The September issue is the autumn edition of a fashion magazine, traditionally its biggest of the year, because it previews the new season’s clothes and draws the most advertising. For the editors it is the annual marathon; for readers, a light arm workout.
American Vogue set the benchmark. Its September 2007 issue ran to 840 pages, described at the time as the biggest magazine ever published and weighing just under five pounds. In 2012 the title beat its own record with 916 pages, marking its 120th anniversary with Lady Gaga on the cover. The 2007 edition also became a film: R.J. Cutler’s documentary The September Issue, presented at the Sundance Film Festival in 2009, followed nine months of meetings, shoots and travel behind it and made the working partnership between Anna Wintour and creative director Grace Coddington famous well beyond the fashion crowd.