The September Issue (2009)

Since the theme this week is fashion, we must study the holy grail of fashion publications,Vogue. The documentary The September Issue by director R.J. Cutler takes a look at how an issue of Vogue is created. The september issue of Vogue is the biggest of the year and this documentary shows us how it all comes together(& unstuck at the same time). At the centre of it all is Anna Wintour, the editor, arguably one of the most influential women alive

But I have to wonder, is Wintour really cold enough to warrant the 'ice queen' tag?She just seems like a professional and confident woman who doesn't take any crap. That's what you have to be like in an industry full of upcoming deadlines and artistic temperaments. At least she has a sense of humour about it. The influence she has over designers and the entire fashion world is astounding; well-known designers such as Karl Lagerfeld, Oscar de la Renta and Jean Paul Gaultier are all happy to take on Anna's perspective because nobody knows this industry better than she does. However it is noticed that nobody has anything bad to say about Wintour, possibly out of fear, you can almost see the other editors at Vogue shaking when they have to deliver a pitch to her.

The staff at Vogue are a fascinating group of people. Just take a look at André Leon Talley Vogue's(now former) editor at large. The man is a character, his statements about fashion are as bold as his dress sense. You can tell he loves his job, which to be honest I'm not completely sure what that is.

Behind Wintour is the amazing creative editor Grace Coddington, who in my opinion is a genius. Her history with Vogue is interesting enough to be a documentary in its own right. Coddington's work is visionary and vital to Vogue's success as shown in The September Issue. I would say Coddington is the backbone of Vogue and the star of the film, I love her honesty and the passion she has about her work.

The most surprising part of September Issue is Wintour's daughter Bee Shaffer, a girl with the most fashion savvy mother in the world, yet she seems completely reasonable and not interested in taking her mother's place at Vogue any time soon, much to her mother's dismay. She find's the whole thing a bit weird, particularly those who have a 'fashion is life' attitude. This is refreshing in a documentary where we see everyone fuss over feathers or colour for what seems like forever.

So if you take an interest in fashion you will like this and find it insightful and if fashion frightens you, you'll probably be wondering why you saw it in the first place. It's a well made documentary with interesting people and about a topic people will either love or loathe. Some in The September Issue clearly take fashion a little too seriously(but I love you for it André) but you have to keep in mind that this is their job.

See you tomorrow, for more fashion and film