October 15, 2009
In a documentary detailing the lead up to the publication of American Vogue’s notorious “September Issue”; the biggest issue in a fashion magazine’s calendar, director R.J Cutler and his small crew follow the every move of British born editor in chief, Anna Wintour. It is a well known theory that Meryl Streep’s formidable character in The Devil Wears Prada was based on Wintour and some believe that the production of The September Issue was allowed in a last ditch attempt to give Wintour some semblance of humility. If that was the case then it is not too hard to say whether the documentary was a success. Nevertheless, The September Issue proves to be a highly enjoyable and satisfying watch.
In an industry which appears to function separately to the rest of society, it would have been easy for Cutler to provide a clichéd and stereotypical view of the fashion trade. However, filmed with a camera that seemed to come equipped with its own sense of humour, The September Issue manages to find the comedy factor in what was clearly a stressful time. A key example of this humour comes at the very start, when a colleague of Wintour’s is asked whether her boss is the “High priestess of fashion”, she pauses for a moment then replies with a nervous smile: “I would say Pope.”
It has to be said however that although Wintour was clearly originally supposed to be the focus of the film the show is stolen by someone else, namely one Grace Coddington; creative director of American Vogue. Coddington’s on-going battle with Wintour over the inclusion of certain articles is described perfectly through shots of eye-rolling, stony glances and hilarious awkward silences. She can justifiably be described as light relief from the ruthless behaviour of Wintour, who remains cold throughout and only falters when asked about her family’s opinion of her profession, in response to which she replies “They find what I do... Amusing.” Enough said.
If it was unlikely that Cutler and his crew would be allowed into the Vogue offices, then to follow Wintour and Coddington into meetings with the likes of Jean-Paul Gaultier or Oscar De La Renta was a complete miracle. The September Issue offers a delightfully tongue-in-cheek look at the fashion industry from the inside and should be given a chance by those who both love and loathe the concept of an elitist business like Vogue.
In an industry which appears to function separately to the rest of society, it would have been easy for Cutler to provide a clichéd and stereotypical view of the fashion trade. However, filmed with a camera that seemed to come equipped with its own sense of humour, The September Issue manages to find the comedy factor in what was clearly a stressful time. A key example of this humour comes at the very start, when a colleague of Wintour’s is asked whether her boss is the “High priestess of fashion”, she pauses for a moment then replies with a nervous smile: “I would say Pope.”
It has to be said however that although Wintour was clearly originally supposed to be the focus of the film the show is stolen by someone else, namely one Grace Coddington; creative director of American Vogue. Coddington’s on-going battle with Wintour over the inclusion of certain articles is described perfectly through shots of eye-rolling, stony glances and hilarious awkward silences. She can justifiably be described as light relief from the ruthless behaviour of Wintour, who remains cold throughout and only falters when asked about her family’s opinion of her profession, in response to which she replies “They find what I do... Amusing.” Enough said.
If it was unlikely that Cutler and his crew would be allowed into the Vogue offices, then to follow Wintour and Coddington into meetings with the likes of Jean-Paul Gaultier or Oscar De La Renta was a complete miracle. The September Issue offers a delightfully tongue-in-cheek look at the fashion industry from the inside and should be given a chance by those who both love and loathe the concept of an elitist business like Vogue.