The September Issue

What is the most powerful and at the same time best-respected fashion magazine in the world? The answer is as simple as it may seem- it is VOGUE! The documentary made by R.J Cutler “The September Issue” depicts the creation of a fall issue in 2007 which sets a record at well over 800 pages.  

As we have learnt from the picture, the September Issue is the most important for the world of fashion. Each year the whole journal is devoted to the designs and designers that the editors think will be influential and potent in the coming season. Thanks to watching the documentary, one has  a chance to see quite an intriguing study of the office politics of Vogue and its editor-in-chief Anna Wintour from behind-the-scenes.

From 1988, when Wintour assumed her place at the top, she has ruled with an iron hand. There are many stories about her ,but on the whole, it is easily visible that she isn’t warm and friendly woman, yet, she is just doing her business. She creates the world brand and seems to cultivate it no matter how high the price is.

Wintour doesn’t say a lot, her statements are limited to “yes” and “no” and what is more, she never explains “why”. Still, in the world of fashion her opinion matters most. Being over 60 years old, she seems to have the “zero” seize the same as the models in her magazine. Worth emphasizing is also the fact that in public, she almost always wears the same dark glasses which for me, create an invisible barrier between her and the common man. Her clothes are not only sophisticated and elegant but also made by the designers from the highest shelves.

As far as Wintour actions are concerned, I found it interesting that it was her who introduced the actresses or singers on the cover of Vogue. In short, she takes and advantage of the power of popularity of those people. She gave them a spot to shine and in return, she increased the number of sold copies.

Although the documentary aims at digging deep in the magical world of Vogue, its formation and people who are responsible for its success, for me,  it only briefly touches upon the subject. It is more about creating a desire and the transformation of wants into needs.  Still, it is a nice piece to watch.

Fashion in Museums

What I really like about fashion is the fact that it is a kind of art but simultaneously it is at arm’s length. There is no denying that designing and sewing is hand’s on process, the same as stretching the canvas and using colors in order to create an image in paint. Both a designer and a painter are artists and in my view, they have to be equally appreciated.  

Thanks to this, I am very glad that the two famous museums- Victoria and Albert Museum in London and Metropolitan Museum in New York opened exhibitions in order to honour beautiful ballgowns and red carpet evening dresses and so their originators.

Starting with London, the exhibition name is “Ballgowns, British Glamour Since 1950” and one is able to see it from May 19, 2012 to January 6, 2013. To cut a long story short, it covers over sixty years of British fashion by displaying around sixty designs for many events, namely: royal balls, movie’s premieres, private parties and opening nights. This is a retrospection of the greatest masterpieces of Alexander McQueen,  Giles Deacon, Erdem and Jenny Packham and many more. If you are not familiar with the names, the exhibition is still worth visiting as it is a possibility to admire the gowns which were worn by Queen Elizabeth or Princess Diana on the most important occasions. For those who are more into present days, the collections also includes dresses worn by actresses, singers and celebrities such as Sundra Bullock or Bianca Jagger.

To visit the Metropolitan Museum in NY one has to hurry up as the exhibition is on view from May 10 to August 19, 2012. “Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations” takes an advantage of the kinship and closeness in perceiving fashion by the two Italian designers Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada. It depicts how the ideas of the two creators were connected, concerning innovative ideas and perfect sewing techniques. Those incredible women explore similar themes in their work through various approaches and that is why seeing their masterpieces one could not take their eyes off. Their designs are arranged in seven themed galleries "Waist Up/Waist Down," "Ugly Chic," "Hard Chic," "Naif Chic," "The Classical Body," "The Exotic Body," and "The Surreal Body."