In Vogue: The Editor's Eye

Eight Legendary Fashion Editors from Vogue over the last 65 years
 Left to right:
Photograph by Annie Leibovitz

My folk heroes!!! With the exception of the delightful 99 year old Babs Simpson, I have followed all of these women's storied careers via their inestimable contribution to Vogue.

Last night HBO debuted In Vogue: The Editor's Eye, in commemoration of the magazines 120 years in print.  The documentary, aims to answer the question, "What does a fashion editor do?".

If the editors appear stymied, its because what they do is not written or easily verbalized. They create art by choreographing and to a degree, manipulating fashion, exotic locations and their chosen models to give life and history to their often intoxicating visions.

It was delicious and fascinating to see the enormous passion and discipline it takes to walk in their shoes.  Naturally, I loved it all.

We hear quite a bit from Editor-in- Chief Anna Wintour, who  is generous with her praise for her team of fashion Lieutenants.  She may have the final say and an unerring eye, but I'm not sure she would be as successful in the trenches as these women are.

Also featured is the ever divine Contributer-at-large Hamish Bowles, designers Vera Wang (looking fabulous and having worked for Polly Mellen  in her 20's, someone who is apparently still suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome),  Alber Elbaz, Marc Jabobs and actors Sarah Jessica Parker and Nicole Kidman.  Homage is of course paid to the most infamous Editor-in-Chief of all Diana Vreeland, who like Wintour, is always looked forward, never back.

It's fascinating to see how Vogue often had to reinvent itself to change with sweeping cultural shifts; life post WWII, The Sixties, Feminism, Grunge, the creation of, "The Supermodel" and more recently, our obsession with Celebrities, who more often than not, grace Vogue's covers these days.

All in all, an absolute must see for anyone who loves fashion.  I'm already looking forward to watching it again.

That's all...

xox,
DD