While the mystery of how to make macarons alludes us, there's a new mystery. A Paris Breakfast's watercolor turned up in August Vogue announcing an opening.
R.J.Cutler's documentary, "THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE" and I loved every minute of it.The main diva is editor and chief of Vogue magazine, Anna Wintour. When Wintour says "No" you can hear it round the fashion world. As for Meryl Streep's character in The Devil Wears Prada, a suggestion it was based on Anna Wintour is dismissed by director, RJ Cutler,
"Their offices look alike but Meryl's performance is very theatrical and histrionic. She jumps up and down and throws her coat all over the place. Anna Wintour doesn't need to do that. She is a very economical with her gestures. It is in the nuance, a glance, but you know how she feels. Everyone around her knows how she feels." But the real star of the movie is Wintour's creative director, brilliant Grace Coddington, seen taking copious notes.c/o The September Issue
There's plenty of Paris in the movie, not just New York's Fashion Ave. I particularly loved a scene of Grace in the back seat of a Paris limo recalling that mentor and famed Brit photographer, Norman Parkinson told her, "Never shut your eyes or go to sleep in a car, train, anywhere. You might miss something inspiring..." That's my M.O. too. In Paris I'm too busy looking and being inspired every damn second of the day.
Still from The September Issue
I loved all the scenes of how the "book"/issue is put together.
Still from The September Issue
The constant editing process to come up with the most vibrant issue possible
Scrapbook upon scrapbook of color and trend ideas - it takes a lot of work to get that thing out. Inspiring!
Grace directs the fashion shoots and comes up with ideas at the last minute that save the day.
Still from The September Issue
And leans towards the wildly romantic spread you sometimes see in Vogue.
Care of Vogue Magazine
Grace is a mad cat lover.
Photo by Steven Meisel of look-alike-Grace-model
And formerly a Brit model, so she's been on both sides of the camera.
Care of Vogue Magazine
Plus she draws her cats and co-produced this fabulous cat book - The Catwalk Cats.
Grace loves to give the models treats at the shoot and there's a delicious moment where cherry tarts are on offer (in Paris bien sur) to a model being tied into a tight, tight satin corset - not-to-be-missed! BONJOUR SEPTEMBER!
Bonjour ! I’m Carol Gillott, a former NYer living on Île Saint-Louis in a 21 meter chambre de bonne. As a Paris blogger, travel writer, watercolorist, and photographer, I share my latest escapades so you can walk around the city vicariously in my shoes. To experience even more of the Parisian life, sign up to receive my beautifully Illustrated monthly letters where I paint the Paris your dreams and mail them
to you wherever you are. You can order these letters, along with my art prints, at my Etsy shop.
Describe what you love about France in 3 words. Can we make it 5 words? Eyes, ears, nose, tastebuds + brain. Paris stimulates all my senses constantly. I’m inspired all the time – endlessly surprised and amused. New York doesn’t do it for me anymore…