If one is expecting a psychological breakdown of who Anna Wintour really is and why, one may be disappointed upon viewing R.J. Cutler’s documentary The September Issue. But if one is keen on witnessing the inner-workings and staunch editing that goes on behind the gilded doors of the fashion magazine American Vogue, one will be thoroughly enchanted.
I must begin with the true star of the film (at least in my eyes), Grace Coddington, because honestly, there would be no dreamy editorial spreads gracing the glossies without her. Anna & Grace are like Gilbert & Sullivan- if Gilbert & Sullivan were editor-in-cheif & creative director. The film is based around the high-tension dynamic between Anna, the “pope”, and Grace, the visionary. What is so alluring about their relationship is that Grace is the only person in the film who is not intimidated by Anna. What I found most compelling was the editing room where Grace’s spreads would be laid out only to be later cut by Anna. Grace’s feelings seemed etched into her face-she has a softness about her yet underneath she is fierce and has a vision, a quest for perfection and keen intuition. Grace wants texture and volume, color and light- she’s daring and bold, yet so heart-breakingly romantic it brings tears to my eyes. She is truly one of fashion’s greatest editors- she is the images one conjures up when thinking of high-art fashion editorials. “I’m one of the last remaining fashion editors to dress the girls myself,” she tells the camera in The September Issue, and I hope she remains dressing girls for a long, long time.
Has anyone else see this film? Can you relate to Grace, to Anna?
Sep 3, 2009, 07.49 AMby toril
Can’t wait to see this documentary! As soon as it becomes available in my part of the world… ;)
Sep 3, 2009, 03.11 PMby bellamabella
same here!!!!
Sep 4, 2009, 08.10 AMby will.james
i can’t wait to see this but its not out in the uk yet
Sep 5, 2009, 07.27 AMby EmilyKate
A bunch of friends and I went to see this last week and LOVED it! We all loved Grace, she’s such a character, and such a counterpoint to Anna in every way. Some of the facial expressions Grace made and her comments were just PRICELESS! We all agreed that Grace was an absolute hoot and we’d rather be her. But I think, as the point was made in the film, that you do need SOMEONE who is thinking about how all this creativity is going to translate into sales and be distilled into something that is accessible, and that’s Anna’s responsibility and in that role, she’s really unequalled throughout the world.. She’s sort of like a fashionable bean-counter and I wouldn’t find it fun to be her :o)
Sep 5, 2009, 07.27 AMby EmilyKate
A bunch of friends and I went to see this last week and LOVED it! We all loved Grace, she’s such a character, and such a counterpoint to Anna in every way. Some of the facial expressions Grace made and her comments were just PRICELESS! We all agreed that Grace was an absolute hoot and we’d rather be her. But I think, as the point was made in the film, that you do need SOMEONE who is thinking about how all this creativity is going to translate into sales and be distilled into something that is accessible, and that’s Anna’s responsibility and in that role, she’s really unequalled throughout the world.. She’s sort of like a fashionable bean-counter and I wouldn’t find it fun to be her :o)