WHAT GREAT JUICY STUFF THAT YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW
CBS just aired a special on Anne Wintour. For those of you who have been in a deep sleep for the last 21 years, she runs American Vogue magazine. She is feared, obsessed and incredibly good at what she does. One word of her, a frown, a nod or a smile (we hear this happens not so often) determines who makes it and what makes it in the fashion world.
Some 10.2 million viewers tuned in, which seems a lot especially as I read that Barack Obama had a modest 25.1 million viewers in comparison last November.
For obvious reasons, I find absolutely nothing wrong with a strong, fierce and fearless woman running her empire. Especially in the fashion world where trends change two to four times a year. Every day a more beautiful, younger and talented version with more money than you shows up and has an agenda. Mostly not a friendly one but that has a clear intention to take your spot if you should be so negligent and not pay attention for a nanosecond. To remain so tightly seated on your fashion throne is an art in itself and one that you and I must learn from.
What exactly does it take to stay at the top of the helm for so long? The secret of success in the world of fashion and celebrity is the same that photographers such as Matthew Rolston, Andrew Eccles and Gilles Bensimon have figured, too. You can never rest, you are always on and you must take your profession very seriously. To get to that level and to stay there becomes what your life is about. Anything less and you might make it to a comfortable middle segment but the top is reserved only for those special few who are willing to become what they need to portrait and live and breathe that.
The more juicy stuff comes out as we hear that Anna Wintour has a daily hair and make-up artist for each day of the week (courtesy of her employers) and receives in addition to her salary a juicy $200,000 clothing budget. This comes on top of all the freebies and incentives she receives from those who want to keep her on their good side.
“People respond well to people who know what that want.” And that she certainly does know what she wants and for that – I pay my respects to Anna Wintour.
Here’s an excerpt from the interview:
“I understand that. But where people made comparisons with you – that coldness, that Anna must not be spoken to when she’s on the elevator,” Safer pointed out.
“Oh yeah. I heard that. You’re not allowed to get in the elevator with me,” Wintour said laughing.
“Well, you can get on, but just keep your mouth shut. Is that true?” Safer asked, laughing.
“That’s an exaggeration. I guess in response, I can only say that. I have so many people here, Morley, that have worked with me for 15, 20 years, and, you know, if I’m such a bitch, they must they must really be a glutton for punishment because they’re still here,” Wintour said.”Well, I wouldn’t use the word ‘bitch.’ I would say a certain coldness,” Safer remarked.
“Well, we’re here to work. There’s on duty time and off duty time and we’re drawn together by our passion for the magazine. If one comes across sometimes as being cold or brusque, it’s simply because I’m striving for the best,” she explained.
“It’s not like a tea party here. We work very hard,” Vogue’s editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley told Safer.
He has worked with Anna for decades. Asked what kind of boss she is, Talley told Safer, “Let’s say that Anna can be intimidating. I think that’s her armor, to intimidate. To give the people the sense that she is in charge.”
Watch the segment and read the article here: Anna Wintour
