Last weekend, I had the sudden inspiration to watch The September Issue. Not a movie that was released in Malaysia, I stumbled upon the Wikipedia entry while stalking researching on Anna Wintour. Devil Wears Prada was one of my favouritest movies ever, and therefore when I heard Anna Wintour (the supposed-inspiration behind scary editor Miranda Priestly) agreed for a documentary, I was curious to watch.
So I managed to watch it and emerged enlightened.
As you all know I work in the magazine industry, and I have been working in this field for a year. Not very experienced, but I have already gained my momentum. I love what I do very much, although there has been hair-raising moments, I can truly honestly say, even though I doubt it is my life purpose, I do enjoy doing this with all my heart and soul.
Anyway, of course, there is a huge difference between how each magazine works. Marie Claire offices are much different than Vogue, Vanity Fair’s shoots and focus are completely different than Seventeen etc. Therefore it always intrigues me when I watch shows/documentaries on how magazines run. Which drew me to September issue in the first place.
Okay, before I rant further: a trailer to this documentary.
When I watched it, I watched through the eyes of a magazine writer. I understand every effort that is made by Wintour and her team to have a good magazine and the dedication they pour into their craft. But like anybody else who have watched the documentary, I found an all-new respect for Grace Coddington, the unsung hero zoomed in by the producers of the show.
Brave and somehow motherly, she actually stands up to the icy cool Wintour in several climax scenes. But what truly captivated me was her professionalism and dedication to her work. She attentively selects the texture, colours and materials of her clothes and mixes them. She knows what she wants in her shots and creates a warm, soulful atmosphere in the shoots. She engages the models, cares for their welfare and encourages them to bring out the best of the shots, which I find truly wonderful. I especially liked the shots she did at the diners…very romantic yet beautiful.
Of course, Wintour might be portrayed as an aloof, inscrutinable superior but kudos has to be extended to her to make the magazine work. Truth be told, I am a big fan of Vanity Fair and Vogue is a magazine I pick up to flip through for some fashion shoot ideas rather than its substance, but there is no doubt it is Wintour to controls the direction of the magazine. Whether you may or not question her decisions to throw out certain images or work, she is good at what she does and she knows it. Otherwise, she would not be the editor of Vogue US for 22 years (crap that is like, one year younger than me!)
Anyway, you have to admit, the Coddington-Wintour relationship is a true dynamic that spurs the magazine further (and centralises the documentary focus). If you are a big fan of fashion and is curious on how magazines are run (please don’t believe all that Ugly Betty hype. Its not THAT superficial la), this is the documentary for you.
