Review of The September Issue (2009) by Jenny L — 01 Jan 2013

A well done documentary. It gives us a look behind the cover of Vogue magazine. It centers on the long-time editor, Anna Wintour, and her rite-hand-woman, Grace Coddington. Very little is revealed about their personal lives. Not surprisingly, we do have confirmed for us that the fashion world truly is a shallow and facile enterprise. Who knew??

Let me note that the movie, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, tries very hard to put a positive spin on the fashion industry. Although much money is involved; bottom line, this is lite-weight stuff.

Ms Wintour tellingly reveals that her siblings, who have more substantive occupations, don't think much their sisters chosen profession. Her teenage daughter is seen stating that she does not expect to work in the fashion industry after college. Her mother seems a little disappointed by her familys opinion of her lifes work.

Ms Coddingtion is given almost as much coverage as her editor. She is a former model. There are pictures of her in her younger, modeling days. She was very beautiful. Now she is not recognizable as the same woman. It is striking to note how studiedly Ms Coddington now wears no make-up; and wears plain, often black, shapeless, clothing. Her hair is a large, dry-looking mass. She apparently chooses to not care for her hair in even the most basic manner. She works as an executive for a fashion magazine; yet she makes a point of having a very plain personal appearance. That is very odd.

And that is about it. If you are interested in high fashion; this movie might be worth a look.