The Business of Being Anna

As the most influential figure in fashion today, Anna Wintour has the power to shape the fashion industry. She has the ability to not only make or break a designer, but can change the fashion economy. As the iconic editor of US Vogue since 1988, Wintour has carved out a career in the industry most people can only dream of.

Showing how far her influence stretches, when the New York fashion industry was struggling in 2009, Wintour approached Mayor Michael Bloomberg and proposed a late-night shopping party. Although people were hesitant at the idea of promoting shopping with the state of the economy, Wintour was not someone you could say no to.  Calling on her celebrity, fashion and business contacts, Fashion's Night Out was an overwhelming success with foot traffic in stores increasing almost 50%.  Wintour didn't stop at New York. The following year she called a meeting of 30 international Vogue editors to brainstorm global initiatives to help the fashion economies around the world.

This drive and self-belief has captured the imagination of fashion lovers everywhere, with Wintour recently appearing on the cover of the Wall Street Journal.

Most believe Wintour is the subject of the 2003 bestselling novel The Devil Wears Prada. However, it was not until the release of the documentary The September Issue, that people got an insight into the woman behind the infamous bob.

A force to be reckoned with, Anna Wintour will go down in history as arguably the most influential person in the history of fashion.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/news/anna-wintour-and-the-business-of-being-vogue/story-e6frg90x-1226027463362

Image by Mario Testino.