By the Grace of Vogue

Again, I am late with the news here, but I only recently saw The September Issue - the documentary following the production of - yes - the September issue of Vogue being put together. I loved every single second - and what I loved most of all were the two British women at its heart.

Firstly, the ice-queen/edna from The Incredibles herself, Anna Wintour.

Since watching the film, I've taken in times of crisis to asking myself 'what would Wintour do?' - here is a woman who would never cry at work, never care if someone didn't like her, and would certainly not worry a jot about being seen as cold or uncaring - as long as the job got done. I am just sad she chooses to wear so much fur. It's unappealing. However, I don't doubt she could catch, slaughter and skin the animal herself, so she probably isn't scared of the animal rights brigade.

The other star of the show is Grace Coddington, the ex-model who's been the creative pulse of Vogue for 20 years. Anna describes her as a creative genius - and watching her style a fashion shoot at Versailles is breathtaking - she has an incredible feel for every detail. Plus, she is a hilarious woman. I would love have afternoon tea with her, or visit her house in the Hamptons and meet all her cats.

As a Brit in New York myself, I am fascinated by their success - but not surprised. Their Britishness makes them seem more assertive and decisive somehow, compared with the airy fairy attitude of some of their colleagues. People in New York always say how 'smart' they think Brits are because of the accent. Team that with a no-bullshit attitude and some glowering, and you've got a killer combination ready to dominate fashion publishing.

A friend of mine said she rushed out to buy British Vogue as soon as she had seen The September Issue - only to be bitterly disappointed by its contents. I have to say I think American Vogue has the edge - there are even articles in there with words and everything - real journalism in between the pretty pictures. I love love love fashion and people like Grace Coddington who inhabit it so completely and purely and with a sense of humor inspire me no end.

My guitar hero

It's probably the most obvious thing to say at the moment, bearing in mind the Jett-mania which seems to have swept the world since the release of the Runaways film, but I am still going to dedicate today's best thing to Joan Jett. Watching the film, I was completely in awe of a teenage girl who could live the rock n roll dream to its fullest, who dressed so completely her own way and who really did beat the boys at their own game.

Women in rock is thankfully a well-worn path now, but there are still shamefully few female guitarists who compete in that Hendrix/Clapton/Slash league. In fact, Joan Jett and Joni Mitchell were the only two women featured in Rolling Stone's 100 greatest guitarists poll a few years ago. Is this because women aren't inspired to play the guitar in that very male tradition? Or is it because women's pop music is more collaborative - not allowing for the attention grabbing geeeetar solo favored by their male counterparts? Maybe it's because guitarists are a bit geeky and all that obsessional stuff about types of guitars and pedals doesn't appeal to many girls. Lita Ford played lead in the Runaways - but Joan played rhythm guitar - and always seemed to be the beating heart of the band.

I wonder if this film will encourage young girls to pick up the guitar and learn to play - and I mean really play. I always dreamed of being in a band when I was 15, but I completely lacked the discipline and confidence needed to take it to any level beyond after school pub discussions. What impresses me the most about the young JJ is that she took Bowie, T-Rex and the Pistols and rampaged head first into the dirty music business taking no shit from anyone. She never once seemed to think she couldn't do it. Her stance, her sneer, her raw power unlike any other female musician before her - she made the blueprint. My favorite bit of the film, incidentally was the beautiful Crimson and Clover segment which I won't discuss in more detail, in case you haven't yet seen the film. It's probably one of the most romantic (lesbian) moments in 21st century cinema. Hmmm - there probably haven't been that many admittedly - but let's start a list!

It had to be you!

I've come to terms with the fact that When Harry Met Sally is one of my favorite films. This has recently been confirmed to me as I've listened several times to an amazing Radio 4 documentary celebrating 20 years since the film's release. It shames me to note that I cried both times JUST LISTENING TO THE DOCUMENTARY not even watching the film itself! Of course, when I watch the film I laugh and cry in equal measure. I had a copy on VHS which (together with Gone With the Wind) got me through 9 months living in one of Britain's most depressing places. I am an unabashed romantic - and also someone who has often questioned whether men and women can be proper friends - and I mean friendships in which there has never been ANY attraction on either side. Now, I think it's possible - but it's a lot rarer then people would have you believe.

Another reason for my renewed love of When Harry Met Sally is it's New York setting. It's never classified as a 'New York' film, but living here now I feel it couldn't have been set anywhere else - especially at the tail end of the 1980s. Harry and Sally relocate from Chicago to the big apple at the start of the film. They are young, upwardly mobile and dead set on independence - a big theme of the era.

An interesting point made by one contributor to the documentary: even though WHMS is so popular, we have seen a degeneration in romantic comedy movies since its release. The film was aimed at both men and women - the wise cracking relationship between the couple appealing to both sexes. Sally's character in particular was complex and real - a world away from the dumb 'anywoman' characters in Judd Apatow pictures for example. Nowadays we are force-fed bland rom-coms starring Amy Adams - and they are exclusively aimed at women. I wish the documentary was still online for you to listen to - but alas no. You'll just have to make do with the film itself.

P.s geeky fan fact alert - When Harry Met Sally was the first time the phrase 'high maintenance' was used to describe someone!

No Fleas on Me!

My favourite place in the world to be (other than in bed) at the moment is the Brooklyn Flea. This adventure into a world of antiques, vintage clothes and hand-crafted wonders, takes place every weekend in Forte Greene, Brooklyn.

All winter I have enjoyed travelling to the handsome former Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower at One, Hanson Place for several hours of truffling for treasure! As of next weekend, the flea market will be outside on Saturdays, and stay indoors on Sundays. Personally, whilst I love the great outdoors - you can't beat the breath-taking splendour of this building.

It was constructed in the 1920s, when banks liked to show off their wealth (before they started stealing ours). The sheer scale of the place is incredible - a soaring, vaulted gold dome would be more at home in a European cathedral than a bank, and there's an incredible mosaic map on the far wall, which I presume shows Brooklyn, with Manhattan in the far distance! It's amazing to imagine what it would have been like to be a bank teller working there in the 1930s and 40s. As it stands today, it's one of the best flea markets I have ever been to. Actually, I'd call it an antiques fair as the prices are on the steep side, particularly for clothes. But the stuff is great quality. My favourite finds so far - a 1950s picnic set (a snip at $20), a gorgeous 80s silk summer dress and a book from 1972, entitled 'What Makes Men Tick'.. more of which to come in a later post!