World of Whimsical: HER GRACE

It is said inspiration can be found everywhere. We believe that it comes straight from the people. Nothing can shake up your mind and imagination more than another human being. We follow other people's histories to find motivation for us. That's why we look up to the unbelievably talented woman whose work make us simply happy. A real wonderwoman - Grace Coddington.

Grace Coddington as a model in NY

With her 50-year career in fashion Grace Coddington knows it from the bottom. Even though next to Anna Wintour she might look quiet and shy, she stole a spotlight from her famous boss thanks to J.R. Cutler's "September Issue". At first we would all admire her beautiful fashion stories published in Vogue for years, then the whole world started to love her in person. This charming, red-haired cat lover is the most inspiring woman in the fashion industry.

Karlie Kloss by Arthur Elgort for Vogue US

In 1959 Grace was only 18 when she left her family home in Anglesley, Wales. Her first step was straight to London, where she enroled in modelling school. The same year she won Vogue's modelling contest thanks to her first pictures taken by Norman Parkinson. In 1961 she survived a car accident that smashed her face. After two years of reconvalescence she came back to modelling.

After six years she realized that modelling is not what she'd like to do. She moved onto the other side of fashion: styling. She joined British Vogue as Junior Fashion Editor with hideous salary of 1,100 pounds per year.

Each editorial made by Grace is a story of some woman. She may be an American actress, Park Avenue princess, journalist

or whoever she will imagine.

Karen Elson by Mario Testino for Vogue US, 2008

In 1969 she became Mrs Chow, famous restaurateur Michael Chow's wife. At that time he ran a hip restaurant Mr Chow in Knightsbridge in London. The couple didn't last long as they split up after six months. In 1973 she met a photographer Willie Christie. Three years later they were married. She also helped him to get into Vogue. Unfortunately Willie couldn't live "with his boss" so they divorced in 1980. After that Grace becomes a "Calvin person" cutting her hair short and wearing business suits.

In 1986 British Vogue hired new editor-in-chief. Grace left her position as "Anna (Wintour) was much more into 'sexy'" then Grace was. A short time later in 1987 she became a design director at Calvin Klein in New York. That's when she met her long-time friend a hairstylist Didier Malige with whom she has lived for years (and lives with him today).

In 1988 she returned to Vogue, this time to its American edition. She also came back to working with Anna Wintour who became its editor-in-chief. She has been Vogue's US Creative Director since then.

Grace went the path from the Vogue's cover girl to its Creative Director

Julie Kavanagh, Grace's assistant in the 70's admits that almost all Coddington's friends are also her former assistants. Her charming personality won over everyone. One of them, Di James remembers their collaboration: "You felt you worked with her rather than for her. She can be steely and as stubborn as hell, but there is that vulnerable side which adds to cher charm. We all knew she cared about us." Grace confirmed it by saying: "If I get to like them, there's nowhere I wouldn't go to help them along".

Today Grace's impact on the way we see fashion is huge. She believes that each editorial must tell a story. Without its narrative side there is no meaning to it. Even though she works for probably the most powerful fashion magazine in the Universe, she has remained modest, a bit shy and beautifully talented. Remember that scene in "September Issue" when she gives a muffin to Raquel Zimmerman? That's who she is, an emperess of fashion and a friend to people.