She is a warrior, and her sunglasses are her armor– Anna Wintour fascinates me! I see her at every fashion show I attend, looking exactly the same each time (I suspect her hairstylists measures her hair to the millimeter lest they cut too short or not enough). The hair, the sunglasses, the face without emotion; the woman has self control! It’s at once fabulous, creepy and utterly intimidating. Which is, of course, her intention. I keep repeating this story but I once ran smack into her at fashion week. It was my first season and I didn’t know where the hell I was going and literally smacked into her. She looked at me up and down (I was wearing an Alberta Ferretti dress) and the corners of her mouth lifted for about a quarter of a second which could have been a twitch but I prefer to think it was a tiny smile. I did not imagine this because I was about an inch from her face. The entire encounter lasted mere seconds but I will never forget it! Anyhoo, Morley Safer interviewed Anna on 60 minutes and try as he might, he could not crack the armor! I was rooting for Anna from the beginning. Morley began the interview by asking how she felt about being hated and called a rude bitch. You could see on her face that she thought he was a total fool! If looks could kill, Morley boy would have been laying on the floor with a dagger through his heart. Watch the video and tell me: love her or hate her?
I admire her, started reading Vogue 20 years ago when she was new to the job. I still only read the US Vogue no other compares. I enjoyed the book and the movie but I think she has the last laugh! Yes, if looks could kill…. but how else would you answer rude questions like; “Are you a bitch?”
It is hard to say you can hate someone that works so hard in fashion to produce Vogue which is practically printed art.
I like her. Always have. Elle est une femme volontaire. I think Safer appeared as a fuddy-duddy who doesn’t know shit about fashion.Too bad the interviewer wasn’t Barbara Walter. He repeats the same old criticisms of her and expects her to agree or disagree and defend herself. Most interesting was the inside look at the Vogue offices and editing process (even if it was staged). Oh and $200,000 fashion budget, yeah right!!! Thanks for posting this!
I think she’s good at her job, but personally, she’s quite insecure in that environment she’s chosen to spend her life in. I prefer Roitfeld from Paris Vogue, who is authentic as well as proficient.
Tina, thanks for posting this! I personally prefer Harper Bazar over vogue. That said , I have always admired Anna Wintour and I have to agree with Nora that the question “Are you a bitch” is tre RUDE! It’s a typical question whenever there is a successful woman! Fashion is a dog eat dog world and Ms. Wintour has survived for so many years at the top and that is a feat in itself. Had it been a man, no one would ask if he is an “sob.”
As for 60 minutes, I can’t understand why they send Morley Safer, but then again, Anna can eat someone like that for breakfast (and i say that with admiration!:)
The woman has destroyed American Vogue with a parade of unattractive celebrities that tell the same story year in and year out. Really, how many times do I need to read about the non-existent style of Kate Hudson, Sandra Bullock, Drew Barrymore, or Reese Witherspoon?
Funny story Tina!
I think she is a woman who knows what she wants and always gets it.
As for the magazines it’s a personal choice. Who says Drew Barrymore has less style than an emaciated teenage model with the drugged blank stare on the cover?
I fine actresses interesting.
She’s turned the magazine into a tabloid. Who’s next Kate Gosselin or Nadia, the octomom? I find the actressthat make the cover boring. She has stripped the magazine of the unique status it once held and turned it into the Hollywood flavor of the month. Not that actresses aren’t interesting, some are, however, she tends to focus on the most uninteresting ones. Take a look at the covers of vogue for the past 6 years, every Drew Barrymore or Kate Hudson cover looks exactly alike. As for the drugged blank stares of teenagers, I’d take any one of the current crop of teen models over the waste of space that is Drew Barrymore.
Anna Wintour gave a much needed boost to Vogue when she took charge. American fashion publications are never going be as edgy as Europeans or as fresh as Asian magazines because at end of the day fashion is still business. In America these magazines are not targeted at a niche market but designed to appeal to mainstream. So, in order to keep those circulation numbers up they have to put those actresses on the covers.
OMG PING – SO TRUE! If a successful man was interviewed, he’s seen as someone “in charge” despite the enemies he may have made. No interviewer says, “Hey, I heard they call you an SOB or DBag.” Such a double standard for women. I have to say I don’t love or hate Ms. Wintour, but I do admire anyone who works hard at what they do, and can do well for decades. I just wish the fashion magazines would go back to fashion. I could care less about Hollywood and its tartlets. Please bring back the REAL models on the cover!
I think she is a very facsinating person. I think someone else at 60 minutes should have done the interview, he did a terrible job. As far as the Vogue magazine goes I think it is need of a total makeover. I still subscribe but do not read it immediately. The only magazine I open right away is Allure.
Sorry, I’m British, so we don’t get 60mins over here, but who is this old fool?!? So, condescending, thinking he’s so much better than fashion people – grr!
Anna seems perfectly businesslike – as one should be when your heading up one of the world’s biggest magazines. As I’m rapidly learning at work, you don’t get anywhere by being simply “nice”!
I don’t think she should have had to justify herself – they should have thrown him out after ten minutes!!
I love Anna Wintour!! She has so much passion for what she does everyday. The world of fashion would not be what it is today without her constant input. I think, in a way, our own fashion choices have been shaped by her personal preference. Wintour has such an influence on what comes out each season, which then trickles down to us commoners to choose from. That is a LOT of power for one woman!
Anna looks great at 59….she looks to be about 40…I detected evidence of a facelift (horizontal wrinkles under the eyes when she smiles) and fillers – nonetheless, I hope I look at least as good when I’m 59!
She has that 60’s “cool” bearing – I think its more of that than snobbery or anything negative.
Anna Wintour, where do I begin? This woman is truly a fashion goddess! She has the ultimate control in the fashion industry, as she has the power to make or break any fashion designer. While I really like Carine Roitfeld as well, I do not think that she has the notoriety or power as the infamous Wintour. As for the “reported” $200,000 clothing allowance, I highly doubt that is all that she gets, as one of her gorgeous furs cost between $15,000 and $50,000. I have no idea who ever will be able to take the place of Anna Wintour once she leaves Vogue. I dread to even think of it!
Waiting with bated breath for her to leave Vogue fashion is about change and this woman is stuck in a fashion rut along with the magazine. I purchased every issue until about 5 years ago when I realized that they were all practically the same.
She was once my idol…But am I the only one that see’s American Vogue as boring and lifeless next to it’s French and Italian counterparts? All her spreads look the same- jumping in front of plain backgrounds, striking corpse like poses (many times in black and white)…. zzzzzzzz!! Carine Roitfeld has breathed so much more creativity into French Vogue, I hope Americans will soon see a change of pace because it’s time for Anna to retire!
PS: She wears a wig!