In brief
In an interview, Anna Wintour shares insights on her role in the fashion world, the immersive exhibition "VOGUE: Inventing the Runway," and her reflections on the industry's evolution.
In a recent interview about the exhibition “VOGUE: Inventing the Runway,” Anna Wintour, the long-standing editor-in-chief of Vogue since 1988, shares her thoughts on style and the concepts of visibility and invisibility embodied by her famous sunglasses. Sitting in a dimly lit venue, Wintour's shades remain a defining characteristic throughout the discussion. When asked about the purpose behind her iconic glasses, she states, “They help me see and they help me not see,” highlighting their dual role as both functional and a theatrical prop.The exhibition, hosted within the technologically advanced Lightroom in London, takes visitors through a vibrant history of fashion shows, combining Vogue's vast archives with innovative audio-visual presentations. Wintour notes how, after years of attending runway events, maintaining excitement can be challenging, but she aims to ensure audiences feel the thrill of live fashion presentations.Having spent countless hours waiting for shows to start—some notably tardy, like Marc Jacobs' infamous 90-minute delay—Wintour reflects on the meticulous nature of punctuality, a trait she values highly. Contrasting the elitist nature of early 20th-century fashion, Wintour applauds today’s democratization, where everyone, including icons like Beyonce and Rihanna, are part of the fashion experience. As an influential figure behind events like the Met Gala, Wintour also addresses comparisons to the fictional character Miranda Priestly from "The Devil Wears Prada." She downplays these links, emphasizing her commitment to creativity within her role rather than maintaining a specific public persona. Throughout her career, Wintour has been a pivotal force in shaping the modern fashion landscape, merging the worlds of style and celebrity. While echoing sentiments of not taking 'no' for an answer, she acknowledges that it is a crucial term, advocating for boundaries in her professional interactions. Now at 75, she expresses no intention of stepping down from her position, continuing her journey with Vogue, where she remains an emblematic figure of industry resilience and innovation.“VOGUE: Inventing the Runway” will run until April 2025 at the Lightroom, highlighting the evolving narrative of fashion through Wintour’s discerning lens.
