Anna Wintour

Anna Wintour
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Name	Anna Wintour
Caption	Wintour in 2018
Birth date	3 November 1949
Birth place	London, England
Education	North London Collegiate School
Occupation	Journalist, editor
Title	Editor-in-Chief, American *Vogue*, Global Chief Content Officer, Condé Nast, Artistic Director, Condé Nast
Spouse	David Shaffer, 1984, 1999, Shelby Bryan, 2004, 2020
Parents	Charles Wintour, Eleanor Trego Baker

Anna Wintour is a British-American journalist and editor who has served as the editor-in-chief of American *Vogue* since 1988. As a dominant figure in the fashion industry, she is renowned for shaping global fashion trends and for her influential role at Condé Nast. Her distinctive personal style, characterized by her signature bob haircut and sunglasses, has made her an iconic presence well beyond the pages of her magazine.

Early life and education

Anna Wintour was born in Hampstead, London, to father Charles Wintour, the editor of the London Evening Standard, and American-born mother Eleanor Trego Baker. Her early exposure to media and fashion was significant, with her father often seeking her opinion on layouts for his newspaper. She was educated at the independent North London Collegiate School but left at age 16, having clashed with its strict uniform policy. She began her career in fashion immediately, taking a training course at Harrods and later working at a boutique on King's Road in Chelsea.

Career at Vogue

Wintour's editorial career began in the early 1970s at two British magazines, *Harper's & Queen* and *Viva*. After moving to New York City, she held positions at *New York* and *House & Garden* before becoming the creative director of American *Vogue* in 1983. In 1986, she was named editor-in-chief of British *Vogue*, revitalizing the publication. Her landmark appointment as editor-in-chief of American *Vogue* came in 1988. She revolutionized the magazine by mixing high fashion with accessible elements, featuring celebrities like Madonna and Britney Spears on its cover. She also championed photographers such as Annie Leibovitz and Steven Meisel, and played a pivotal role in establishing events like the Met Gala and the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund.

Influence and legacy

Anna Wintour's influence extends far beyond magazine publishing into the broader fashion industry and popular culture. She is widely credited with democratizing fashion coverage and is a powerful kingmaker for designers; her early support was crucial for labels like John Galliano, Michael Kors, and Marc Jacobs. The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefits immensely from her stewardship of the Met Gala, which she has chaired since 1995. The fictionalized portrayal of her by Meryl Streep in the film *The Devil Wears Prada* cemented her status as a cultural icon. Her editorial decisions are seen as setting the agenda for the entire industry, influencing retail, design, and media.

Personal life

Wintour was married to child psychiatrist David Shaffer from 1984 until their divorce in 1999; they have two children, Charles Shaffer and Katherine Shaffer. From 2004 to 2020, she was married to telecommunications executive Shelby Bryan. A longtime resident of New York City, she maintains an apartment in Greenwich Village and a country home in Mastic Beach. She is an avid tennis fan, regularly attending the US Open and Wimbledon, and is a dedicated supporter of the Democratic Party, having hosted fundraisers for figures like Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

Awards and recognition

Wintour has received numerous accolades for her contributions to fashion and journalism. She was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2008 for her services to British journalism and fashion in the U.S., and was promoted to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2017. She has been inducted into the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame and received the CFDA's Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2021, she was awarded the Legion of Honour, France's highest order of merit.

Category:1949 births Category:Living people Category:British fashion editors Category:Editors of Vogue (American magazine)