NZIFF 2012 Review: ‘Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel’

Diana Vreeland was perhaps the most influential person in 20th century fashion. This very engaging and entertaining documentary shows us why.

Based mainly on interviews she gave to the writer who helped with her memoir, the film takes us on a journey from Paris of the Belle Epoque, through New York’s Roaring Twenties and beyond.

Vreeland was often outrageous and her comments here are testament to that. Her name–dropping is shameless and she knew everyone worth knowing (and many not). Through the pages of Harper’s BAZAAR, which she edited from 1937-1962, her unconventional sense of style inspired a generation of women. When she moved to Vogue in 1963, she took that same edginess there, transforming the magazine into something to be coveted.

Yet she wasn’t the nicest woman. The interviewees are all clearly admirers, but none fail to point out her absolute certainty in her own correctness, and her need for things to be done her way. Even Vreeland’s sons are not that complimentary about her parenting skills. I got the sense mothering was not something that interested her much – no style.

And it’s all about style. Vreeland admitted to being dissatisfied by her appearance. Her own mother considered her an ugly duckling and that seems to have seared itself into her consciousness. To compensate, she transformed herself into an icon of style and elegance to be admired, flaws and all.

This is an extraordinary portrait of a unique woman, who made something as frivolous as fashion into something important. You gotta admire that, especially when you consider the times in which she worked. And she worked hard. At 65 she took over the position of advisor to the Metropolitan Museum’s Costume Institute and made the annual clothing display an event to be anticipated and celebrated.

I enjoyed this film very much and I’m adding Vreeland to my list of ‘Dead People I’d Like To Meet’. Her outrageous comments and acerbic remarks would make any party.

8.5/10

http://youtu.be/HP3wsNdANhM