Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has To Travel

Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has To Travel is an intimate and insightful documentary released in 2011 that offers viewers a captivating and in-depth look into the life and career of Diana Vreeland, a person widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in fashion during the 20th century.

Produced and directed by Lisa Immordino Vreeland, the film elegantly blends interviews, archival footage, photographs, and recreated scenes, thus crafting a visual tapestry as vivacious and innovative as its fiery subject. As the film unfolds, it becomes clear that Diana Vreeland was more than a mere fashion editor; she was indeed a fashion oracle, perpetually ahead of her time and relentlessly redefining concepts of beauty and style.

Beginning with her early life and unconventional upbringing in Paris and New York, the film reveals unexpected and intriguing aspects of Vreeland's persona and evolution. She emerges as a woman who, despite lacking traditional beauty, had an indomitable spirit, an audacious imagination, and an unfailing eye for aesthetic potential. These qualities, coupled with natural charisma and distinctive style, laid the foundation for her meteoric rise in the world of fashion and art.

The film chronicles Vreeland’s career trajectory, starting from her lump sum from the more traditional Harper's Bazaar, where she served as a fashion editor for over 20 years, to her transformative tenure at Vogue, and subsequent role as a consultant at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. Her bold, innovative approach helped shape and elevate fashion journalism, making it an art form—a testament to her belief that fashion wasn't simply about clothes, but rather a profound mirror reflecting society, age, politics, and culture.

This intimate portrait provides numerous accounts and anecdotes from peers, friends, and family, along with industry heavyweights, such as Richard Avedon and David Bailey, both notable photographers who worked closely with Vreeland. Their perspectives offer viewers further insight into Vreeland’s sometimes intimidating, but always uncompromising, vision. Despite the grandeur of the high-fashion world depicted, the film never loses sight of the wit, wisdom, and humanity at the center of Vreeland’s enduring legacy.

Rendering a fascinating blend of poise, audacity, and drama that was Diana Vreeland's life, the film also delves into the less flamboyant, yet equally significant aspects of her personal life. From her loving, albeit at times strained, relationship with her husband to her role as a mother, and from her inspiring resilience in the face of adversity to her sweeping social influence, Vreeland’s narrative is as captivating as it is candid, providing a holistic view of her life's journey.

Beyond the personal anecdotes and professional milestones, the documentary brilliantly showcases Vreeland’s singular aesthetic vision - the Einstein-esque 'eye' that had to travel. Vreeland's fascination with life, people, and exotic cultures was endless. This fascination was reflected not just in her editorial spreads, but also in her bold personal style, and it was this worldly, unapologetically eccentric perspective that set Vreeland apart from the rest.

What gives the film its soul is the clever use of Vreeland's own voice, tapped from audio interviews conducted prior to her death in 1989. Her thoughts about the world provide thought-provoking and timeless commentary on the ever-evolving landscapes of fashion, art, and beauty, as well as life at large.

Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has To Travel is not merely a tribute to an icon, but a celebration of life. It’s a testament to the power of creativity and vision, and how an unyielding spirit can transform an industry and inspire generations. This film is an absolute must-watch for anyone fascinated by fashion, history, or simply the art of living fully and fearlessly. It will indeed leave you with Vreeland’s enduring philosophy that “the eye has to travel,” a mantra on curiosity, exploration, and continuing to see the beauty in the world.