Once in a while I find a biography that interests me, and so I recently read Grace: a Memoir by Grace Coddington, who is the creative director at Vogue, and a former model. I found Grace to be an interesting figure with an amazing career span; this July will mark her 45th year with the magazine. She is Scottish born, and began work at British Vogue in 1968 after a career in modelling. She remained there until 1987, when she moved to America, and after a brief stint with Calvin Klein, began work at American Vogue. Grace became a more recognizable public figure after the film The September Issue was released, which was based on the making of the 2007 fall issue, in which she plays a prominent role.
The book is sprinkled throughout with her amusing sketches and is a quick read, despite its 333 pages. She is a very down-to-earth writer, and calls it like she sees it, but is quick to show her vulnerabilities. In her descriptions of Anna Wintour, the fearless, “take no prisoners” leader of Vogue, Grace quotes a friend who says “The great thing about Anna is that she doesn’t care whether people like her or not.” Grace, while not so sure this is true, does admit that “Anna never seems to falter when criticized. I care whether anyone– from the mailman to the dry cleaner– likes me. Maybe that is my weakness… But not Anna’s.” Personally, I like a writer who isn’t afraid admit her foibles.
For an up close and personal look into the world of fashion, check this out. I was surprised to also see that Grace’s descriptions of Anna Wintour show a good deal of respect for Anna and her ability to remake the magazine into the success it is today. Grace also shows a compassionate side of Anna, unlike the cold hearted witch that Meryl Streep plays in the “The Devil Wears Prada”, which was nice to discover.