Anna Wintour opens up (a little) in R.J. Cutler's latest film.

When we worked for Condé Nast, one of our most memorable encounters occurred at the office building’s entrance. As we fumbled in our Coach bag for our key card, none other than Anna Wintour spun through the revolving doors, wearing her signature oversized shades and immaculate bob. The entire row of turnstiles that just a second ago blocked our entry appeared to magically open for her as she sailed through, heading straight for the elevator. We were too busy gawking at the Vogue editrix to think of sneaking in behind her.

This was a few years ago, around the time The September Issue — which hit theaters nationwide this past weekend — was being filmed. R.J. Cutler’s documentary, which focuses on the making of Vogue’s record-setting September 2007 issue, offers an intriguing glimpse into the ways fashion magazines achieve perfection — whether through Photoshop or other means.

But The September Issue delves deeper than glossy images and glamorous clothes. At its core, it’s a story about the curious and complex relationship between Wintour and her longtime creative director, former model Grace Coddington. Wintour’s curt exchanges with her editors sharply contrast with Coddington’s warm-hearted interactions. One sequence, featuring a particularly stunning photo shoot at the Palace of Versailles, left us wondering which was more shocking: Coddington coaxing a model to eat while wearing haute couture, or the price tag of the shoot.

Watching the fanciful event at Versailles and witnessing Wintour discard $50,000-worth of shooting without hesitation seems like a work of a fiction in today’s economic realities.

What do you think? Do you find today’s budget-conscious fashion spreads any less inspiring than the grand shoots of just a few years ago? Tell us below!

Photo credit: Mike Coppola

Tags: Anna Wintour, coach, creative director, Fashion, Grace Coddington, longtime creative director, longtime creative director former model, Mass media, Mike Coppola, model, Palace of Versailles, Publishing, The September Issue, USD, Vogue, Wintour