of the late Yves Saint Laurent, regarded by many as the greatest designer of the 20th century. No couture season could end without a YSL collection, yet this reclusive, sensitive man was dogged by ill health and every year remained coy about whether the collection would be ready in time.

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