Grace Coddington is Life and Other Lessons Learned from The September Issue

I know I'm eight years late, but I finally got around to watching The September Issue, and I must say it is Amazing! Watching it in the midst of creating my own September-caliber issue was so hopeful, informative and inspiring. It opened up the creative process of the magazine and caused critique within my own work and progress so far.

One of my favorite parts of the movie was Grace Coddington. I LOVE GRACE CODDINGTON. Grace's persona is much smaller than that of larger than life Andre Leon Talley, and some of the other more notable editors, so it's easy to not realize what a great contribution she is to the magazine. Grace has a natural ability and eye for fashion and styling and it really is her life. Watching her passionately fight for her spreads to be inclcuded, slightly breakdown when they get overlooked, and her not too in your face but still beaming smirk of happiness once she realizes that the Septmeber Issue was essentially her issue, helped make the movie so much of what it is.

Watching the September Issue has totally rejuvianted me, and I feel extremely inspired and motivated to produce an amazing, stellar issue of Vogue, that more than anything shares the Super Power of Fashion.

And For the Record, the film just reconfirmed my belief all things Anna Wintour.

Fashion Week Day Seven - The Big Six - Christy Turlington: The Supermodel Next Door

Fashion Week Day Six - The Big Six - Claudia Schiffer: The German Bombshell

Fashion Week Day Five - The Big Six - Linda Evangelista: Supermodel Chameleon

"We don't wake up for less than $10,000 a day."

Linda Evangelista was the bold supermodel who took a risk that paid off. A native Canadian, Linda was discovered in 1978 at a Miss Teen Niagara pageant, and quickly made it to the New York and Paris scene. In the late 1980s she chopped off her hair and sported a shorter boy-style do. The move had her dropped from that season's biggest runways shows, but it eventually brought her to the cover of multiple magazines, and inspired women across the nation to change their hair too. Over time there were more dramatic hairstyle changes as well as more runway, magazine and ad appearances leading her to utter that now infamous quote. Still modeling, Evangelista returned the model to its rightful place - the cover of Vogue - in 2006, the first non-singer or actress to appear in a year, and in 2007 signed multiple year exclusive contract with L'Oreal and was featured in Prada's Fall 2008 campaigns.








Tomorrow the German bombshell, Claudia Schiffer

Fashion Week Day Four - The Big Six - Cindy Crawford: The All American Supermodel

"Cindy Changed the perception of the 'sexy American girl' from classic blue eyed blonde to a more sultry brunette with brains, charm and professionalism to spare."

To this day Cindy Crawford amazes me. From shucking corn in her home of DeKalb to hosting MTV's House of Style to marrying Richard Gere, Cindy has redefined American Beauty and sex appeal. Cindy has had over 400 magazine appearances, campaigns with Pepsi and Revlon, film appearances and of course that signature mole above her lip which is just a small mark of her beauty. Now a celebrity spokesperson, and the designer of her own home collection, her beauty is here to stay. Take a look at that beauty in these pictures with the full spread to follow after Fashion Week.







Tomorrow fashion's chameleon, Linda Evangelista

Fashion Week Day Three - The Big Six - Kate Moss: The Anti-Supermodel

"It was just the time. It was a swing from more buxom girls like Cindy Crawford and people were shocked to see what they called a 'waif'. What can you say? How many times can you say 'I'm not anorexic'?"

At five feet six and a half inches, Kate Moss may be shorter than most models, but she certainly keeps up with them. She was discovered in 1988 at age 14 and ushered in the waif look of the 90's with a major Calvin Klein campaign in 1993. An alternative to the rest of the Big Six with their taller and curvaceous figures, Kate held her own and led an impressive career that covered big advertisements with Versace, David Yurman, Dolce & Gabbana to name a few, and the cover of countless magazines. She was named Vogue/VH1's Model of the Year in 1994. Now the designer of her own Topshop Line and running her own company, Moss will be around for a while. So, who cares if she dabbled with Cocaine.






You can see Kate's finished spread after Fashion Week, but tomorrow check out the woman who made the mole sexy, Cindy Crawford.

Fashion Week Day Two - The Big Six - Naomi Campbell: Modeling's Bad Girl and Alexander McQueen

“Models need to earn their stripes - I just think the term is used a little too loosely. Kate Moss is obviously a supermodel but, after Gisele [Bündchen], I don’t think there’s been one”

Naomi Campbell is modeling's bad girl. From phone-throwing to very candid and honest quotes she dishes up attitude on and off the runway. Making her first modeling appearance at age seven Campbell shows no signs of slowing down, recently joining D&G’s new fragrance campaign. In her heyday in the 90’s Naomi was everywhere, taking part in high profile ad campaigns, to major music videos and the more than occasional mention in the tabloid pages. Throughout the course of her career, she has appeared on over 100 magazine covers, Super Indeed. Enjoy these pics from her career, and after Fashion Week return to see her finished spread.









Today Fashion Icon Alexander McQueen was found dead. In his short tenure in the industry, McQueen brought his strong sense of British imagination to the American runways delivering quirky, chic, and impeccable designs. McQueen was a Super force in fashion design, and accordingly I find it appropriate to honor him in the issue using none other than his favorite celebrity clients, Sarah Jessica Parker and Lady GaGa just to name a few who have served as both models and muses for the brilliant designer.


Tomorrow, Modeling's other Bad Girl, Kate Moss.