I know I love what I do because I can’t stop reading books on fashion, even during my free time. On a recent holiday, I read “D.V.”, Diana Vreeland’s personal memoir. It’s a quirky book that feels like having a conversation with Diana herself. Her glamorous world of fashion, travel, and remarkable personalities pulls you in, making you wonder what it would be like to live her life.
Another book I couldn’t put down was “The House of Gucci”. It tells the fascinating story of how Guccio Gucci built the Gucci brand, and how his son turned it into a global luxury brand. Reading about the family’s loss of the business and the murder of Maurizio Gucci felt like diving into a thrilling business drama.
But today, I want to talk about “Grace,” the autobiography of Vogue’s Creative Director, Grace Coddington. She gained fame from the film “The September Issue.” Like many others, I was captivated by this feisty 72-year-old woman who often clashed with Vogue’s editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour. I grabbed her book as soon as it was available, and it did not disappoint. She is genuine, funny, and brilliant, just like in the film. Her life stories and journey to becoming Vogue’s Creative Director are truly fascinating. Grace has worked with many top fashion photographers and produced iconic spreads that continue to inspire. Despite her success, she remains genuine and down-to-earth.
Grace began her career as a model for Vogue, working with photographers like Steven Meisel and Bruce Weber, and became friends with Vidal Sassoon, known for her iconic haircuts like the Five Point Cut and Pixie. After modeling, she started as a junior fashion editor at British Vogue in 1968. In her book, she shares behind-the-scenes details of photo shoots from that era, the tight budgets, and working with different photographers and models. She also discusses fashion in the 60s, 70s, and 80s, and the rise of famous designers like Yves Saint Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld.
Grace first worked with Anna Wintour in 1985 when Anna became the editor of British Vogue. She later worked briefly as a fashion director at Calvin Klein but returned to Vogue when Anna became the editor-in-chief in 1987. They have been collaborating ever since.
One of Grace’s notable works is the Alice in Wonderland spread, featuring many designers and photographed by Annie Leibovitz. Now at 72, Grace embraces aging, saying it’s fine to have bags under the eyes and a few lines on the face. She believes seventy is the new fifty.
“The September Issue” made Grace famous, although she was initially reluctant to be filmed or interviewed due to her private nature. Eventually, she agreed and became the film’s star. If you haven’t seen it yet, “The September Issue” is a must-watch!
If you’re curious about the workings behind the world’s biggest fashion magazine, “Grace” is a fantastic read. It’s filled with amusing drawings and plenty of photos from her modeling days and the fashion shoots she describes. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Do you enjoy fashion biographies? If so, which one is your favorite?