Mar 18, 2024
There's no denying that Anna Wintour is a fabled fashion icon. Although she has landed on the world stage through her many roles—she is editor-in-chief of Vogue, global chief content officer of Condé Nast, co-chair of the Met Gala, and the unspoken leader of the fashion universe—there’s surprisingly little known about her. Well, aside from her iconic bob and Chanel sunglasses.
Beyond the occasional whisper or tabloid spread, her rise from London girl to mercurial editor-in-chief has gone mostly uncharted—until now. In the new biography Anna, journalist Amy Odell explores Wintour's journey through the publishing ranks, highlighting how she built an empire that changed fashion media forever—and did it all before the age of 40.
While there are many shocking facts to relish throughout the Anna Wintour biography—including conflicts with romantic partners, familial scandals, and less-than-glamorous assistant duties—there is one unwavering constant: Wintour's eye for style. The dame has always stayed ahead of trends while simultaneously setting them.
This is illustrated at the beginning of the biography when Wintour lands a job at Harpers & Queen (now known as Harper’s Bazaar) in the '70s. Even from the onset of her career, Odell notes, “Anna’s style and grooming were attended to as if she was constantly starring in a fashion editorial. She got blowouts and bangs three times a week and wore clothes by cool designers.”
Keep reading to discover more of Wintour's early style signatures, many of which have become iconic over the decades. You can learn more about Wintour’s style by purchasing the new biography.
Anna Wintour Style Signatures
Wintour’s wardrobe throughout the biography is often a sign of the times. So, it’s no surprise that when dominating the workforce in the ’80s, she would opt for a designer synonymous with the power suit: Saint Laurent. Sleek and sophisticated, the French designer speaks to Wintour’s clean aesthetic and affinity for heritage houses. Though keen to make her mark, Wintour would often add unique accents to her outfits, such as fur—which would turn out to be an important (and famously controversial) texture through her Vogue tenure.
While always one to march to the beat of her drum, it’s important to note that Wintour is British and, therefore, partial to a Liberty blouse or two. She often punctuates the iconic top with balloon pants and Chanel sunglasses. Today, she is rarely seen without the signature shades, which she may sport for one of two reasons. The first: to hide what she is thinking. The second: to strengthen her vision, as it’s rumored that Wintour has acute light sensitivity.
One thing that’s abundantly clear in the Anna Wintour biography is that she is unafraid of marching to the beat of her own drum. This has been apparent since her very first Vogue cover in November 1988, for which she put a model in blue jeans—a disruptive move for a time when denim seemed too casual for magazine covers. This same uniqueness is apparent in own her wardrobe as well. Wintour regularly sported up-and-coming designers such as Kenzo and Issey Miyake, both of whom infused contemporary and classic details throughout their collections.
As noted in the biography, Wintour was back at the British Vogue offices just a week after giving birth to her second child, Bee Shaffer—so it’s no surprise that she wouldn’t sport just regular old maternity clothes throughout her pregnancy. She also wouldn't be convinced to ditch her signature Manolo Blahnik heels. The brand is a longtime favorite of the fashion vet's, likely because of its comfort and stylish appeal. Wintour's right about one thing: its Tora pumps pair effortlessly with any Alaïa dress.
