Anna Wintour strides into our interview, her signature dark sunglasses firmly in place.
The woman who has reigned as editor-in-chief of Vogue since 1988 is here for VOGUE: Inventing the Runway, an exhibition she conceptualized, exploring the history of the fashion show.
Set in a vast underground space illuminated by three enormous screens, the setting feels immersive.
Despite the dim lighting, Wintour’s sunglasses stay on. When I cautiously inquire if they’re a shield or a necessity for poor vision, she smiles enigmatically:
“They help me see and they help me not see. They help me be seen and not be seen. They are a prop, I would say.”
The exhibition, housed at London’s Lightroom, employs cutting-edge digital projections and soundscapes to recreate the magic of fashion’s most dazzling moments.
Narrated by Cate Blanchett, it offers visitors a glimpse into Vogue’s extensive archives, showcasing vibrant runway spectacles from history.
For Wintour, who has spent decades in the literal and figurative front row of fashion, the exhibition was an opportunity to share that world.
“For someone who goes to so many shows, you get used to the experience. But for most visitors, it’s about making them feel as though they’re actually there,” she says.
Her firsthand memories are legendary.
Recalling notoriously late fashion shows, Wintour shares how Marc Jacobs once started a show 90 minutes behind schedule.
“We all yelled at him so much that the next season, he started five minutes early!” By contrast, Gianni Versace’s punctuality was unwavering.
“It didn’t matter who wasn’t there—it could have been the Pope—he didn’t care,” she quips, noting her own “horribly punctual” nature.
The exhibition charts fashion’s transformation from an exclusive realm to a democratized industry.
Early 20th-century couture salons, once accessible only to a privileged few, contrast sharply with contemporary moments like Pharrell Williams’ debut Louis Vuitton show in 2023.
That event, held on Paris’ Pont Neuf, drew global stars and amassed over a billion online views.
“Now everyone can come to the party, which is as it should be,” Wintour reflects.
Highlights include unforgettable runway moments, such as Karl Lagerfeld’s Chanel show featuring a rocket launch or his Great Wall of China catwalk for Fendi.
“You couldn’t wait to see what he would come up with next,” Wintour says of Lagerfeld.
For over 40 years, Anna Wintour has been one of fashion’s most influential figures, shaping careers, curating trends, and orchestrating events like the annual Met Gala.
Yet her public persona often invites comparisons to Miranda Priestly, the icy editor immortalized by Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada.
When asked about the parallels, Wintour sidesteps neatly.
“It’s for others to decide if there are similarities,” she says, adding that her focus remains on the creative aspects of her role.
Though renowned for her steely resolve, Wintour dismisses the idea that she is unopposable.
“People say no to me all the time, and that’s a good thing. No is a wonderful word,” she insists.
At 75, Wintour shows no signs of slowing down.
Under her leadership, Vogue has evolved into a global brand, navigating the digital age where influencers and instant content dominate.
She has ensured Vogue remains the arbiter of taste, balancing creativity with its role as a major player in the fashion industry.
Fashion, Wintour emphasizes, is serious business.
“It’s frustrating when people perceive fashion as frivolous. It’s a huge industry that employs millions globally,” she says, positioning herself as both an ambassador and journalist.
When asked about retirement, she offers a measured response. “I have no plans to leave my job. Currently.”
VOGUE: Inventing the Runway runs at Lightroom, London, until April 2025.
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