Tuesday, October 16, 2012

ANNA WINTOUR


For almost 25 years, Anna Wintour has been the editor of Vogue Magazine.

Oh boy, has this pretty woman -- hand on her chin in this picture -- ever affected what you and I are wearing right now!

Robin Givhans, Pulitzer prize-winning fashion critic whose writing I like, and mostly trust, went on and on in a recent Newsweek article, about Anna Wintour – her new pals, old pals, her fund-raising for Obama, parties she's attended at celebrity homes, state dinners at the White House, fashion runway shows she's attended. The article is loaded with names of bankers, banker wives, ambassadors and other VIP'S with whom Anna has been socializing.

Gee, my brain's jammed with major things -- political wars, potential world wars, life and death things – and I found myself wondering why I was wading through this stuff -- is Wintour on the verge of leaving Vogue?

Vogue Magazine is bigger, richer, more important than ever -- is Wintour trying to make it bigger and, richer? For years, she's been recommending fashion designers. Whomever she recommends usually gets the job. (Not little jobs, these are the super, top-echelon, power positions in fashion.) Wintour helped J.Crew and The Gap get into Council of Fashion Designers of America; she raised $85 million for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. According to Givhans' article, Wintour is deeply involved with high-profile, powerful people from the worlds of fashion, film, music, sports, and, of course, politics.

She's 62, easily passing for 50, glamorously bedecked, usually in fanciful frocks that, of course, define fashion. Photos show that she personally prefers dresses, (not slacks), chooses heels rather than comfort, wears fur despite the fact that it's politically incorrect.

... Fur, frocks, and heels ...? Her preferences clash with mine ...

Givhans says Wintour is super influential, but for me, "super influential" is Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama; also commentator Rachel Maddow, Katie Couric, and culture-shaper Lady Gaga. Also, I pay attention to comments by Shirley MacLaine and Sandra Bullock, and I don't ignore, though I'd like to ignore, the fame-hungry Jennifer Lopez, who's into everything.

Hey, if you've got an up-and-coming someone you're observing, a person who's truly, seriously, on the verge of changing our world, let me know so I can read, and write about him or her.

Since Givhans has paid attention to Wintour, I'll pay attention, but aside from frocks, heels and fur, what she's doing, where she's heading ... well, it's just not clear.  All I see is a powerful woman who wants more power, and that gives me the heebie-jeebies.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't know if Anna Wintour has influenced what I wear, it's mostly jeans and hoodies.
Probably though.
This is the first time I've ever heard of her.
Sounds like she knew what she wanted at an early age and worked her whole life to get it.
You know the old saying, "With great power, comes great responsibility."
You're right, Em, she is an interesting person.
Is she much different from many of the powerful men in the world?
Only in that she is a woman.
Louise Sorensen
louise3anne twitter

OR said...

It is because she forgets that she is actually a woman. Female -- thus allowed to be gentle now and then; for real!

Anonymous said...

Interesting topic today Em. I am not familiar with Anna Wintour but I don't read Vogue magazine or keep up with the high rollers. She sounds rich and powerful and influential in our fashion world too. Thanks for sharing this informative blog about a famous woman. kam

OR said...

Yeah baby, I may be old fashioned, but a female in a frock whatever age or size -- (frock or woman) gets my vote over one in jeans and tee shirt any day. :)!

Maureen Jacobs said...

Incredible woman. She has helped women find their best fashion sense. I fondly remember the days of youth when I actually had the fashionable sense that was depicted in her magazine. I love every Fall edition as I would enjoy a bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream. That magazine always depicted my favourite fashion season with such vigor, I envied those who could afford every piece depicted. I wanted every sweater, every trouser, and every accessory. Good for you Ms. Em to blog about such a forward thinking woman.

If you want to write about an upcoming designer, please do write about George Zaharoff. He is opening his flagship store on 110 E Oak in Chicago in a collaboration with Ms. Marilyn Miglin. She will be housed in the store as well.