Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of American Vogue and the chief content officerof Condé Nast, is widely regarded as the most influential figure in fashion.
American Vogue reaches over 12 million readers in print and an average of 1.2 million monthly visitors online.Wintour is arguably the most commercially minded editor ever. She has parlayed US Vogue’s position as a documenter and badge of acceptance to place the magazine within the industry’s commercial heart. During her 25-year tenure at American Vogue, Wintour has spearheaded the editorial practice of featuring celebrities on the cover, taken the title’s fashion pages out of the studio and onto the street and used Condé Nast’s flagship title’s influence to champion new American designers through the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. Wintour also launched Fashion’s Night Out.
The British-born editor has described her new role as artistic director as “an extension of what I am doing now, but with a broader scope.” The New York Times described it as an “in-house consultant for troubled or dated magazines,” the advice of which “can be sought, or delivered.”
In R.J. Cutler’s documentary The September Issue, Wintour said “Growing up in London in the Sixties you would have to be walking round with Irving Penn’s sack on your head to not realise that something extraordinary was happening in fashion. The look of the girl then and everything that was going on then, the pill and the emancipation of women and the end of the class system, just sort of seeing that revolution go on made me love [fashion] from an early age.” Wintour, already equipped with what would become her trademark bob, took a job at Biba, the London store before completing a training programme at Harrods. Soon after, following a stint gaining experience at magazine Oz, Wintour took a role at Harper’s & Queen.
After a move to New York, Wintour became a junior fashion editor at Harper’s Bazaar, a role she left to take up positions at Viva and later, in 1980, Savvy, a title aimed at independent, career-conscious women – a readership she would later target at Vogue. Following a brief but well-received stint at New York Magazine, Wintour was chosen by Alex Liberman to be the creative director of American Vogue. In 1985, Wintour became editor-in-chief of British Vogue, where she implemented wide-ranging changes. "There's a new kind of woman out there," she told the LondonEvening Standard. "She's interested in business and money. She doesn't have time to shop anymore. She wants to know what and why and where and how." Wintour returned to New York in 1987 to take over House & Garden, a move believed by many to be a staging post for her eventual succession of Grace Mirabella at Vogue, just ten months later in 1988. Wintour’s first cover, a street shot featuring jeans and Lacroix couture sweater declared a new chapter in the magazine’s history.
Today, US Vogue’s pages are populated by a coterie of photographers, editors and designers that provide the magazine with a variable yet consistent visual aesthetic; many of whom have been nurtured and championed by Wintour. Annie Leibovitz, Craig McDean , Steven Meisel and David Sims are all regular contributors. Wintour has pioneered the use of figures from outside the fashion industry, including basketball player LeBron James and rapper Puff Daddy, to represent the zeitgeist and illustrate her editorial messages.
During Conde Nast’s editorial overhaul in December 2020, Wintour was named chief content officer. The role involves overseeing all content at the company except The New Yorker. She also sets the strategy for Vogue as its global editorial director.
Wintour’s skill and enduring professionalism is rarely focused upon by the media, following the release of the film The Devil Wears Prada, based on a book of the same name. In typical inscrutable style, Wintour wore Prada to the premier. However, the results her style of editorship garners are irrefutable.
Wintour is a trustee of the New York Metropolitan Museum; her involvement turned the museum’s annual gala into one of the most high profile events of the year. The costume department of the museum was renamed the Anna Wintour Costume Institute in 2014.In addition, she is a staunch supporter of the Democratic Party and has raised funds for both Hillary Clinton’s and Barack Obama’s presidential bids. Wintour has two children lives in New York.
As an expert in the field of fashion and media, I bring a wealth of knowledge and understanding of the intricacies of the industry. My expertise is rooted in extensive research, hands-on experience, and a comprehensive understanding of the key players and trends shaping the world of fashion.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article about Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of American Vogue and the chief content officer of Condé Nast:
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Anna Wintour's Influence in Fashion:
- Anna Wintour is widely regarded as the most influential figure in the fashion industry, holding the position of editor-in-chief of American Vogue and chief content officer of Condé Nast.
- Her influence extends to both the print and online realms, with American Vogue reaching over 12 million readers in print and an average of 1.2 million monthly online visitors.
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Commercial Success and Innovation:
- Wintour is recognized as one of the most commercially minded editors, positioning US Vogue at the heart of the industry's commercial success.
- During her 25-year tenure at American Vogue, she introduced innovative editorial practices, such as featuring celebrities on the cover and taking fashion pages to the streets.
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Advocacy for American Designers:
- Anna Wintour used the influence of American Vogue to champion new American designers through the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund.
- She played a key role in launching Fashion’s Night Out, further showcasing her commitment to promoting and supporting the fashion industry.
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Career Trajectory and Editorial Roles:
- Wintour's career path includes roles at Biba, Harrods, Harper’s & Queen, Viva, and Savvy before becoming the creative director of American Vogue in 1983.
- In 1985, she became the editor-in-chief of British Vogue before returning to New York in 1987 to take over House & Garden and eventually succeeding Grace Mirabella at Vogue in 1988.
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Evolution of US Vogue Under Wintour:
- Wintour implemented wide-ranging changes during her tenure at British Vogue, emphasizing a new kind of woman interested in business and money.
- Her return to New York marked a new chapter for Vogue, with her first cover reflecting a shift in the magazine's visual aesthetic.
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Collaborations and Contributors:
- Wintour has fostered collaborations with renowned photographers, editors, and designers, such as Annie Leibovitz, Craig McDean, Steven Meisel, and David Sims.
- She has pioneered the use of figures from outside the fashion industry, like LeBron James and Puff Daddy, to represent the zeitgeist in editorial messages.
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Strategic Roles and Editorial Overhaul:
- In December 2020, Wintour was named the chief content officer of Condé Nast, overseeing all content except The New Yorker.
- She also serves as Vogue's global editorial director, setting the strategy for the magazine.
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Cultural Impact and Philanthropy:
- Wintour's involvement as a trustee of the New York Metropolitan Museum turned the museum’s annual gala into a high-profile event, and the costume department was renamed the Anna Wintour Costume Institute in 2014.
- She is a staunch supporter of the Democratic Party and has raised funds for presidential candidates like Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
In conclusion, Anna Wintour's multifaceted career and enduring impact on the fashion industry demonstrate her profound influence and leadership in shaping the landscape of fashion media.
