"The September Issue" on DVD

The previous post about "Kell on Earth" explains how the TV show exposes us to what it takes to put on a runway show, but have you ever wondered what it takes to put together a leading fashion magazine? If so, then step into The September Issue and prepare to be amazed. This documentary follows legendary Vogue Editor in Chief, Anna Wintour, and her staff as they dream up and create the largest and most influential issue of the year.

With her renowned bob and mysterious poker face, Anna is a fascinating person and perhaps the most important figure in the fashion world. Designers vie for her approval and create their collections with the mantra "What Would Anna Like?" in the back of their minds. We get to enter Anna's world as she previews all of the collections privately with the designers, spends time with her daughter, and approves or denies ideas for the issue. Since she decides what goes into the magazine and the magazine defines the trends, her vision is essentially the only one that matters. In other words, the entire fashion world rests on her extremely petite shoulders.

Actress and fashion icon Sienna Miller is on the cover of this September 2007 issue and in the film we are able to see her first fitting, Anna's conceptual meeting with acclaimed photographer Mario Testino, the shoot in Rome, and the insane amount of retouching, fretting, and decision making that goes into choosing a cover photo.

We are also taken into the Vogue photo shoots that are born from the brilliant mind of Creative Director, Grace Coddington. Grace and Anna both started working at American Vogue on the exact same day, and their complex and sometimes clashing point of views make for an amazing magazine. Watching Grace's shoots come to life is one of my favorite parts of the film, and I have never looked at another fashion spread the same way.

Grace Coddington and Anna Wintour

Photo Credit: thescreendaily.com

Photo from Paris, J'taime shoot

Photo Credit: Steven Meisel

Vogue, Sept. 2007

For fashion lovers of all kinds, The September Issue belongs in your DVD collection like a little black dress belongs in your closet. It comes with a second disc full of deleted scenes including previews with Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel and John Galliano at Dior, as well as comical interviews with larger than life Editor at Large, Andre Leon Talley. This wonderful film lets us normal consumers see a perspective of the fashion world that would never be possible unless you work at Vogue.

Dress on!

Lisa