A Look into the Life of....

Anna Wintour.  Why start anywhere but the top?  Since 1988, Anna has been editor in chief of American Vogue.  Before, she worked at multiple magazines after dropping out of school at aged 16.  She holds what is recognized as the most powerful position in the fashion industry, selling at least 400,000 copies of Vogue per issue.  In addition to being extremely successful in the editorial world, Ana is a style icon in her own right.  She can be identified by her pageboy bob, large sunglasses, and front row ticket to the hottest fashion shows. 


Anna was born November 1949.  It's hard to imagine a more fabulous time to be brought up in than fashionistas, 60's Britain'; time of mini skirts, boots, and hot sunglasses.  During this time a huge change in fashion occurred, and I'm sure Anna fell in love with not only the fashion, but the power and influence it had on young women.  The majority of her family was in publishing, including her father who was an editor of  the evening standard. So from a young Anna was exposed to the writing industry.  After leaving school at 16, she dated frivolously with older men while attending a fashion school in London.  Soon after, she began her semester there, she withdrew from the school, stating, "You either know fashion, or you don't."  She also worked for Harrods, the legendary department store in London.  Following, she worked for magazines Harper's and Queen, Harper's Bazzaar, Viva, Savvy, English Vogue, and finally New York Vogue. 

Under Anna's rein at Vogue, she altered the magazine radically.  Firstly, she took photo-shoots on location, rather than a studio, so covers were taken in the natural light.  She also incorporated low-end designers as well as high-end fashion, allowing real women to feel they could relate to the magazine.  This not only opened the magazine to a new audience, it also produced a base, in which women of that time were taught to love fashion.  Perhaps without that base fashion might not be so popular today.  Also Anna promoted Grace Coddington to Creative Director.  Grace is considered one of the best stylists in history.  Furthermore, Anna is constantly establishing relationships with new designers, and trying to promote their designs.  She has discovered many young designers and models, such as Thakoon.  Lastly, she created more acknowledgment for photographers, stylists, and makeup artists.  


With the high publicity, has come lots of criticism.  Anna's harsh personality was revealed with the publication of The Devil Wears Prada, a novel by Lauren Weisberger.  In it, the author exposed her horrible experience of being Anna's assistant.  Anna was apparently cruel, excessively bitter, and emotionally distant.  The New York Times has described her as the 'Nuclear Wintour' multiple occasions.  Also there has been a lot of controversy around her passion for fur.  Fur has been featured in Vogue many times, something that was unheard of in the past late century. 


In addition to beginning countless trends, Anna has a signature style too.  She is rarely caught without her big, black, sunglasses, worn to most events, including indoor fashion shows.  Her page-boy blond bob is also well-known and also unique.  Anna rarely wears pants, but instead wears different styled dresses, which are always well accessorized with expensive, étourdissement shoes, jewelry, or coats.  Surprisingly, Ana is rarely photographed with a bag.  Even when editors and fashionistas at fashion shows are pulling out pencils, paper, and laptops, Anna sits with her legs crossed, and never writes anything.


It's been well established that Anna is the créme de la créme of fashion and publishing.  For me, she is empowering and inspiring.  I can only dream I will one day be as successful as her.