by Jennifer N.
Since the release of the September Issue, a documentary all about the making of one issue of Vogue magazine and also about the ice queen behind it, Anna Wintour (editor-in-chief), Vogue has been in the press a lot lately. I actually saw the documentary a few weeks ago and found it honest, shocking, and very, very interesting. As someone who waits month after month for the latest issue, I had no idea how much work actually goes into the making of one single issue. Since its release in the late nineteenth century, Vogue has become a fashion bible. It has even been said that it created a whole new realm of photography: fashion photography; it also made models into celebrities, not just clothing hangers. Vogue also plays a significant role in fashion designers’ lives. Whenever a photo appears in the magazine, the magazine “cites” who designed what, thus exposing the designer to the magazine’s followers. Although I do not spend thousands of dollars on Prada bags and Christian Louboutin shoes, I still admire the beautiful photography and dreamy clothes. As someone who appreciates and practices photography Vogue is my go to for inspiration – the sets and lighting are always very artistic and always make a bold statement.
Vogue was the first fashion magazine that made socialites famous for wearing pretty clothes and partying and made actresses into models. The articles are not just about fashion, but also about culture and independent women. In the July 2009 issue Vogue featured an article spotlighting Marissa Mayer, a Google executive. The article talked about her job, her drive, and her life outside work. I love reading the articles that feature women who are going beyond the fashion world and doing things for the environment and for the world. In the most recent issue (October 2009) designer Tory Burch visited India to immerse herself in the culture.
Shine Anthony-Dharan, a writer for Culture Kiosque, says, “Vogue has come to represent the gold standard of publications targeting the stylish, culturally sophisticated woman.” During the Depression many women looked to Vogue because the magazine was affordable and it, “brought sophistication and glamour to subscribers whose lives were anything but” (All Experts). While Vogue was conscious of the Depression it also provided women an escape. For a while the magazine’s readers consisted mainly of women who sat around at home “dreaming of a better life” but then, readers started “heading out every morning for work” (All Experts) as the lifestyles that were in the magazine were reflected in everyday life. A former intern at Vogue blogged, “Vogue has a history and a cultural weight that makes it impossible to dismiss and it has always had more serious ambitions than its rivals” (Double X).
i love how you wrote equally about the different takes on Vogue and how it relates to your own life and how you see it perspective-wise. The quotes were great, and since i say the "September Issue" I can totally relate to this blog! New realizations and new perspectives were gained from that movie, and as well from this blog, like how Vogue's photography is almost "dreaming" and "fantasy like" I had never thought that Vogue opened up a new realm for photography, but looking back it's completly true! very good blog jen
ReplyDeleteANNIE DEMANE
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you started out talking about how you saw the September Issue and how you admired the clothes in the magazine because I could totally relate! The way you flowed through your train of thought throughout the block was very clear and it was easy to follow so it made the post very interesting to read.
ReplyDeleteKate
I learned something from this. I had a pre-conceived notion of vogue that is was like "seventeen" or "cosmo" in that it was a very sexually and gossipy based thing, just with a lightly older target audience or somehow classier. I don't know why I thought this, I have no idea where that comes from, but that's what I thought. It's fascinating that they do articles on women that have done extraordinary things, or helped the earth... that's really cool. I thought it ended a tad abruptly, though.
ReplyDeleteI feel similar to Grant in that I previously thought that vogue was a little trashier than it turns out to be. I was also previously unaware of its longevity and the lasting effect it has had since its introduction. You make a big point of the effect it has on people, which is interesting, but I feel as though you could have further elaborated on general points as to how far its influence spreads, but i generally enjoyed it nonetheless.
ReplyDelete-Sam Wells
It was good to see your serious take on the value of Vogue through sharing your personal connection and its social influence. Even for those who don't read the magazine, who can deny its impact?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what is the question at issue for you concerning Vogue. For example, I am really curious what was "shocking" in the documentary. Were your previous assumptions turned upside down?
Or conversely, are there folks out there who doubt the value of Vogue? Do they feel that its influence has been negative?
I'd love to hear what the broader conversation is about Vogue, which will help us to understand why your take on it is unique.
Good stuff, tell us more!