Notebook on Cities and Clothes: A Sartorial Soirée

Alright folks, let’s chit-chat about Wim Wenders’ “Notebook on Cities and Clothes”. Wenders—you know, the guy behind “Wings of Desire”—takes a different spin here with this 1989 docu-flick. And who’s in the driver’s seat alongside Wenders? None other than avant-garde fashion maestro, Yamamoto. Now, I’m no fashion guru, but I’ve seen enough Björn Borg headbands and ABBA flares to know that fashion’s about more than just clothes.

Stepping into this film feels like flipping open an old journal, filled with scribbles about the chaotic dance between cities and fashion. It’s a bit artsy—maybe even pretentious to some—but in a good way, like a fine Swedish smorgasbord where every bit surprises you. The film flits between Tokyo and Paris, which, let’s admit, are like fashion capitals on steroids. The visuals are gritty, grainy, and that’s kinda the beauty of it.

Now, a quick side story. Back in the 80s, I remember rummaging through my grandma’s attic and finding her old trench coat—had a smell of mothballs and nostalgia. I wore it pretending to be a detective in the windy streets of Stockholm. Wenders’ film almost took me back to that moment, as it paints garments with a brush of personality and memory.

But enough about my wardrobe malfunctions. Wenders’ interplay of the vibrant color of Yamamoto’s world with the monochrome tone of cityscapes is fascinating, though at times it’s more like a visual haiku than a feature film. Not everyone’s cup of glögg, if you catch my drift. And while the pace might lull you into a zen-like state, it feels deliberate, rooted in observation rather than action.

For anyone fascinated by culture, or if you’ve ever stared blankly at your closet pondering “What on earth should I wear?”, this film’s a captivating journey. It stitches together threads of identity, place, and time—sometimes tangled, yet somehow always intriguing. Cheers till next time!

Check the trailer below