September Issue Documentary

Fashion is not about looking back, it's about looking forward
Anna Wintour

The September issue of most fashion magazines tend to be much bigger than the rest of the year. The September 2007 issue of Vogue weighed just about 5 pounds! If you are anything like me, the thought of September Vogue brings a smile to your face. For me it marks the onset of fall fashion, the chance to wear jackets again, at a the time when I'm most likely fed up with the humid and muggy NYC summer.

R.J. Cutler is a documentary filmmaker who decided to take on the multifaceted world of fashion, by following the single most important figure in fashion in North America. He shadows her life at Vogue and gives an inside look at what it takes to be the most successful fashion magazine in the US. We have heard the rumors about Ms. Wintour and we have watched the movie about the devil who wears a certain Italian designer, but what do we really know what it's like?

In the trailer to the documentary we are introduced to a frank and forthright Anna. She doesn't hold back, using snappy remarks that are both honest but probaly true. While speaking to Oscar de la Renta she retorts every so nonchalantly, "I certainly would not put this one in the show. The other things you've shown are more exciting." He most likely listened. Her influence is evident by the way designers speak about her, the way bloggers write about her, and the way fashion media follows her every move. Like her or not she is important.











"There is something about fashion that can make people very nervous," Wintour says to the camera and she is right. After all the fashion industry is greatly influenced by our senses, sight and touch, as well as fantasy and inspiration. Each season designers strive to push boundaries, excite us, make us want more. And for all the critics out there, they cannot deny that fashion is a billion dollar industry. The influence is overwhelming.

I haven't seen the documentary and cannot wait to watch it. This seems much more interesting than the contrived fashion reality shows that have been on TV.

Vogue Cover Racist?

Just when we thought that only size 2 and below models could ever grace the cover of Vogue there seems to be hope! Well only if you are a 6 foot 8 inches 250 pound professional basketball player. Vogue's April Shape issue features Lebron James and Gisele Bündchen on the cover. Most notably Lebron is the first black man to grace the cover Vogue but not without a bit of controversy.

After the release of the cover, some people believe that Lebron's expression and mannerism reflects the image of King Kong. The fact that he's holding Gisele, a white woman, some believe reinforces the stereotype of the 'dangerous black man.' The photo has disturbed a few people although it is important to note that Lebron James does not agree with this hype and dismisses the controversy.

When I first saw the cover I did not get even the slightest idea that the photo was at all racially offensive. Of course I may not be in tune to many subtleties that others may be aware of but on first glance I only saw an athlete showing energy (his 'game face') and a model smiling and at his side. She looks far from frightened or unwilling to be there. Personally I feel that reading too closely to something like this brings bad publicity that wouldn't normally be there.