In and Out of Vogue

by Grace Mirabella

The author recounts her rise from Macy's saleswoman to creator of Mirabella magazine, describing her celebrated dismissal as editor of Vogue and offering a behind-the-scenes look at New York's beau monde. 35,000 first printing. Tour.

Genres: Fashion, Biography Memoir, Nonfiction, Memoir, New York

257 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1995

Reviews

[Raquel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Grace Mirabella was the down-to-earth, no-nonsense editor of Vogue in the '70s. She favored the clean lines of Halston, the smoking jackets of Yves Saint Laurent, the American sportswear of Bill Blass. She introduced health coverage to Vogue and fresh-faced girl-next-door models, and geared it toward the modern working woman. She then started her own magazine Mirabella - after Conde Nast gave her the boot and replaced her with Anna Wintour.

Mirabella's insights into the publishing world and her philosophies on fashion are interesting, and the book offers a mini history of fashion that spans the three decades Mirabella worked. I found the more personal anecdotes a little smug (like she was so much smarter and cooler than all the other fashion folk), and her tone often veers toward whiny, particularly when discussing Anna Wintour. The way Conde Nast dumped her was certainly appalling, but Mirabella's views on fashion were dated. Fashion is not static; it is fluid; it mirrors our changing culture, mores and times. Mirabella refused to accept that, and -- like her predecessor, the great, eccentric Diana Vreeland -- she paid the price.

[Ary Chest · Rating 5 out of 5]

A more fitting title would be In and Out and Up and Down and Sideways of Vogue.

She really had so many different positions in the legendary magazine. It was nice to read about the history of Vogue, and all the jobs within it that helped support the fashion industry.

Yes, there were tons of gossip about famous names like Diana Vreeland and other former editors, but it didn't seem so contrived. I enjoyed reading about what made these past women tick, and how their ideas helped shape the identity of the magazine. Diana Vreeland wasn't really that good at her job, but she still came through as a household name of her own. Who knew?

There were some times Grace herself seemed a little ignorant of what she talked about. She refuted the idea of grunge, yet a lot of her taste and influencer is the reason that era came to be, in the first place. I still appreciated her vulnerability and willingness to talk about what she could and couldn't do well.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a collector of Vogue magazines for 30+ years, I am fascinated with the legends and history of this periodical. I know quite a bit about the legendary Diana Vreeland and the current Anna Wintour, but was lacking in knowledge of the in between editor. Now, I know.

Fascinating account of the business of fashion magazines filled with glamour and intrigue.
Name dropping is de rigeur. Enjoyed this saga of Grace Mirabella's rise to the top at Vogue and her subsequent launch of the woman's style magazine- Mirabella.

[Cleaver Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read for those interested in the real behind the scenes workings of women’s magazine publishing, particularly in the world of Conde Nast. Does nothing to dispel the oft told rumours of the ‘bitchiness’ of the land of Vogue. However Grace Mirabella comes out at the end as a woman of honour who was willing to stand up for her beliefs and values in the oft shallow world of fashion journalism and publishing.

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thought I'd dabble with a bit of fashion light reading. It really confirmed what I'd seen in Devil Wears Prada. If all the names were taken out of the book I think it would have been half the size! However, the last three chapters went some way to redeeming it, as Grace woke up to how patriarchal the whole fashion world was and started introducing normal models, wearable clothes and articles by and for women. It was interesting to see that as she matured she wanted to take Vogue in that direction but as usual the 'men in grey suits' didn't like it and pushed her out. She then started her own magazine but again it was a man (Mr Murdoch) that sabotaged it. If you're interested in fashion in the 1990s, it's one for you.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a dry and very detailed account of the rise of Grace Mirabella, her tenure at Vogue, the politics within the fashion publishing industry, and the fickle nature of the fashion industry. Reading it now, almost 30 years after it’s publishing, it’s clear to see where Mirabella had blind spots (especially in regards to streetwear, and to the close of the couture era), and really interesting to hear her take on what she did NOT do well as a publishing director.

This is a good account of the 70’s-90s fashion ecosystem, especially if you want to hear the “other side” to the story of Anna Wintour’s rise to power, and to hear how many countless editors dedicated their lives to the magazine leading up to her appointment.

[Madelyn Kaasa · Rating 4 out of 5]

In and Out of Vogue is all about Grace Mirabella. Grace Mirabella worked at Vogue for 38 years. In those 38 years she served as editor in chief for 17 years. During her years of being an editor she completely changed Vogue, and increased the revenue of the magazine to $79.5 million. Her goal was to make the magazine better for everyone. She wanted everyone to want to read it and not only for the elite. During her journey people doubted her because she didn’t come from a high end family, and was from New Jersey. Grace Mirabella impacted American culture, and society because she gave Vogue a more casual feel. She made people feel better about themselves, and gave them something that they would actually want to read. I would recommend this text to people because I thought it was very interesting. It was interesting reading about her rise up and downfall at Vogue.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful read on the history and inside track of working at the #1 fashion magazine, Vogue during the 1970s and 80s. Grace Mirabella captures the true essense of the fashion industry and the scenes of Seventh Avenue during those decades. She then writes of the concept, rise and fall of Mirabella magazine under the umbrella of Murdoch.

Key mentions: Diana Vreeland, Anne Wintour, Rupert Murdoch, Halston, Calvin Klein, Yves St Laurent, Bill Blass

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another editor-in-chief from the Conde Nast fold covered. Sadly, Grace Mirabella's memoir has not aged well in comparison to other fashion-related tomes I have read recently. While she provides a great history lesson on American Vogue, Mirabella's approach to editing Vogue made her dependent on someone else (Alex Liberman), which in turn makes her appear very passive in her approach. Her years of helming both Vogue and Mirabella are given less attention than the early parts of her career and the Vogue history. I feel like I learned more about Diana Vreeland than Grace Mirabella.

[Frances Littell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A work biography - Grace Mirabella is a former editor of Vogue magazine. Gossipy and fun.

[Amber Renee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Um, well i think this book was very much like a child. (All over the place.) i think she did a kind of boring job at luring off into other details. which i didnt find myself to care about much anything else beside inside of Vogue and what working with Diana was like at the time for her. I wish she stayed more on those topics and framed more details. I enjoyed that she spoke up for her career in my facets of her life and steered it into the direction she wanted it to go. i felt like she had become very silent over the years. Which then made me want to put the book down faster.

anyway, i got throught it.
and for a small price you couldn't beat it. i snagged this baby on amazon for a penny! lol just paid the 4 dollar shipping. so pretty darn cheap and the book was in great condition!


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[Kayleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found it interesting to read how Vogue came to be and what kind of reader they were aiming at, it's no wonder the editors of Vogue are so out of touch. Fashion in general is out of touch with the actual clothing women wear.

Other then that there wasn't any real insights. She doesn't give good portraits of people. It's just an okay book.

[Jacqueline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got a taste of what it would be like to work in the fashion magazine industry.