Her Grace

R.J. Cutlers documentary The September Issue goes deep inside the offices of Vogue magazine as Anna Wintour and her minions assemble their biggest issue ever. We talk to Wintours creative director (and former Vogue model), Grace Coddington, the films not-so-unlikely star. You seemed to really enjoy having the film crew in your office. They were all so charming and nice. They really seduced me. Or believe me, I wouldnt have been in it. I used them to my advantage wherever I could. After seeing the movie do you think viewers will find the fashion world more or less sympathetic? I hope they see the hard work that goes into it. Ugh, if one more person mentions The Devil Wears Prada! Can we get over it? Did you see it? I cant even remember whether I saw it or not because there was so much talk about it. How could [author Lauren Weisberger] take a job working with Anna and then write that? I feel thats so disloyal and cheap. But, you know, the girl made a fortune. Hey, what can I say? How would you characterize your dynamic with Anna? We understand each other very well, and we know how far to push each other. She doesnt want things to come easy. She constantly challenges you. I think you have to be quite cold and harsh about decisions to edit. And thats what somehow she does. Is there anything missing from the film? No, I think its very real. If they had shown more, it would have become repetitive. We do spend an awful lot of time standing looking at a rack of clothes. But I would have liked to see my cat. They came to my house, and they filmed my cat, and I swear [the director] said, Oh, he winked at me, and I got it. But I didnt see that in the movie! Dont tell Anna, but youre totally the star. Well, Im big and red. You cant miss me! Send a letter to the editor about this article.