Anna Wintour's groundbreaking work at Vogue has established her as a major figure in the history of fashion journalism. Her knack for originality and attention to quality are emblematic of the best of the American character, demonstrating how one person's drive and commitment can transform a field and, ultimately, a country.
For almost 30 years, Anna Wintour, the legendary editor-in-chief of Vogue, has been the undisputed leader in the field of fashion journalism. Her editorial acumen and impeccable taste have shaped the history of fashion around the world.
Wintour's parents, a newspaper editor and a charity worker, set her up for success in the media from the start. She was born in London in 1949. She left school early to pursue a career in fashion at London's Harper's & Queen, driven by her enthusiasm for the industry.
Wintour's talent and perseverance took her to New York, where she quickly rose through the ranks of the fashion publishing industry. Before becoming the creative director at Vogue's archrival, House & Garden, in 1985, she worked at Harper's Bazaar, Viva, Savvy, and New York Magazine.
Wintour has been the editor of American Vogue since 1988, when she was promoted to that position. Her goal was to breathe new life into the publication, which had grown stale and irrelevant to its audience. When Wintour took over as editor of Vogue, she radically altered the magazine by emphasizing both high and low fashion and the lifestyle components of both. Her "fashion meets culture" ethos made Vogue more accessible and relevant, further establishing it as the premier fashion publication worldwide.
Because of her position as Vogue's editor-in-chief, Wintour is widely regarded as one of the most influential people in the fashion world. Her influence extends beyond the magazine and has an effect on the fashion industry as a whole, affecting everything from the careers of designers to the accepted standards of beauty in society.
Wintour's tenure as chair of the Met Gala, which began in 1995, catapulted the annual fundraising event to the pinnacle of fashion's social season. Since she's been in charge, the Gala has brought in millions of dollars for the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Wintour has received various awards and recognition for her work in the fields of fashion and media. For her contributions to British journalism and the fashion industry, she was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2008. To honor Anna Wintour's many achievements and services to the fashion business, the CFDA has renamed its annual media award the Anna Wintour Costume Center Leadership Award for 2019.