The Importance of Being Fashionable

I finally saw The September Issue last weekend. I was very much looking forward to it, and was not disappointed – except I could be greedy like my friend Lulue who thought there should have been even more fashion.

As far as a glimpse into what it takes to bring a fashion issue together, I thought it was great, being particularly fascinated by the power play between Anna Wintour and her fashion editors: gasp! Someone’s pages got the chop to make room for another’s! Grace Coddington (and some of her colleagues) were especially shocked when the ‘best’ DPS from a Twenties-styled shoot was axed, but I could see immediately that Wintour was right to do so. As good a shot as it was, it simply did not fit in with the others.

Wintour is criticised for being cold and ruthless, but it is obvious she is an extremely busy woman who has to make decisions expeditiously. Interestingly she states ‘being decisive’ is her greatest strength. To echo Lulue again, how many people can say that?

…“just because you love fashion, it doesn’t mean you’re stupid”.

I was also touched when she spoke of her erudite family, and how they belittled her accomplishments by condescending to be ‘amused’ by them.

As she declares early in the documentary, “just because you love fashion, it doesn’t mean you’re stupid”. Fashion has always been a popular form of self-expression, and it is not immoral to admire beautiful fabrics, or the genius of designers who are passionate about their work – and the legion of artists behind them, whether they are textile designers, journalists, or mere pattern cutters.

In fact, I don’t think one should ever underestimate the importance of bringing a little life, colour and happiness into people’s drab lives – even if it’s through the ‘frivolous’ medium of fashion.