It's a shame that the new documentary feature film The September Issue is only out in limited release because after America thought they were getting a look into the fashion industry in The Devil Wears Prada, this movie has surprising educational value and shows the real deal. Come see the softer side of Anna Wintour!
The September Issue chronicles the creation of Vogue magazine's 2007 mammoth September volume, but really is a documentary showcasing the hidden world of the world's most revered fashion magazine. Yes, I will acknowledge the fact that the biggest blowups were either carefully avoided when the cameras were around or respectfully edited out. But when one is constantly being followed by cameras you inevitably eventually forget that they're present and can't help but act natural (as any good reality star will tell you). This leaves me to believe that The September issue must give as close to an accurate portrayal of Vogue life as possible. Seeing this movie made me respect Anna Wintour even more than I already did and really come to like her. Sure she is firm, but from what is shown she always gives criticism in a constructive way which is refreshing to me since I think too many people have pathetically come to expect nothing less than positive reinforcement and sugar coating even in the workplace.
The film contains some genuinely funny moments that couldn't have been scripted by the best writers. Andre Leon Talley is a larger than life caricature of himself and is not apologizing for it. I only wish I could pull off wearing a Louis Vuitton blanket on my shoulders while playing tennis, complimented by a matching racket case, messenger bag, and trunk...obvi.
Grace Coddington, Vogue's Creative Director, is effortlessly comical in her many witty quips and subtle facial expressions upon learning Anna's opinions of the various fashion spreads. The standout scene in the movie comes near the end as Grace creates a photo shoot in which the documentary's cameraman appears as an accessory. Anna decides that his beer gut needs to be retouched, a decision which Grace promptly reverses. Scenes like this showcase their (playful?) tension. During these exchanges, the two women rarely speak to or learn the information directly from each other, but rather the employees break the barrier and rely on said cameraman to relay their colleagues' opinions. It all comes together in delightful comedic sequences. Through occasions such as this and the entire documentary, Grace comes across as extremely genuine and likable, the angel of Vogue if one does choose to buy into Anna as the devil.
It feels so wrong and confusing to lust after a male figure skater, but during this year's Olympics Evan Lysacek has made me think dirty thoughts more than once. And he's straight! So I was quite haps when OK! magazine recently did a feature with shirtless pics of prominent Olympians, starring the very sexy Mr. Lysacek.
