FICRY

As if we needed more proof of the pending fashion world apocalypse (because bargaining on the floor of Saks Fifth Avenue last Christmas wasn’t enough), the self-titled “queen of snark” Maureen Dowd questions the relevancy of one Anna Wintour, Vogue editor-in-chief, deemed The Last Empress in her Sunday column. Dowd uses the new documentary on Ms. Wintour, imposingly-titled “The September Issue” after Vogue’s largest volume of the year, to assert the irrelevance of the dynamic diva, and the dream world of luxury she represents.

While rumors of Ms. Wintour’s demise as the reigning queen of haute couture have always been greatly exaggerated, these days declining ad sales are affecting even her untouchable realm. Magazines spines are shrinking just like those of the anorexic, soon-to-be-osteoporosis-ridden models on their front pages. Vogue sold 674 pages, nearly a quarter of its ad pages for the full year, in September 2008, which is shown in the video above, but the New York Post reports that this year’s September issue will just top 400 ad pages, which means a 41% decline from last September.

Anna Wintour attend the CFDA Fashion Awards at the New York Public Library on Monday, June 2, 2008

But perhaps we snark too soon. Just when we thought Anna Wintour was headed for the bargain bin, the Wall Street Journal reports that she’s turning her considerable talent in fashion alchemy to a new cause: joining legendary designer Diane von Furstenberg to give New York retail the boost it needs in this financial climate. Together, they’re sponsoring  an event called Fashion’s Night Out.

As the Journal reports, Ms. Wintour has united the editors of international Vogue editions behind this effort, and has even asked for the support of New York City’s Mayor Bloomberg, who simply asked that all five boroughs of the city be included in the event. According to the Journal, she even “wondered aloud if the U.S. should consider the systems in place in France and England, where sales are government-regulated and held only during sanctioned time periods.” With language like that, it is obvious what this burgeoning fashion ambassador should turn her attention to next. If her magazine does indeed go under, at least she can have a second career as the Angelina Jolie of the fashion set, traveling around the world to unite people behind the  basic human urge to snap up lipstick, neckties, and gowns!

According to Anna, after all, shopping is not a privileged pursuit but a basic instinct one that we’d do well to return to if we know what’s good for us, and the fashion industry, of course.

Anna Wintour, the first to arrive at a J. Mendel show.