Straight documentary about someone I've never heard of on a subject I know little about; fashion people. This may be the best, most well crafted, documentary I have ever seen. She was a big hitter in her industry, editor of Harper's Bazaar and Vogue, later did fashion exhibits for the MET. Naturally she was in the light of the stars and published the first pictures of Mick Jagger, discovered Twiggy and was Jackie O's consultant. All this is fine and could make for an interesting tale.
But this thing is so good! Here's why: at some point she was interviewed by George Plimpton for a biography. These tapes are used to tell her story in her own words, you almost never get this much real material to work with. It is supplemented with talking heads of her family and friends, other captains of her industry, but they are only a supplement, whereas most films rely on them to move the story along; she gets to fill it out herself. There is also a ton of footage of her in her own environment, in celebrity environments and in other interviews. She was characterized in a number of films and they include appropriate parts here to amuse and inform us as to her breadth of influence. The film was directed by someone with her last name, Vreeland, so there is a sympathetic hand at the helm who also had the wherewithall or clout to amass all this footage from a variety of sources. She was a positive, self-made queen who celebrates hard work, individuality and following your heart.
I'm really impressed with this as a documentary and, oh yeah, the lady was interesting too.
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