Brrr!
If you were anything like me, the minute you got wind of the documentary The September Issue, you did one of two things. One, you squealed with absolute joy and vowed you’d be the “first” one to see it. Or you ran to your closet and shrieked, “What will I wear?”, found nothing then went shopping.
Well sadly I am guilty of both. However it was not in vain.
In October 2009, as LG Fashion Week ramped up, aglow in controversy, a key event was the Canadian premier of RJ Cutler’s The September Issue. The must ballyhooed documentary gave viewers and unprecedented peek-a-boo at the making of Vogue‘s September 2007 issue, the biggest ever. At almost $20.00 a ticket, plus the idea of sitting on the lot of a former Chrysler dealership under a semi-permanent tent left many exclaiming, “Um I’ll catch in the theatres and where I can get Scene points”.
Unfortunately for me I had to dash to another runway show, duty calls. Though a week after LG Fashion Week wrapped up it hit the theatres.
Sitting in the Varsity’s VIP theater, with my trademark Prada knapsack and Starbucks Green Tea Latte (smuggled in of course) I wore something dynamite by Toronto’s Hoax Couture (http://www.hoaxcouture.com) for my audience with Wintour. I was far from disappointed. To the point where Wintour has become my new hero. If you’ve never seen The September Issue here’s my advice: Toss away The Devil Wears Prada. This documentary kicks Rock N’ Republic clad ass.
In the first 30 minutes Wintour explains why she’s earned her legendary reputation for being “frosty”. Remember Wintour is the most influential face in fashion around the world and what she says goes. Though I don’t want spoil it you see such jaw dropping clips of her telling Lagerfeld after the Chanel show, “We’ve seen better things from you before.” Or taking her after show seat at Jean Paul Gaultier’s back stage run-through and asking him to “Speed it up”.
Counteracting Wintour’s eye rolls is Grace Coddington’s warm and quirky yet unbelievably creative layouts. There are many scenes were Coddington and Wintour butt heads over layouts, pages and heart wrenching scene of Coddington almost reduced to tears. Or Andre Leon Talley’s true over-the-top personality at Vogue and show’s him, very candidly, trying to exercise. Why? Ah my dahhlinks, you must buy the movie to find out.
Forget about what you thought you knew about Wintour, Coddington and Talley just be prepared to be wooed with sumptuous runway shots, frank Wintour moments and beautifully shot scenes all in The September Issue available on DVD February 23rd.
Wintour and Coddington clip from The September Issue
The Movie Poster
