Kirby’s Issues With The September Issue

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My mother always told me to think positively, but never get my hopes too high about something. Seeing that I am the rebellious child in the family, obedience isn’t necessarily my forte, as I tend to get super excited for things that usually crash and burn. Point blank: R.J. Cutler’s The September Issue.

I have mixed feelings about Anna Wintour. I think we all do. I love her because she’s corporate and decisive; after-all, she has kept Vogue afloat since 1988. I hate her because her conservatism really hinders the potential of Vogue and the potential of fashion in general. But there is so much more to Vogue than Anna Wintour, is there not? I thought the purpose of a documentary was to document reality. If you call R.J Cutler’s shoddy filming and manipulative editing ‘reality,’ we’ve got some serious issues on our hands. If you pick all the clips where Anna seems cold, distant and heartless and splice them into a montage, yes, everyone is going to think she is a bitch. Again, should you pull all of Grace Coddington’s moments of undermined superiority, you automatically assume she does all the work and Anna alters and takes credit. But in reality, Anna probably agrees with Grace more often than not and Grace is probably a demanding sod. Manipulation? I think so.

Speaking of reality, is launching a September issue really that lax? Where’s the hustle? Where’s the stress? Where’s the writers slaving over deadlines? WHERE ARE THE WRITERS!? Oh, and please tell me the Vogue offices aren’t that drama free and boring. I realize that David Frankel’s The Devil Wears Prada was only inspired by Vogue/Anna Wintour and is a silver-screen dramatization, but it’s sad when a movie seems more realistic than a documentary. Really, Mr. Cutler, you made Vogue seem like another, no big deal, walk in the park. I highly doubt that is so.

All in all, had I not been slightly tipsy and in good company at The September Issue, it would be safe to say that last night was a complete and total failure. But hey, at least I learned a few important things: Reality does not exist (oh, how profound of me), Grace Coddington needs a serious makeover, jenky Long Island girls are worthy of manning the Vogue reception desk and mom is always right. Let’s just hope Fashion Week let’s me down easy if letting down is in the cards.

P.S. Daniel and I both agree, Coco Before Chanel looks like shit. Our opinion radiated throughout the Lincoln Center AMC too.