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With Recessions Like This, Who Needs a Recovery?

The January issue of Vogue, in its back-of-the-book Index section, lists 10 “inspired ideas” for the new year, “all in tune with environment- and recession-minded resolutions.”
No. 9 on the list is a sewing kit. That seems pretty practical. “Missing button?” reads the text. “Torn pocket? Take matters into your own hands (and keep tailoring bills in line) with Smythson’s ostrich-print calf-leather sewing kit.”
The price? Just $975.
It would take a lot of missing buttons for this baby to pay for itself. There are a few other not-very-cheap items on the list: a Derringer Cycles’ 1915 Limited Edition hybrid bicycle-motorbike ($4,800) and an Hermes alligator pocket watch ($1,950).
The cover girl on this issue is Anne Hathaway, who starred in The Devil Wears Prada as the assistant to a fashion magazine editor almost universally acknowledged to be based on Anna Wintour, of Vogue. The movie did not portray the editor in a remotely flattering light — which led me to wonder what sort of conversations were held over at Conde Nast to award Hathaway the cover. Perhaps Wintour has a greater sense of humor than is generally thought; in that case, perhaps the $975 sewing kit is just another joke?


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