Vogue Vampiness
Photograph by Captain Catan, Wikipedia
So, you might have heard about The September Issue by now—RJ Cutler’s documentary on fashion’s notorious ice queen, Vogue editor Anna Wintour. The film follows Wintour and her staff on the concepting, planning and organizing of fashion’s largest issue every year—you guessed it—the September (the film actually focuses on the 2007) issue.
The September issue (the actual magazine) is the largest issue of a fashion mag every year mainly because of the change in season equals a change of clothing (pretty obvious) and with the majority of U.S. climates not Miami-esque and cooler weather dominating more of the year than not, most can’t wear sundresses and bare legs year-round. Hence why we turn to Vogue, W, Marie Claire, Elle and InStyle to lead the way in reporting the absolute cutting-edge in boots, jeans, coats and handbags.
Although many speculate The Devil Wears Prada film was based on Wintour, there’s no doubt there are similarities between Meryl Streep’s fictional fashion editor and the flesh-and-blood woman. For example, a driver ferries her to and from work every day. Wintour is not particularly personable and in fact, can be downright degrading if she doesn’t agree with an idea/photograph/Sienna Miller’s hair (the September 2007 cover model). She’s incredibly particular about every aspect of the magazine—there’s even a scene where a staffer predicts that Wintour won’t like a certain landing page on the website. And of course one cannot ignore the fact that she’s incredibly brusque pretty much, well, all of the time. That means Ms. Wintour is likely not making small talk about the weather or a sports game.
Wintour and creative director Grace Coddington have a love-hate relationship that’s interesting to absorb. Both women respect each other’s creative viewpoints and Wintour effusively praises Coddington in some scenes, and in others the women clash on photo shoots and clothing choices. In one scene Wintour repeatedly questions Coddington’s outfit choice for a shoot focusing on clothing textures. For a highly extravagant shoot featuring multiple models in John Galliano clothing (there are even dogs dressed up in it) Wintour dismisses the double-truck photograph essentially stating the shot doesn’t fit in with the rest of the spread and that it should be taken out.
Coddington dejectedly states to the cameraman, “well, that’s $50,000 of work that was taken out.” Amusingly, Coddington needles Wintour in one part, asking her the budget for a shoot in Europe. When Wintour stumbles on an answer a triumphant Coddington later bubbles to the cameraman, “I love asking Anna about money in front of you guys. She hates talking money in front of other people.” Score one for Coddington.
Overall the film reveals the underpinnings of the editorial fashion world (ha ha, get it?). Wintour’s power is unrivaled by no one; Oscar de la Renta seeks her advice on his next runway show; she singlehandedly boosts designer Thakoon Panichgul to fashion darling after she recommends him to the Gap’s higher-ups to design a diffusion line for the label that sold out quickly; a Neiman Marcus exec asks her advice on prompting designers to deliver orders earlier so they in turn can get them to shoppers.
Panichgul in particular admits trepidation upon meeting Wintour and in one amusing scene at his Gap launch party, awkwardly and nervously poses for a photo with Wintour. He thanks her for helping him out with the Gap deal and Wintour succinctly praises his talent and moves on quickly. After Wintour walks away Panichgul looks adequately dazzled at (once again) speaking with The One.
My takeaway from the film? These women are the best of the best in what they do—and that’s why they get paid the big bucks. The fashion world really is what you think it is—chic, incredibly expensive, fascinating, full of talent and artistry, a bit snobby and models on some of these shoots are treated like pretty things.
We do get to see that Wintour is human. One of my favorite parts of the movie was a one-on-one interview with Wintour at the beginning of the film. She’s asked her opinion of fashion and what it means. Wintour states that most deem fashionable people and those interested in fashion as silly and superficial—they only care about looks. Wintour says fashion isn’t about that—fashion is about beauty and fantasy, about making you look and feel good and, essentially, is art. To feel the fabric and see the craftsmanship doesn’t mean you’re superficial, it means you like to present yourself well and appreciate the art of clothesmaking. Of course I enjoy her philosophy not only for my role here at the magazine, but because I’ve always thought that there isn’t anything wrong with wanting to look good and dress well every day—and it’s not superficial, it’s smart. When’s the last time someone got a job of their dreams wearing sweatpants and sneakers to the job interview? That’s what I thought.
Since this review is already long enough, I’ll just say this: SOMEONE NEEDS TO MAKE A DOCUMENTARY NEXT ABOUT (Vogue editor-at-large) ANDRE LEON TALLEY. He is one thousand percent fabulous!! Playing tennis wearing a diamond-encrusted Piaget watch, Louis Vuitton towel around his neck with Louis Vuitton trunk in tow? Absolutely, darling. Someone get this man a show!
The September Issue is still showing at Sundance Cinemas in Madison.
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As Madison Magazine's associate and style editor, Shayna Miller writes the monthly "Window Shopping" column about Madison's coolest store owners, products and shops. She also reports on Madison's most stylish people, chic items she loves, store events and sales, and additional dish in her weekly blog. Her favorite places to check out around town are consignment and vintage shops for one-of-a-kind treasures, new restaurants and bars, and anywhere that affords her the opportunity to meet and talk to Madison's most inspirational (and many times, fashionable!) people.
