The Beautiful, Iconic, Influential, Poise, Confident Anna Wintour is an International fashion icon for her work as editor in chief for Vogue Magazine. She is known for her oversized dark glasses, high heels, sharp bob hairstyle and that icy demeanor.
Early Life
Before she became a fashion powerhouse Anna was born in London, England the eldest daughter to Charles Wintour and Elinor Wintour on November 3rd, 1949. She was born into a family with considerable wealth but Wintour had the tendency to do things her own way even at an early age. When she was a teenager she decided to drop out of her fancy finishing school and forgo her academics and desired to live the life around the tony London life of the 60's. Age 15 was the beginning of her signature hairstyle and it really has not changed since then. She loved hanging out in some of Londons clubs where some of pop cultures biggest stars were, including the Beatles and Rolling Stones.
Early Editorial Days
Before the days at Vogue, Anna started in the fashion department of Harper's & Queen in London. Over the next few years she rose up the editorial ladder from London to New York and in 1976 she became fashion editor at Harper's Bazaar. For the next few years Anna was editor for many different magazines, Viva, Savvy & British Vogue. She always said that she "Loved coming in and changing magazines." the people at all these different magazines loved what she had to offer and were behind her 100 percent. Wintour had sharp critiques and lack of patience soon earned her a few memorable nicknames "Nuclear Wintour" and "Wintour of Our Discontent." though she loved it she said " I'm the Conde Nast hit man."
Rise to the Top and Taking Charge
1988 Anna was named editor-in-chief of Vogue. The magazine needed help it was falling it had been at the forefront of the fashion world since the early 60's. Wintour was given all the freedom and financial backing that she needed to revitalize the publication. In two-decades Anna has accomplished her mission, restoring Vogue's preeminence and beyond exceeding some huge editions magazines. In the September 2007 issue weighed almost five pounds the most ever for a monthly magazine.
Fashion Powerhouse
Wintour has become a force in the fashion world not only with her decisions about her magazine, but also by breakthrough newer designers and showing off their beautiful talent. She helped launch careers for Marc Jacobs and Alexander McQueen. Through the years with this much power and influence comes along a well documented ego. She developed a reputation for being aloof and cold. People have said she is hard to work with and insists her staff to be very fashion forward. She has said "I'm very driven by what I do, I am certainly very competitive. I like people who represent the best at what they do, and if that turns you into a perfectionist than maybe I am." One of Wintour's former assistants wrote The Devil Wears Prada (2006) a fictionalized account of her days at Vogue. The main character played by Meryl Streep, was a demanding boss unlike Wintour.Charity and Personal Life
It does not faze Wintour much about comments made about her in the media. But one thing she does not get recognized for often is her charitable work. She had raised money in support of the Twin Towers after September 11th. She is on a council of fashion designers for America who help create new funds to help support new and up coming designers. Each year she organized a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's costume department, which brings in $50 million. Also not to mention Fashions night out in New York City.
Anna Wintour is an amazing woman that has changed history for not only fashion but also women who want to be able to work and do what they love. She will continue to amaze us who have an undying love for fashion and each monthly issue of Vogue magazine.
XOXO~
