Anna Wintour: A Figure of Vogue Magazine

BACKGROUND OF ANNA WINTOUR

Anna Wintour, born on November 3, 1949, in Hampstead, London, grew up in a family deeply connected to journalism and culture. Her father, Charles Wintour, was the editor of the London Evening Standard from 1959 to 1976, known for his innovative approach to journalism and often consulting Anna for her insights on engaging younger readers. Her mother, Eleanor "Nonie" Trego Baker, was an American from Pennsylvania, adding a rich blend of British and American influences to Anna's upbringing. This unique cultural and intellectual background was further enriched by her education at North London Collegiate School, where she notably defied traditional dress codes, including shortening her skirt hemlines and adopting her iconic pageboy bob hairstyle at the age of 14. Her early fascination with fashion, sparked by watching Cathy McGowan on Ready Steady Go! and reading Seventeen magazine sent by her grandmother, laid the foundation for her future career.

Wintour's family connections were also significant, including her paternal grandfather, Major-General Fitzgerald Wintour, a respected British military officer, and her paternal grandmother, Alice Jane Blanche Foster, who links her to historical figures such as Lady Elizabeth Foster, the novelist and Duchess of Devonshire. Her great-great-great-grandfather, Frederick Hervey, 4th Earl of Bristol, was an Anglican Bishop. In her personal life, Wintour had four siblings, including her older brother Gerald, who tragically died in a traffic accident, and her younger brother Patrick, who is a journalist and currently the diplomatic editor at The Guardian. Her other siblings, James and Nora, have pursued careers in local government and international non-governmental organizations, respectively. Wintour was married to psychiatrist David Shaffer from 1984 to 1999, and they have two children, Charles and Katherine. This rich family background and early experiences significantly influenced her career and shaped her prominent role in fashion journalism.

FIGURE OF VOGUE
Wintour's journey with Vogue magazine, which is a key part of her career, elevated her to become one of the most powerful figures in fashion. She started her career in fashion journalism with British magazines like Bazaar and New Look, which provided her with a solid foundation in fashion reporting. Moving to the United States in the early 1980s, she worked at New York magazine and House & Garden, gaining a deeper understanding of the American fashion scene. Her success in 1985 as Editor of British Vogue showcased her ability to modernize the magazine and make it more relevant to current fashion trends, setting the stage for her next significant role.

In 1988, Wintour became the Editor-in-Chief of American Vogue, taking on the challenge of revitalizing a magazine perceived as outdated. Under her leadership, American Vogue transformed into a leading fashion magazine, focusing on high fashion and celebrity coverage, which solidified Vogue's position as a major player in the fashion world. Wintour introduced several key changes, including popularizing the "Vogue cover" and using the magazine to promote new designers and trends. Her influence also extended to the Met Gala, a major fashion event she has led, further boosting Vogue's status. Her impact on Vogue has been profound and enduring, turning the magazine into a global fashion authority and demonstrating her lasting influence and vision in fashion and publishing.