Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel

by Renee Sunden, Fashion Publishing

Take a break with fashion royalty!

With the end of the semester looming we’re all stressed out with final projects. We’re all in the need of a little break, so why not make your way to the Angelika Film Center or theLincoln Plaza Cinemas for Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel. The documentary is directed by Diana Vreeland’s granddaughter-in-law, Lisa Immordino Vreeland. It tells the story of Diana’s rise to magazine royalty, having been an editor of both Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue. Through photos, videos, and interviews, her story unfolds, from her incredible beginnings keeping company with Diaghilev and Nijinsky of Ballet Russe fame, to apprenticing with Coco Chanel, to her favorite time, the Roaring Twenties. But it was in New York where she made her name. Happily married, but restless, she began working at Harper’s Bazaar and quickly moved up the ranks. Here, her life and career really took off.

With interviews with the likes of Angelica Houston, Diane Von Furstenberg, and Bruce Weber, her impressive career unfolds. She is credited to introducing some of fashion’s biggest names such as Lauren Bacall, Twiggy, and Cher to name a few, and of course the first to unveil the bikini in the 1950s. After leaving magazines, she revamped the Metropolitan’s Museum of Art’s Costume Institute bringing us some of the greatest exhibitions of fashion.

Sprinkled throughout the film, we see old interviews of Vreeland and her spunky personality shines through. Old movie clips with characters inspired by her fill the empty spaces, often awarding a few laughs. The actress Annette Miller, whom says some of Vreeland’s most memorable and often chuckle-worthy quotes, does voice over. There are some kooky and questionable moments, but overall you are left inspired. So take a break, have some popcorn, and enjoy yourself.