Watching "The September Issue". Can Vogue Be Saved?

I watched The September Issue this afternoon. It was fun, interesting, and even the husband who accompanied me didn't look tortured afterwards. If you've suffered through the informative but badly written Front Row, Anna Wintour's biography by Jerry Oppenheimer, or (the even worse) The devil Wears Prada, you're already familiar with Anna Wintour's special charm and probably have a general idea how a Vogue issue is produced. But watching it on screen is much more powerful, and it cements the shock and awe at the power, creativity and egos involved.

The movie gives some screen time to the intentional and unintentional hilarity of André Leon Talley, but the real star is neither André The Giant nor Cruella de Wintour. Grace Coddington, Vogue's long-suffering creative director, steals the show. She's inspired, artistic, knowledgable and utterly charming. She embodies everything I've ever loved about Vogue, even before her (and Wintour's) days in the magazine. We get to see her in action, watch her creative process and her struggles. While I have no choice but respect Anna Wintour's skill and achievements, it's Coddington who commands admiration for her work and personality. We want to strangle Wintour on her behalf and cheer when she ends up getting her way in the end.

The movie comes out at a time Vogue (and the entire publishing industry) is at the lowest point it's been in years. The September 2009 issue is no longer "the biggest one ever". Subscriptions, circulation and ad revenues are falling; magazines and newspapers are shutting down. It's a new world and the old media is having a hard time adjusting. You, my reader, being here is part of that. After all, blogs like this one came to be because the Beauty section of the magazines didn't deliver. Consumers want easy access, immediate information, honest reviews and the ability react, interact and participate in the process.

Can Vogue be saved?

I think the answer to that is yes. Probably because I strongly believe that it should be saved. Vogue has so much value as part of our culture and art. I've been a Vogue reader for most of my life, have always admired the work of Grace Mirabella and Diana Vreeland and would like to see the magazine emerge from Wintour's reign of terror and become better. It's an important resource that should be preserved and allowed to thrive, but it needs to adjust. I would like to see it step up, embrace the social media and engage its loyal readers and subscribers in ways that would enforce the magazine's relevance.

How do you feel about it? Do you think Vogue can be saved? How would you like to see the magazine evolve?

Photo of Grace Coddington and Anna Wintour from the NY Daily News

The Obligatory Sex And The City NY Premier Commentary

I have to be honest here: while I was really excited about the release of Sex And The City: The Movie (just think of the shoes), nothing turns me off as quickly as over-hype. But since I'm here for the pretty, the shiny and the snarky, let's ignore the PR machine and look at the dresses:


Sarah Jessica Parker skipped the crazy hat, and instead chose a gorgeous Nina Ricci gown. I watched the red carpet arrivals on E! (though I kept it on mute. I have done nothing so bad as to deserve another Juliana Rancic show), and there was also a questionable pair of shoes, thankfully hidden under the dress and a vintage looking clutch. I love everything about her look. The hair is her trademark and the makeup focused on her eyes, her best feature.



Kristin Davis made an unfortunate choice with her Donna Karan dress. I hoped it just didn't photograph well, but it was just as horrid on screen. Stiff, promish and the length is in what Tim Gunn calls "the frumpy zone".



It seems that I'm the only one who liked Cynthia Nixon's Narciso Rodriguez dress. While her co-stars have gone metallic, Cynthia is pale and ethereal. I think she looks lovely.

Kim Cattrall has apparently trying to orchestrate a wardrobe malfunction since the Toronto premier (see this photo). Still no nip-slip, but she looks dangerously close.


What do you think? Who is your favorite? And why does Matthew Broderick look mostly-dead?

Robert Altman

Director Robert Altman has passed away yesterday, at the age of 81. Among his (many) credits you can find the fabulous Prêt-à-Porter (Ready to Wear), which is not only "about" fashion and the industry, but it also gives clothes and our perception of them a major role. I re-watched it recently and enjoyed it much more than I did when it first came out in 1994. It was also a lot of fun to see the cameo appearances of several top designers and supermodels.