Watch Versailles '73: American Runway Revolution

Versailles '73: American Runway Revolution from 2012 is a documentary film that tells the story of a pivotal moment in the history of fashion. The film is directed by Deborah Riley Draper and produced by Coffee Bluff Pictures. The movie centers around a fashion show that took place in 1973 at the Palace of Versailles in France. The show was organized by Eleanor Lambert, a prominent fashion publicist in New York, and was intended to raise funds for the restoration of the palace. The event was intended to be a friendly competition between American and French designers, but it turned out to be much more than that.

The American designers, who were relatively unknown at the time, were given the opportunity to showcase their designs on the same runway as the top French designers of the day. The American team included Stephen Burrows, Bill Blass, Oscar de la Renta, Anne Klein, and Halston, while the French team featured Yves Saint Laurent, Hubert de Givenchy, Pierre Cardin, and Christian Dior.

The film provides a behind-the-scenes look at the preparation for the show, including the designers' struggles to get their clothes to Paris, their interactions with each other, and the tension between the American and French teams. It also follows the models, who were mostly African-American, as they prepared for the show and dealt with issues of race and representation in the fashion industry.

One of the standout moments of the film is the actual fashion show itself. The American designers, who were not accustomed to the grandeur of the Palace of Versailles, had to improvise with their staging and lighting, but their designs stole the show. They presented a collection of colorful, modern clothes that were a stark contrast to the French designers' more traditional, formal designs. The American models, who were chosen for their diversity and energy, also shone on the runway.

The movie explores the impact of the Versailles show on the fashion industry and American culture as a whole. It shows how the event helped to launch the careers of the American designers and brought attention to the burgeoning fashion scene in New York City. It also highlights the role of the African-American models in the show, who challenged the traditional standards of beauty and pushed for more diversity in the industry.

Overall, Versailles '73: American Runway Revolution from 2012 is a fascinating look at a pivotal moment in the history of fashion. It provides an intimate and inspiring portrait of the designers, models, and organizers who made the show possible, and sheds light on the larger social and cultural forces that were at play. Whether you're a fashion enthusiast or simply interested in the history of American culture, this film is a must-see.

Versailles '73: American Runway Revolution is a 2012 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.