'The Vogue Factor': Kirstie Clements Discusses Life As Australian Vogue Editor

I think it's fair to say that in every Australian girl's life she has, at some stage, dreamed of becoming the editor and chief of the biggest name in Australian fashion magazines. Australian Vogue. What could be better than rubbing shoulders with the best designers in the world, partying with Karl, visiting fashion shoots and getting free front row seats to every runway in fashion week. That's Paris Fashion Week, of course. I can personally say that I have envisioned myself perched behind the desk of one of the most influential fashion magazines of all time...wearing Jimmy Choos and the most recent Yves Saint Laurent blazer naturally. This may have to do with the fact that I've seen 'The Devil Wears Prada' more times than you've showered in your life (that is, if you manage to keep an adequate hygiene routine), and have a pile of fashion magazines so high I have to stash them away when new people come over to my house...you know, just so they don't think I'm obsessed or anything. So when I found out that former editor in chief of Australian Vogue, Kirstie Clements, was holding talk during the LMFF (that's L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival for the rookies), I jumped on the opportunity to go. The captivated audience listened intently as Clements spoke of the stories behind the fashion headlines, her newly released book, 'The Vogue Factor', and discussed her experience of being one of the biggest names in the Australian fashion industry. Dirt and all.

Held in South Yarra at the Nellie Castan Gallery, Kirstie Clements in Conversation promised to be one of the most exciting events offered on the 2013 LMFF cultural program. Understandably there was a significant turn out, and the whole audience (me included) were hanging off Clements' every word. She immediately struck me as a very sensible women and she sat before us, a pioneer of one of the most arduous and formidable industries, quite humbly. She was charismatic and comfortable in front of an audience, yes, but was by no account haughty or boastful as one might expect from someone so esteemed. When listening to her speak, I marvelled at the apparent fantasy life she had; Touring China with George Armani, accompanying Karl Largerfeld to cocktail parties, gaining tickets to every runway of every fashion week all over the world and one particular instance of being with Anna Wintour in Japan, where they were swamped by fans.

It became apparent however, when discussing her surprising dismissal from the Vogue position early last year, that her career wasn't only the dream-like fantasy that society makes it out to be. As well as her shocking sacking we heard other tales of Clements struggling to get Australian Vogue the recognition it deserved, her growing sense of feeling marginalised within the industry and the shame of always being compared with her American counterpart, Anna Wintour. "I believe Australian Vogue has a very low recognition", she stated, when discussing the Australian magazine's success in comparison to that of French and American Vogue, which she described as the "fashion power houses". In Australia, with a smaller fashion industry, population and economy, Clements had to push that little bit harder to get Australian Vogue the recognition it deserved. Through all the dirt and grit of the profession however, she managed to uphold a deep passion for what she did. "Passion is the key element...it's hard work, not a princess job", was her answer to a question regarding how she maintained the taxing position for ten years. For Clements, it was this passion for hard work, her admiration for the best designers, hairstylists, writers and models that made it "the most stimulating job" and one of her main motivations was "always the reader".

Needless to say, the entire audience left the small and unassuming gallery, carrying much more wisdom with regards to most esteemed positions in the Australian fashion industry. It was incredible to hear of her deep motivation, strength and, yes, the unbelievable stories of haute couture gowns and having the world's fashion elite as her colleagues. It was an enriching experience to hear first hand from Clements what goes on behind the closed doors of Australian Vogue and, though no longer there, I believe her legacy to Australian Vogue is something that will resonate through it's pages forever. Oh, and she also has a killer handbag collection now....so, lets be honest, all the hard work was most probably worth it.