The September issues of our favorite fashion sites and magazines have given us countless ways to reinvent ourselves this season. The Editors reponsible for dictating what to wear and what age to wear it have all followed in the fabulous footsteps of Diana Vreeland: the originator of today's concept of a Fashion Editor.
This Fall will be marked by the release of the documentary The Eye Has To Travel by Lisa Immordino Vreeland. The book of the same title is also making its debut. Diana Vreeland (D.V. as she was affectionately known) was responsible for the "Why Don't You" feature in Harper's Bazaar where she was Editor-in-Chief before spending the second half of her career as Editor-in-Chief at Vogue. D.V. left an indelible mark on The Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum by shaping it into the institution it is today; styling the early exhibits at The Costume Institute and influencing the shape of exhibits to come.
Reinvention for D.V. meant playing up her strengths. She grew up aware that she didn't fit the standard for beauty. Having a beautiful mother who frequently reminded her of her lack of outward beauty propelled D.V. to focus on making the most of her looks through the creation of her unique style. She was a rebel. Although far from a classic beauty, she created a look which was alluring: slicked back hair, monochromatic clothes (always black), large scale ethnic jewelry, and red lips. Then there was the personality. In her case, joie de vivre, humor and an impeccable eye for beauty.
This Fall I hear D.V. saying "why don't you..."reinvent. Assess what is working and what isn't. Play up and build on strength.
"Never fear being vulgar, just boring"
-D.V.
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