February 6, 2012

The September Issue

Many of you have probably already seen this, but I finally got around to watching The September Issue (2009), a documentary behind the making of Vogue's largest September issue.
The September Issue is The Devil Wears Prada come alive.  As with any documentary, there's more to it than just a behind-the-scenes of Vogue offices.  The September Issue touches on the relationships between Anna Wintour and everyone else around her - Creative Director Grace Coddington, daughter Bee Shaffer, designers, and press.  It's unavoidable that Anna will be painted with a tinge of iciness (the way she says "excuse me" to an assistant in her way - priceless), but the documentary reveals that she is nonetheless still a mother, an admirer of talent, and a sharp, quick as a whip, intelligent woman who can invariably run the most famous fashion magazine in the world.
At the beginning of the documentary, she talks about why some people mock the fashion industry and why they are wrong in doing so, and having done something similar myself, I fully support her.  But there was a twinge of sadness near the end of the documentary, when during an interview, Anna says, almost tearing up between an uncomfortable laugh, "My two brothers and my sister...um...I think they're very amused by what I do.  They...uh...they're amused.  So..."  It is disheartening to think that her siblings - whom Anna says are very successful themselves - still cannot quite respect the work of line she is in.  Here is a woman, who some say is the most powerful woman in America (a stretch?  Well, think how she practically dictates how the entire country dresses), at the top of the fashion industry, yet her siblings are simply amused.
But enough about the emotional aspect of the documentary.  Let's get down to the frivolous details of working for Vogue.  I was completely riveted throughout the entire documentary because it seemed like I watching a documentary about my dreams.  With a heart full of yearning, I sat with my eyes glued to the racks beyond racks of clothing, shelves full of shoes, piles of magazine page rough drafts, serious meetings about jackets and feathers, and exciting, glamorous photoshoots (even if done frantically 2 days before issue closing).
As glam as it seems, it's obvious that putting together a magazine each month is no easy feat.  There's endless stress, and a million little details to tend to.  Hopefully, after watching The September Issue, people come away with more understanding for how difficult it actually is to churn out an issue of Vogue.  Everyone that works at Vogue might not have your typical science smarts, but I'd sure like to see an engineer (no disrespect) visualize storylines for spreads, come up with catchy word play, and talk about skirt lengths with as much intelligence as Vogue editors do.

Image Source: Poster, Grace, DaughterKarl, Dinner, Front row, Interview, Drafts, Andre, Photoshoot, Cover

17 comments:

  1. i soooo want to see this!thanks for reminding me.nice post :)

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  2. I saw this documentary lots of time and I always love it. Anna wintour is a woman that I admire so much for her talent and her decision, her ability to express what she thinks in such a clear way.

    What sadly I have to say is that Vogue America is not really "fashion", I mean that is too much, for my taste, about celebrities and (even if is much more bigger)looks just rubbish in comparison wit Vogue Italia. I love Anna, really, but I think that Franca SOzzani makes a product that is more about fashion and maybe more interesting for all those people who actually like fashion and not for just who want to read "vogue" cause it sounds cool!

    http://fashiondoesntexist.blogspot.com/

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    1. You know, I would have to agree with you. I've never actually read any other Vogue except for Vogue America, but from the photos I've seen online, they certainly look more fashion. The covers are more creative, and I see the use of models more often than celebrities (which is one thing I hope to see in fashion - less celebrities, more fashion personalities!) One day, I will find myself a copy of Vogue from another country!

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  3. This documentary is extremely interesting. I enjoy watching Vogue and "behind the scenes" commentary. It is fun to watch.
    -Madeleine

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  4. I saw this the first week it came out, and then got it on dvd to watch it until my heart was content. LOVE grace coddington so much!

    Thanks for visiting!
    XXASAB
    New post:Outfit catchup; twist and stripes

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  5. Fascinating! I'm not AS into the fashion world as you are but I found her story intriguing.

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  6. I always way behind on watching things, but this one I absolutely need to get a peek at. Looks very interesting and probably plenty of fashion eye-candy as well:)

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  7. I would love to see it, but it's not translated in french, and my english is too bad to understand everything !
    http://selenite.weebly.com

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  8. I remember really thinking that Grace Coddington came off as the unsung hero of Vogue. It was heartbreaking for me to see her editorials get slashed time and time again. Though I did snicker when Anna called Sienna "toothy".

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    1. I think that was a strong message that came through in the documentary: the kind of hierarchy. But still, Grace got her fabulous work in the final draft, and I think that no matter what gets slashed, seeing what did make it being published is pride in itself. And hahaha I must admit Sienna wasn't quite looking her best in that documentary, but ah, always leave it up to Anna to voice it.

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  9. I absolutely need to see this. I have heard such incredible things about this documentary since its release; yet I have never gotten around to watching it myself. :/

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  10. I get stressed just thinking about it! Can you imagine the pressure! Whew! Constant! I haven't seen The September Issue yet, but have it on my to watch list ;) Thanks darling for stopping by to see me and leaving your sweet comment ~ and yay it's almost a weekend! Hope yours is fabulous! xoxo

    Sandy at Ooh La Frou Frou
    http://oohlafroufrou.blogspot.com

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  11. omg i have been wanting to see this movie since it came out but i can never find it in dvd stores! it looks sooooo cool!

    x
    TOPSHOP BRAND ‘LOVE’ GIVEAWAY!

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  12. I've watched,and the imagination and feelings is way i could never express! i situated my self in time where i was inside a dream..i don't have to be on the higher position...

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    1. I had the exact same reaction! I didn't need to envision myself as Anna (although that would be amazing). I'd be just as happy as one of those assistants who always seem to be in the way!

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  13. i havent seen it yet! nice tip, thanks a bunch!

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