A documentary following legendary editor Anna Wintour and her creative director Grace Coddington as they work on putting together the autumn issue of the fashion magazine Vogue, traditionally the launching of the new fashion designs, winter collections and the start of what will be in style during the coming months. "The September Issue" is important to both the superficial designer and buyer.
The September Issue throws perceptions out the window, we get a first hand look at the making of, the set up and production of the biggest magazine issue that many consider the fashion bible. What we don't get is look at the production run, not until the end credits are ready to roll do we actually see the print process. We do get the passion that it takes to start wit ha blank slate and turn that into what the magazine has become, the ordeal of turning out a bigger and better issue every year takes it toll.
Director R. J. Cutler hints at how driven Anna Wintour is, we see her at fashion shows in Europe, we see many well know designers acting like small children called before the principal. They know that one bad word about their forthcoming designs or eve nan omission in Anna's magazine could be financial ruin for many of them. Anna is shown as being shrewd driven and in total control from day one right up to the actual print run is on the shelves.
Grace Coddington upstages Anna from her first scene, the two started at Vogue together, moved up together, so they know how far they can push each other, they both want the same thing a great issue for the readers, they just have different ideas about what is great. Grace is nothing at all like Anna, where grace has frizzy hair and pail skin Anna has a short bob and is seen mainly wearing sunglasses. Grace almost dresses herself as if she has no fashion sense at all, but as you watch her you will be won over by her sheer genius and eye for creative art form in directing photo shoots and dreaming up storyboards on the fly for the still pictures to tell a story. We get very little about any other member of the publishing giant, we do get a few scenes of the flamboyant contributing editor Andre Leon Talley but except for one small interview he is seen on the edge of everything.
I give The September Issue a 3 and on my avoidance scale a 0, this film showcases the two women who had a dream, and then turned that dream into a reality. In today's business culture that alone should be applauded. This movie is informative as well as entertaining, the audience is in for a treat here. A first hand look at how one person can change the way Americans shop.
The September Issue is rated PG-13 for Brief Strong Language
Running time is 1 hr. 28mins.
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