Love her or fear her, Anna Wintour is one of — if not the most — influential people in the fashion industry. She may not have become an ambassador, but as of March 13, she adds artistic director of Condé Nast to her job description.
Wintour has been with Vogue for 25 years. She took the magazine in new and stunning directions when she decided to feature celebrities as cover stars. She has contributed immensely to the continued success of the fashion industry by chairing the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and starting Fashion’s Night Out despite the economic downturn that began in 2008. Now, while remaining editor-in-chief of Vogue, she will take on the position of artistic director created for her by Condé Nast executives. In this role, she will oversee the artistic direction of not only the publisher but a number of other publications by the company including The New Yorker and Vanity Fair. Her role as artistic director will also include the duties of S.I. Newhouse Jr., which include overseeing some of the editorial processes of the other publications. [via The Daily Beast]
I’m thrilled to see the changes she makes to Condé Nast’s publications and to the direction of the company as well. I see Wintour as a taste maker. That’s not to say that her opinions and views are the correct ones, but this is the woman who (after my mom, of course) taught me what style is. Also, although many criticize her coldness, I feel that it isn’t as much that she’s cold as ambitious. Maybe I feel like that because I’ve never met or worked for her before and I’m not close with anyone who has. But it is certain that she has great focus and drive, and above all, vision for her magazine. Hopefully she can channel that vision to revamp its parent company.
How do you feel about Anna Wintour, Lovelies? Do you think she’ll bring a fresh take to Condé Nast?
guest
I enjoy Vogue magazine because it takes fashion design and raises it to almost the level of high art. In fact. I’ve used some of their layouts for my art classes. So, if she can do this for another fashion magazine, then I’m all for it.
guest
Style and design-wise, she seems to be capable of making only good decisions. She’s definitely successful and extremely good at what she does. I’m usually one to criticize her coldness, but maybe it’s somewhat necessary to be that way in order to get where she is right now. I prefer to be nice to people and I don’t expect my ass to be kissed, but I’m never going to be the editor of Vogue either. So there you go.
guest
I don’t care too much about who she is as a person (I assume she went through hardships herself and wouldn’t perceive herself as being overly harsh)….my personal feeling: not so good.
I
think when one person has so much influence, she will automatically
excercise social pressure according to her stylistic wishes (well she
already does), and fashion dictates do more harm than good. People
should get creative themselves, express themselves, and judge for
themselves (or rather they shouldn’t judge too much when it comes to
other people’s style), not feel bound to listen to some “fashion
authority” .
Of course if that happens, that’s not her
personal fault, but the fault of those who decide to look up to her, and
be dismissive because “Vogue says so” and “SHE knows what style is”. I
know many who already use Vogue as THE guide and usually it’s the same
who think they can decide that other people aren’t dressed ‘well’, or
generally don’t look good. Not everyone is as ‘open minded’ as you. And then there are the ones’ who are impressed by what some other people say. It’s just some sort of dynamic I don’t like.