A fascinating chronicle of the lead-up to the September issue of American Vogue – traditionally the biggest issue of the year. Plans are to make September 2007 the biggest in its history.
Behind the scenes access provides an insight into the workings of the fashion house magazine overseen by editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. It’s engrossing as editorial meetings with section heads plan months in advance commissioned photoshoots scheduled in Europe as well as the States. André Leon Talley gushes whilst creative director at-large Grace Coddington voices a love-hate relationship with Wintour based on a long standing professional relationship: others are more circumspect in their criticisms and frustrations as long term plans are suddenly cancelled or inclusions excluded. Process is revealed, thoughts stated as the mock up of the magazine (and the millions of dollars of advertising) slowly inches its way to a record. Paris Fashion Week inevitably features in The September Issue but we even get to go home with Anna Wintour and meet her wannabe lawyer daughter, Katherine.
Disconcertingly direct and to the point, Wintour lives up to her reputation (The Devil Wears Prada is famously based on her) but she is magnificent in her professionalism. But the revelation is Grace Coddington – a former model in the 1960s and who is regarded as second to none in her creativity.
Rating: 66%
Director: R.J. Cutler (Billie Eilish: the World’s a Little Blurry, If I Stay)
An Opinion or Two 